2024-08-31-accounts - Lyndon Methodist Church

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LYNDON METHODIST CHURCH

Melton Avenue Solihull West Midlands B92 7QX Telephone: 07930 617301

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

September, 2023 - August, 2024

Lyndon Methodist Church

Melton Avenue

Solihull

West Midlands

B92 7QX

Website: www.lyndonmethodist.org.uk

E-Mail. lyndonmethodist@btconnect.com

TRUSTEES AND MANAGEMENT

The Church belongs to the Birmingham Methodist Circuit and the Minister who has overall Pastoral Charge for Lyndon is Rev Karen Webber.

The Church is managed overall by a group of Trustees. These consist of leaders of various groups that are run within the Church together with a number of Church Members who are elected democratically at the Annual Church Meeting to represent the interests of the Congregation in general.

The Trustees elected to the Church Council at present are as under noted:-

Rev Karen Webber Lorraine Simpson Tony Ludlow John Evans Janet Rudge Sarah Marks Jez Wassall Pam Walton Hazel Kench Ian Smith Jayne Kilding Jo Hancock Claire Frew Roger Hancock Chris Rowe Lynne Tyler Kate Collen Trevor Bodfish Ermine Mitchell Mahya Tazh Indira Costa-Silva Angela Millgate Marion Painter Aghdas Shahbaz

The Church aims to provide spiritual needs to meet all age groups and has an act of worship every Sunday morning. Young children are encouraged to come but have a ‘Time Out’ where they go and do activities.

For those who prefer a slower more informal type of service, a monthly evening Sunday Service is held. It is open for anyone to attend but has been found to be particularly beneficial for people with learning disabilities.

Lyndon endeavours to reach out to the wider community by giving support to those in the local community as well as within the U.K. or indeed worldwide.

Time Out - This is where Children leave the main Church Service and go and do their own activities and then return to the main Church Service just before the Service ends. Currently around six children participate together with a group of adults who work on a rota system.

During the year the children take an active role in a few of the main Church Services such as at Christmas and Easter, These services have become known as All Age Services and have become both successful and popular and are enjoyed by all.

Lunch Club - This meets weekly on a Friday during Term Time and provides an opportunity where Church Members, who may be living on their own, and is also open to individuals from the community to come and have some social interaction as well as having a three course meal at a reasonable cost. Around twelve to fourteen attend on average but this can fluctuate a little from week to week.

Ladies Club - This is a Club which meets on a fortnightly basis and is an opportunity for Church Members and anyone from the local community to come and share a time together. It is informal and sometimes activities are carried out out such as games but overall it is a pleasant time to socialise and enjoy refreshments together. Around twelve-fourteen ladies attend.

Stay and Play - This Group has been running for twelve months. It is for young children and their guardians - whether it be the Mother, Grandmother or other responsible adult to spend time together and allow the children to play. At the moment there are around five regular attendees but there are some who come less regularly and so possibly up to around 10 attend per week. Usually the session ends with either a story or a sing-a-long. Refreshments are given to both the children and the adults present. A small charge is made to attend.

Lyndon People - This is an opportunity for anyone who likes a slower pace of Service in a more informal setting to attend. It occurs once a month and is on a Sunday evening. It has been of particular relevance to those with a learning disability but is open to all. Numbers attending can fluctuate between ten and twenty.

Bible Group and Prayer Group - This is a small group that meets monthly on a Wednesday evening where there is a time of prayer together with an in depth look at a passage of Scripture.

Girls Brigade - At the present time this group has around 33 girls. They meet weekly but throughout the year arrange additional events and functions such as organising a Quiz Night which was open to the Church Community as well as to the local community.

Boys Brigade - This group has in recent times started up again. Although numbers are static around nine boys attend but efforts are ongoing to try and increase this number. They meet up on the same night as the Girls Brigade and thus some activities are undertaken jointly although both groups retain their own identities.

Lets - The Church lets out its premises to a number of groups. Some of these are charitable organisations whilst others are business enterprises. All of these groups provide various activities for people in the local community. Two Guest Churches also rent our premises.

It goes without saying that Lyndon would be unable to function without the support of the many volunteers. These volunteers carry out various duties whether it be assisting with the Worship and organisation of it, preparing food and the serving of it and accountancy to name but a few. However, in whatever capacity they serve, a grateful thanks has to be extended to them. If anyone would like to volunteer, then they can be accommodated.

The Church’s activities are only a brief resume but further details can be provided on request.

- SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY FOR PERIOD SEPTEMBER, 2023 AUGUST, 2024

As with many Churches, Lyndon has found that things have been slightly different since trying to resume following the Covid Pandemic. Generally numbers attending various groups have not been as high although there are exceptions to this.

The Church is situated on the borders of Solihull and Birmingham and thus it is in an extremely good position to attract groups that wish to rent our premises. Thus we have quite a big number of lets, the income of which does help to supplement our Church Collections.

Throughout the year various services have been held in an attempt to try and attract people from the local community to attend. As an example if an All Age Service is held, then often parents/ guardians of the children participating will attend. Several events throughout the year have been held which have been for the Church Members as well as the local community and such examples are the Christmas Fayre and the Quiz Night which was organised by the Girls Brigade.

The Church Magazine continues to be produced every two months. This proves to be a useful source to convey information and also to impart tips on the Community Page on how to be economical at the present time together with some interesting articles. It is available electronically as well as in hard copy form to try and cater for all.

STEWARD’S REPORT - On average around 40-50 attend Morning Worship but this figure can fluctuate depending on if a special service is being held or if the weather is not good. Sadly there are a few people who are now unable to come to Church owing to becoming housebound or having to go into a Home but on the positive side we have been very pleased to welcome a few new people. Several of them have become members and others attend as Adherents.

At the present time there is only one official Steward in post. However, a team of volunteers support her on a rota basis with preparation for the actual Service together with carrying out the various duties on a Sunday Morning and this appears to be working well. For the future, it is hoped that more Stewards will be forthcoming.

On the Pastoral side of things, the overall responsibility is with the Minister but she is well supported by a group of visitors. These individuals have kept in touch with the Church Members, offering support where necessary. Sadly during the year the Pastoral Secretaries had to step down due to personal reasons.

During the year Data Protection and Safeguarding have been adhered to as per the current legislation and the Methodist Church Rules.

After each Communion Service a retiring collection is taken and any monies received are utilised at the Minister’s discretion to help anyone who is experiencing difficulties and possible hardship.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Lyndon is of public benefit in many ways. From a worship viewpoint, we endeavour to offer a warm welcome to all and have a number of Services throughout the year where people from the local community are especially invited to attend. Social activities throughout the year are also arranged where the local community are particularly welcomed such as at the Christmas Fayre and the occasional Saturday Evening Social Event.

The Church has a number of organisations that rent our premises. Some of the lets are from Charitable Organisations whilst others are business organisations but nevertheless they all provide a benefit to the Church Family as a whole together with the local community.

Two Guest Churches also rent our premises and so we cater for people who might have a slightly different style of worship or views. During the year, Lyndon went through the process to allow us to be registered to be able to carry out Same Sex Marriages.

Lyndon also acts as a Local Polling Station when elections are being undertaken. This means that there are individuals who enter our building who may not otherwise do so and so it is an opportunity for them to see what happens within the building from reading the posters on the wall.

All the activities that are held are open to all.

FINANCIAL

The accounts are prepared annually and follow the Methodist Year and hence start from September and end in August. Thus the Accounts for 2023-2024 are now in the process of being finalised. However, at the moment it does show that we are in credit and also have a reasonable reserve balance and reveals that we have had a net increase of £8,500 approximately (final precise figure to be finalised).

It is evident from the accounts that the amount that is collected in collections would not be sufficient to run the premises and in this connection we are dependant on getting extra money from our lets. We are fortunate in that we have a number of lets including the two guest Churches that supplement our income.

Whilst at the moment we would seem to be in a reasonable financial position, the future does come with a certain amount of uncertainty as we are aware that certain property repairs including painting outside and electrical work are necessary together with the possibility of upgrading the computer system. All of this work is likely to be costly.

As regard to the heating and lighting, we are at the moment on a fixed tariff until December, 2025.

Obviously exact financial figures can be seen in the actual Accounts.

JR/Sept24

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Lyndon Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Birmingham Circuit Circuit no. 511 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number If not a registered charity His 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) 1150167 Minister.. Rev. Karen Webber Church Stewards: Lorraine Sibson Lynne Tyler Joanna Hancock Treasurer: Anthony Ludlow Church-receipts-and-payments-2024 completed 1 of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Lyndon Methodist Church SECTION A Unrestricted Restricted Totals this Funds Funds year Totsls last year a1 RECEIPTS Note Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 37,405 37,405 28,600 a3 1,645 31,204 10,826 81,080 1,645 773 a4 Lettin 31,204 11,097 81,351 26,679 6,282 62,334 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 271 a6 271 (a7) SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share Donations 26,000 26,000 27,000 200 b3 9,600 16,948 140 9,740 b4 airs and Maintenance Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 16,948 13,907 b5 12,011 12,011 10,672 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 7,977 72,536 7,977 72,676 5,226 57,005 b8 140 (b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a6-b8 8,544 131 8,675 5,329 Total funds brought forward from last year c2 38,834 38,834 33,505 c3 Sub total c1+c2 47,378 131 47,509 38,834 Transfers and ad ustments 1,007 1,007 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 48,385 131 48,516 (c8) 38,834 (c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts are not to be included In total receSptslpa ments fl ures above d1 Balan brou ht forward from last ear d2 Offerin s/Gifts - reiVed for extemal or anisations 626 331 d3 OfferingslGifts passed to extemal oiganisations 626 331 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) 2of5 Chllrch-receipts4nd-pa)ryllents-2024 complet

L don Methodist Chur¢h SUMMARY OF CH HAC OUNTSAND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO ECH RCH COUNCIL SECTION E Please follow the Guidancè Notes to com lete this Surnmary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2D24 and Intemal Organisalions reporting to the Church Councillchurch Meeting. Note that the funds ol an Intemal Organisation would norrn8lly be Reslricled funds unles5 11 could be clearly shown that they could b8 used for any Melhodisl purpose. Thi5 section must be completed to arrive al the gross income and expenditure totals ol the Church. If gross inwmo exceeds the Acoruals threshold. then the Accruals method ol accounting ANO A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodistwebsitel. Please refer to the guidance notes regardiag Iranslers between the District and connected District Organisations. INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Recei Net Receiptsl Pa m8nls 15 ments Opening balances Ad'ustment5 C105in balanS Bo s Bri ade 4 A¢¢ounts 2,527 1.916 611 500 14,534 14,645 Glrls Bri ade 3.835 2,390 1.445 1,206 2,651 sta &Pla 684 127 537 507 30 ¢4 Sub lotsl o anisations funds 7.026 4.433 2,593 1,007 811 612 Church ac¢ounts Itgtals brought forward from page 2- totals column) 81.351 la7} 72,876 Ib91 8,675 1,007 Ic71 38,834 Ic61 48,516 elo BY CHURCH 88.377 77,109 11,268 Continue on a Sgparah sheot if nocessary and bring th• totals forward 54,574 Ixl 65.842 TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTION F STATE TOF SSET AND LI IL TIE CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au OPENING BALANCES ust 2024 CLOSING BALANCES Cash in hand Bank Current Account 9,801 Bank D8 osil Account f4 C•nlral Fln8nce Board 26,853 Trus18es lor M¢lhodist church Purposes Other funds 257 271 SUB TOTAL- Church accounts Total funds held by Inlemal Organisations Ilhe closino balance total from above) le121 38,834 Ic6 48,516 1¢8 15,740 17,326 le121 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 54,574 65,842 SECTION G At 1 Seplembtsr 2023 At 31 August 2024 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Investrnents include Endowm8nts Land & Buildin see notes rts Insurance value 2 790 405 2 860.142 other Assets Loan show amount outstandin at ar end other Liabilities f4 Include only Fund5 held atthe Central Finance Board f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church PU0$e9 g1 Includ¢ any other investment5 (not the cash element of TMCP trusts aount5 this is Induded In line f5 ChKcrtipQ.and.paJItn2Q24etsPletCd ,30f.

Name of Church .. Lyndon Mgthodist Church 115167 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm 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 , . Anthony Ludlow 197 Richmond Road, Solihull, B92 7SA Presentatlon to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the ye to the meeting of the Church trustees held on r endeAA1 August 2024 werelwill be. presented IEI..¥.fz(JL Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Lyndon Methodist Church Charity Number. 1150167 Responslbilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages I to .$.. 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 applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Chur¢h-reteiptS-and-payment5-2024 completed 4of5

Name of Church .. Lyndon Methodist Church 1150167 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connectlon with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respectr. 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 hayelhave not. obtalned 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 ..3... Date delete or circle as appropriate AJJg-24 Church-receipts-and-payments-2024 completed 5of5