1 # **Annual Report of Alcombe Methodist Church** # _1[st] September 2020 – 31[st] August 2021_ ## **Reference and administrative details** - Alcombe Methodist Church is a Registered Charity, No 1147036.  **Correspondence Addresses:** Jean Armin, Alcombe Methodist Church secretary Mews End Cottage Quay Lane Minehead TA24 5QU arm1n_adm1n@btinternet.com ## **Managing Trustees** Jean Armin Patrick Armin Jen Bates Eileen Burley Margaret Ellis Margaret Nevell Jeanette Perkins Clive Wooldridge Lynne Wooldridge Christine Hope Janys Pentland _Acronyms used in this report are as follows:_ _**WSC** – West Somerset Circuit_ _**AMC** –Alcombe Methodist Church_ _**LA** – Local Arrangement_ _**LPCW** – Lay Pastoral & Community Worker_ _**LWP** – Leaders of Worship and Preachers_ _**WL** – Worship Leader_ 2 ## **Structure, governance and management** **Presbyter in pastoral charge** Rev Nick Lakin ## **Lay pastoral and community workers** Penny Williams Rose Woods (until March 2021) **Children’s & Families Worker** Rebecca Edwards ## **Church Stewards** Patrick Armin (Property) Jen Bates (UNTIL 1 JULY 2021) Christine Hope Margaret Nevell ## **Church Treasurer** Margaret Ellis (JEAN ARMIN FROM 4 AUG 2021) ## **Church Secretary** Jean Armin ## **Leadership structure** ## **Church Council Meetings** _(meeting twice per year)_ Presbyter in pastoral charge All members of the church who are willing to serve (SO 610 (x)) **Church Leadership Team** _(meeting as and when required)_ Presbyter in pastoral charge All church stewards Church secretary Church treasurer ## **Activities** ##  **Alcombe Methodist Church (AMC) is part of the West Somerset Circuit (WSC), whose Mission Statement states:** _‘We are committed to working together as a Circuit to enable personal growth and every church to be a place of welcome, love and acceptance in the name of Jesus Christ.’_ Alcombe Methodist Church and WSC are run according to the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. (Registered Charity No. 1132208.) ## **WORSHIP** 1. WSC produces in each quarter a plan for the worship of the whole circuit, which includes a planned preacher for each service held at AMC. The Church holds a public service of worship each Sunday morning at 10.30am. It holds a public service of Alternative Worship once per month at 6.30 pm on a Sunday evening. 2. On 23 March 2020, the church closed due to the national lockdown and remained closed until Pentecost Sunday, 23 May, 2021. During this time, worship was offered as a twice-weekly circuit video service at 10.30 am on Sunday mornings and at 7.30 pm on a Thursday evening. Weekly written devotions were circulated electronically where possible, and in paper format where required. From Sunday 23 May 2021, live worship resumed in the church building at 10.30 am each week. 3. When the church building is open for live worship, services of Holy Communion are held once per month in one of the morning worship services. 4. Clive Wooldridge is the accredited Worship Leader at AMC. Clive assists visiting preachers leading the worship services and will assist the Church Stewards in the leading of any Local Arrangement services that are planned at the church. 5. AMC works with ecumenical partners, whenever appropriate. 6. AMC is available for Baptisms and funerals, whenever required. It is also a registered building for the solemnisation of marriages. ## **PASTORAL CARE** Rev Nick Lakin, the WSC Superintendent Presbyter, has pastoral charge of AMC. He is oversight of the pastoral care of the church community and is assisted in this task by the Lay Pastoral and Community Workers, with Penny Williams holding particular responsibility for AMC. There is also a pastoral group system operating in the church, where each member and adherent is placed with a pastoral group leader, who share in the work of pastoral care. Circuit staff are kept informed of particular pastoral needs or requests, however, much of the pastoral work is undertaken by the pastoral group leaders. Except for the period when the church was closed, meetings of the church pastoral visitors take place as and when required, but at least once per annum. The church pastoral committee meetings offer an opportunity for that church to identify its pastoral needs, offer training, share experiences and thereby to promote good practice. During the pandemic, pastoral support was primarily offered via phone calls. ## **DISCIPLESHIP, NURTURE and LEARNING** Discipleship, Nurture and Learning at AMC covers a wide range of activities, which include… - a) A regular pattern of worship, prayer and fellowship groups, including rites of passage: baptisms, weddings and funerals - b) Annual ecumenical holiday club for children aged 5-11 c) Fortnightly on a Tuesday, coffee and chat meeting followed by Bible study & prayer - d) Church events for fellowship, fun and fundraising - e) Training for volunteer workers with children and young people - f) Bi-monthly Messy Church and weekly ‘Mustard Seeds’ toddler group - g) Safeguarding training is available for all those required to attend - h) Special worship occasions, including monthly ‘Alternative Worship’ - i) ‘Alcombe Friendship Centre’ meetings fortnightly for those who are alone and lonely, offering a cooked meal, an interesting talk and an opportunity for fellowship - j) During the period when the church was closed due to the pandemic, the above activities and events were temporarily suspended. ## **EVANGELISM AND OUTREACH** AMC is committed to support, encourage and challenge the members of the church in their life and mission. Evangelism and outreach is about having a Christian presence in the local community; being salt and light in the local area. This involves making connections with the various groups who use the building and moving outside the church building to make connections with the local community. AMC supports other charitable agencies, such as Action for Children, MHA, All We Can etc. AMC also actively supports the West Somerset Food Cupboard. AMC’s building serves as a venue for a wide variety of Church and community events. During the period when the church was closed due to the pandemic, most of these activities were suspended. ## **SAFEGUARDING** Lynne Wooldridge is the Church Safeguarding Coordinator who liaises between AMC and WSC on matters relating to safeguarding, and keeps the Church Council up to date with any changes in legislation and procedures. AMC holds a copy of the current WSC Safeguarding Policy document. The Church Council has adopted the church safeguarding policy and reviews this policy annually. WSC runs the Creating Safer Space Foundation Module as and when required so that all those who need to attend this training from AMC are able to do so. ## **COMMUNICATIONS** WSC produces a Circuit magazine, ‘The Messenger’, published ten times per year. This magazine is a showcase for events around the circuit, including AMC. AMC produces a weekly notice sheet to help disseminate information and to aid communication, which is circulated primarily electronically with paper copies being available for those who are not able to receive communication electronically. The church stewards have an important role in making sure that communication happens amongst the church community at AMC. During the pandemic, ‘The Messenger’ continued to be produced, being circulated electronically where possible. WSC has developed its own website, https://westsomerset.2day.uk/ Chaz Hardiman is the webmaster. ## **PROPERTY** Patrick Armin is the property coordinator for AMC, supported by the property committee, which meets as and when required. Patrick keeps an overview of all property matters within the life of AMC. Patrick made regular visits to the property during the pandemic to check security and respond to any maintenance issues that arose. ## **FINANCE** Margaret Ellis is the AMC treasurer, supported by the church secretary, Jean Armin. Margaret is responsible for overseeing the correct procedures and accounting relating to AMC church finances. ## **Achievements and performance** - **Main achievements of the year** During the period of the pandemic, the main achievement of the church was to maintain contact and pastoral support in appropriate ways, according to the context the pandemic restrictions allowed. Since the summer of 2021, the church hall has been used as a vaccination centre, which has enabled the church to provide support for the local community in this vital work during the pandemic. ## **Progress of Aims and Objectives for AMC during the period 01 09 19 – 31 08 20** UNTIL THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN BEGAN ON 23 MARCH 2020 AND AMC CLOSED, PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE TOWARDS ALL OF THESE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. To build up the life of the church and Circuit through a fortnightly lunchtime Bible Study and prayer. 2. To regroup pastoral care to be more effective 3. To review the future of the Organ School 4. To continue to hold a regular meetings of the Bright Hour and the Wesley Guild 5. To attend safeguarding training, including both foundation and refresher sessions, wherever required ## **Aims and Objectives for AMC during the period 01 09 20 – 31 08 21** The main aim for this Connexional year is to open the church whenever the managing trustees decided by majority vote that it is safe to do so and to gradually introduce whatever activities are deemed appropriate according to government and Methodist Church guidance. The managing trustees voted to open the church for live worship from Sunday 23 May, with restrictions in place according to the Risk Assessment prepared for this purpose. None of the other church activities were deemed possible for the remainder of this Connexional year. ## **Financial Review** ## _INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED accounts to be added here_ ## **Public benefit statement** The trustees of Alcombe Methodist Church have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the charity commission in exercising their responsibilities. This annual report has been approved by the Alcombe Methodist Church Council Meeting held on Wednesday 10 November 2021. Signed ……… _N P LAKIN_ …………………….. (Chair of the Church Council Meeting) CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Alcombe Methodisl Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2021 Clrcuit Circuit no 24125 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 temis 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 regist8r8d chanties are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1147036 Minister.. Rev Nicholas Lakin Church Stewards: Mr Patrick Armin Mrs Margaret Nevell Mrs Christine Hope Treasurer.. Mrs Je&n Arnlin Church R and P 2015.￿$ l of5 ATS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Alcombe Methodist Church UnrestrScted ReBtrfct•d Funds Fund8 Totsl¥ thla y•ar Totals last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest 8nd Investment Income 10,153 10.153 11,959 a3 23,082 23.082 2.760 77,984 113.979 25,807 a4 Lettin 2,760 2,093 as other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 77,984 113,979 63,668 103.527 a6 la71 SECTION 8 b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circurt Assessment or Share 36,199 36.199 39,398 b3 Donations 50 50 2,165 Re airs and Maintenan Ulililies {Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) Communi IFamil workerwa 914 914 2,174 b5 1.527 1.527 5,746 es 49.737 7,039 95.465 49,737 7,039 95,465 60.593 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 14.740 124,815 b8 Ib9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a6-b8 18,514 18,514 21,289 Total funds brought foMard from last year 86,639 65 86.704 ¢61 107,993 c3 Sub total c1+c21 105,153 65 105.218 86,704 Transfers and ad'ustmenls c7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR I¢3+￿) 105,153 65 105,218 {c81 86,704 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amount8 are not to b9 Inelud•d In total rnc8iptslpayments flguros aboyel d1 Balance brou ht fo￿31￿ from last ar 65 45 d2 Offerin sIGifts - receiveij for exteTnal o anisalions 53 d3 OfferingslGifts passed to external organisations 33 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 +d2-d31 65 65 ChurchRAryi P 2015.￿S 2of5 Alcombe Methodist Church RC ATION5 REPORTING TO TFIE ¢HVRe C NCIL SECTION E pi• lollo%Y th G Id Atocorn let•thls surnm￿oI fftE Xc0￿nt#foT the y8¥T ende¢ 31 Augu512021 a[￿ Intsmai Ory¥Di$aVons repotbn9to tn¢ Church Counthllchurch Mee)ng Note thatfvlunds of an In￿￿￿1 Ory8nig4)on vthld noTmallybe Restnctsd funds unless Ilcoulo bEcleaty shown thallhEycould b& u$¢d rorany FI81n￿ls1 purpose This ge¢tion mustb¢ ¢ornwe4 ID ¥rnve atlhe gross In¢ome gno expendibjre totH15 olthechurth. If gryjss exceed6 the AccFual8thresholts, then theAccTuai$ MelhE￿ DI ANO A DIFFEREIIT FORM mu# bt uts￿ lo rewrttheaLrovnts1gee Methodist **bsitel Pknse refertotheguidance notes Fegardlng transfrr6 the Dl¥thCt and conneLted Distrct Oryanis8tlons INTERNAL ORGANIsA￿ONs Roc&iptsi Openlng baiantss Rèc81 AO ustrn8n Cloxln Ances vi•sl G￿lId 8055ln on Clwrch 344 4.038 3,692 Tlmb•r9cr￿￿e Chwch 8,791 S.875 5.726 Akombo friwtlstti 240 240 SubtOl81 of Intem 8ni88Don3fvnds 8,019 Church accounts Itotsl brvuyhtfor4¥ard from p 2- totslscolumnl TAL BY CHURCH 11J,979 lan 18,514 88.704 106,218 114,962 102,167 12A95 96.9D5 109.400 cantsn￿On a sep4rate she2t Ifnwand tnng the TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYPAENIS SECTION F STATEklENT OF ASSETS AND UABILITIES OPENING BALAJ4CES eL051NQ LANCES CHURCH. CASH FUP4D3 HELO 4t31 A ust2021 ¢&qh In nand 50 32 Bank Cvwr¥DtA¢￿jTrI 5,097 3,880 Bank Oe AccrAJnl C*ntr¥l Fin¥n(x Boatd 24.989 32,527 TrusteesfDrM2thodisIChvrth Puweg OlhÉrfunds 56,568 68,778 SUB TOTAL- Chur¢h ￿ttyJ￿ 86.704 Ic61 105.218 <¢81 Tot81 fund$ Intsrn¥i &gaDi$8bOnS llhedo$i￿O balan￿lots1 fvDm S￿Ve> le121 10.202 4.18% TOTAL CASH FVNOS HELD eY¢HUR¢H 96.905 109,400 ly) SECTION G At 1 SeptembEr2020 At 31 Augu312021 OnERAssEfs LIAgILIMES Invethents Itdu&e 938 227 1027.197 Lano & bu1￿1n SOOnOts$ tt Irdurarte value 1630 787 1350 787 OlherA88et 128 7T7 Loan - shtywamtyJni othgtandln reDcJ Olher LIabil￿eS f4 Include￿lY Funds hwd 8ithe C&)tral Finance Bts￿d 15 Fund5 alTru¥tQESf¢rMÈthtyJisi Churth PurKth*S 1 Inc￿de ￿Y 0lherinvesbThento Inolth2c&￿ etheDtof TMCP Ivjsts auKunlsthis is In￿￿￿￿d in Iinefs 3ots Name of Church: Alcombe Methodist ChurGh Charity No 1147036 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 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 . Date.. 0910312022 Name and address of treasurer .' Mrs Jean Armin Mews End Cottage, Quay Lane, Minehead Post Code". TA24 SQU Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for Ihe year ended 31 August 2021 y￿re presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on g . S_ Ix Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting- Rev Nick Lakin Date.. 0910312022 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Alcombe Methodist Church Charity Number 1147036 Responsibilities and basls of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Alcombe Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 20215et out on pages 2 to 3. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,) I report in respect of my examination of the Chur¢h's accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(bl of the Act. 2015 chufch R an¢J P.￿4 4of5 Name of Church: Alcombe Methodist Church Charity No 1147036 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in onnection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect= the accounling ￿cordS were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the AGt; 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 have 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: K H D Preston Bsc, FCA, TEP Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner.. ICAEW Name of firm.. Amherst & Shapland Limited Address: 4 Irnham Road, Minehead, Sornersel Post Code: TA24 5DG Date: 01 August 2022 2015 church R 8nd P.￿$ 5015