Annual Report of the Camelford & Week St Mary Methodist Circuit Rev Steve Swann (Superintendent Minister) Signatory
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2023 CHARITY 1150386
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the charity are: Provision of public religious worship open to all; Promotion of prayer as a vital part of life; provision of pastoral care to all that require it; Promotion of education and training in the Christian faith; Support and nurturing worshipping communities; promotion of faith based education and activity for the young.
The circuit is composed of 11 churches as at the end of August. We have still been in a recovery phase following Covid19 pandemic but gradually our fellowships have been restarting some activities and looking toward the possibilities of new ones. Some members have still not returned to attending Sunday worship.
Achievements during the year
The circuit has now restarted and grown some of the work previously accomplished. Many teams were able to return to primary schools sharing the stories of the bible with the primary school age children through ‘Open the book’ and new teams are being explored.
Many community coffee mornings, lunches and other activities have continues to be reestablished to great appreciation of the well-being they brought to people’s lives.
Week St Mary Chapels ‘Bright Sparks’ children’s drama group continues to provide quality tuition and performances for the local community’.
Canworthy waters firework and bonfire party was again attended by over 150 people. Easter activities across the circuit proved popular with two dawn services and a walk of witness. Tintagel chapel opened its doors to the community for ‘an Easter Journey’, an experiential experience of reflection about life and the Easter story
Bethel chapel have begun some family activities on a monthly basis to serve the local community.
Camelford chapel have been doing a monthly ‘Messy Church’ which is for families, this is leading to a number of baptisms.
During the year there have been a significant number of funerals, including burials in Methodist Cemeteries, in total there are 15 graveyards. We support families through the bereavement of a loved one.
The age of our preaching team is such that most are taking less services which in turn means that fellowships are taking some services for themselves, we hope to offer training to help with this.
Financial Review.
The budget for the year again showed an increase of expenses and the receipts showed a sharp decline. No increases were asked due to the use of reserves with the circuit being able to make up the shortfall. Two more churches were sold during the year and so the deficiency is being funded by the Circuit Trustees advance Fund. This fund being composed of church sales after costs including the levy imposed by the national Methodist Church from sales and also administration fees. The full annual accounts can be viewed on the relevant page of the Charity Commission website. The Circuit Model Trust Fund is used a reserve fund to meet exigencies
within the running costs of the circuit. The balance as at 31 August 2023 was £482,592.37. Working capital residing in the community accounts of Barclays and the Central Finance board (known as the general fund) amount to £95,313.10.
Structure, government & management
The governing document is laid out on the Charity Commission website. We are a part of the Methodist Church in Britain and are part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist District who offer some oversight of our governance. The Circuit Meeting has an average of 34 members acting as Trustees. Other than officers who are on the body because of the office they hold, serving members are as set out in the Methodist Church Constitution, Practice and Doctrine and are elected annually by local church members and various circuit working groups. The day-to-day management is exercised under the leadership of the Superintendent Minister together with the Circuit Stewards including the Treasurer and Circuit Meeting Secretary who meet regularly.
The circuit complies with the Safeguarding requirements of the Methodist church, this includes an annual review of the policy, keeping training up to date and displaying relevant information for all users of the various buildings within the Circuit.
Staffing
An average of two people were employed during the year: Rev Steve Swann (Superintendent Minister) and Mrs Julie Swann (Church and Community Worker).
Reference and administrative details
The Charity is known as the Camelford & Week St Mary Methodist Circuit, Charity Number 1150386. The List of Trustees is available on the Charity Commission Website; the senior Trustees at year end were Rev Steve Swann (Superintendent Minister), Rev Bryan Ede (Supernumerary), Mrs Julie Swann (Church and Community Worker), Circuit Stewards –Mrs Gill Smeeth and Mrs Chris Smith, Treasurer – Mr Graham Hobbs, Circuit Meeting Secretary Mrs Alison Gill. The Charity is blessed by so many people giving their time and talents as well as financial giving for the life of the circuit, each church and in the community.
Date of approval by Camelford & Week St Mary Circuit Trustees: 6[th] March 2024
Steven Swann (Superintendent Minister) Alison Gill (Secretary) Graham Hobbs (Treasurer)
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