2023-08-31-accounts - Chorley Methodist Church

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DRAFT CHORLEY METHODIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024

This is the Annual Report for the year April 2023 to April 2024 for Chorley Methodist Church.

Membership of the Church Council/Appointments/Team news – Rev. Helen Millward

This year we have very sadly lost a number of members at Church and these will be remembered at our AGM.

There have also been some changes in Council and Leadership Team:

Freda Eccles had mistakenly requested to step down from the church council so was welcomed back onto it for the year.
Due to ill health Lesley Duckworth stepped down from the leadership team and from the Safeguarding role in October.
Sheila Halewood has joined the leadership team and the church council.
Caroline Linfitt has moved out of Chorley and is stepping down from her role as Church council secretary in June 24. Her replacement will be agreed at the AGM in June 24.

Leadership Team now comprises: Rev. Helen Millward our Minister plus Ruth Malarkey, , Neil Saunt, David Hulse, Sheila Halewood, Simon Hardacre (Treasurer), Rev. Derek Oldham.

The Church Council now comprises:

Ruth Malarkey (Senior Steward), Helen Millward (Chair), Lincoln Shields, Keith Ashton, Lesley Duckworth, Sue Stout, Kath Hodson, Dave Hulse, Wilf Lace, Bill Almond, Rev. Derek Oldham, Margaret Boulton, Caroline Linfitt (Secretary), Ian McCallum, Glenys Blundell, Simon Hardacre (Treasurer), Chris Hulse, Valerie Marsden, Pauline Curwen, Ruth Raynor, Neil Saunt, Sue Procter (Safeguarding Officer). Circuit Representative: Tim Melling

Information on Trustees has been updated on the Charity Commission website.

Spirituality and Worship – Rev Helen Millward

The 10.30 Sunday morning service continues to be the main focus of our worship, with monthly communions. Services continue to be led by Circuit Ministers, Supernumerary Ministers and Methodist Local Preachers.

There have been monthly evening services on the last Sunday of the month. These are quieter services, communion would normally be served in them.

Other activities

Lectio – This has taken place Monday midday most weeks with variable numbers. It is seen as helpful and will continue.
Fellowship Group - first Thursday of month - 7.30 in foyer. Different leaders. 1012 regular members. Explores different ideas.
Compass group – ran and though a small group they seemed to have found it helpful.
We make the road by walking group started in September. This group developed out of the Compass group and for some people who were looking at a less formal way of being church.

Christmas services

17 Dec - Nativity Service led by Sparx with congregation dressing up and participation included.
21 Dec - Blue Christmas
24 Dec – Lessons and Carols led by Church Stewards
Crib Service was held at 4pm
Midnight Communion.
25 Dec - Christmas Day - 10am - a shorter All Age service took place.

Easter Events ..

A reflective space was created looking at the events of Holy week. This was run on the Weekend that included Palm Sunday. Some of the Easter services were shared with Chorley United Reformed Church. Maundy Thursday’s service was at the URC Church. Good Friday Morning service was led by Rev. Derek Oldham at Chorley Methodist Church. There were two services celebrating Easter Sunday held at Chorley Methodist Church

Finance Report - Simon Hardacre – Treasurer

General

Chorley Methodist Church started off the financial year with balance of £40,979 (Sept ‘22) which at the end of the financial year stood at £68,793 (Aug ’23). Our current capital balance at the end of April ’24 was £63,960.

The Accounts and Reserves Policy were signed off on behalf of the Church Council (November 2023). The Reserve policy is based on maximum of six months expenditure which is £34.9k approx. There are no restricted funds at present. However, a provision of £10k has been identified, to allow payment of initial fees or expenditure related to Church Hall/School closure /sale and also to cover any initial costs related to repurposing Church rooms or storage provision (see expenditure detail).

Income

Our Weekly Collection levels from the Envelope Scheme and Direct Debits have remained at a consistent level. Our income from lettings from the Hall has understandably dropped significantly, now the Hall has been de-commissioned. However, our expenditure on Heating and Lighting has equally fallen sharply. Our Gift Aid claim brought in a considerable sum of £8.6k in 2023.

Expenditure

We have continued to fund our normal Church building maintenance, inspections and license renewals, but have also spent monies in line with our £10k provision, for increasing our storage capacity and upgrading the Church Kitchen facilities to meet our needs. Decoration of the Creche room and re-purposing the flower room have also been funded in line with our re-development vision. Other expenditure included a new (reconditioned) laptop to replace the old one.

Safeguarding

The annual Safeguarding Policy was approved at the October meeting of the Church Council.

Lesley Duckworth, the church safeguarding officer has now retired from the role after many years service.

Sue Procter, was confirmed as the church safeguarding officer at the Church council in Feb 2024

There has been ongoing work to keep DBS registrations up to date, there are currently two Registrations to be updated, these are being actioned.

All people on the safeguarding database have now received (or are booked on to) either the foundation or the advanced module training/refresher training. This will continue to be monitored and those who are in need of safeguarding refresher training at both Foundation and Advanced level will be prompted to book onto training when it is available.

The process of safer recruiting continues to be updated.

Pastoral

The pastoral care of the worshipping community has continued to be overseen by a small group of pastoral visitors. A meeting of this group has been held and there is ongoing work to maintain the contacts and to focus the care on those with greatest need.

For those who have not been able to access church home communion continues to be offered quarterly.

There is an increasing number of the congregation who have been supported to attend worship by the people who fill the driving rota.

– Children and Young People Report Ruth Malarkey

Sunday School – Sparx

Sparx continues to be popular with our young people. It is run by a team of 7, all of whom hold a DBS and have completed safeguarding training. The young people gather together at the beginning of the service, enjoying a range of activities; planting bulbs in the garden; crafts; discussions; games. They then join the congregation to share what they have been doing and join in with the final hymn and Blessing.

This year they have followed different themes including, characters from the Bible; Christian celebrations; Lent, Easter and Holy Week, Prayer, Love, and Harvest. They also led the Christmas Service. Numbers vary week to week, the highest being around 12.

Creche

We no longer offer a crèche, but activity bags, puzzles and books are available in the foyer to be brought into church or played with in the foyer(accompanied by a carer)

Messy Church

Messy Church meets on the second Monday of the month 3.15- 5.30. It first started in 2012 and was designed for families to spend time together Creatively and to Worship together. Chorley Methodist Church is affiliated to Messy Church worldwide, which means we are on a register that people can access as they move into the area. Over the years many families have been part of Messy Church and as their children have grown older they have moved on. For a few months we had 4 families attending but recently we have had new families coming in and enjoying time together, so once more our numbers are beginning to grow. A session is made up of Craft (some clean, some messy), Song, Story, Prayer, Worship and Food. Our theme this year has been “people who met Jesus”, so we have shared many different Bible stories. The theme ends in July, August is a holiday and then back

in September with a new theme to divide up into different months. We have a team of about a dozen people all of whom have done the Safeguarding Course and have a DBS Certificate, three prepare and serve the meal we all enjoy together before we leave. It’s an exhausting time but very rewarding as we see people getting used to using the space in a different way, chatting and helping one another.

Toddlers

Toddlers continues to run term time on Tuesdays from 9:15-11:15am. From September 2023 they have been meeting in church.

Currently around 15 children attend on a regular basis, enjoying playing with toys, dressing up, craft activities and sitting down together for juice and biscuits. The larger toys-climbing frame, kitchen and seesaw are in the church lounge; books, puzzles and a craft activity are located in the foyer; whilst floor toys and ride-ons are in church.

Uniformed Organizations

The scout groups no longer meet on our premises but were invited and attended the parade services for Harvest and Remembrance Sunday. They will continue to be invited to these parade services in 2024.

Wednesday Brownie Group

The Brownie group meets on a Wednesday , term time. This group has around 20 brownies, who enjoy a variety of games and activities, working towards badges; also going out on trips for example to the Alabaster Jar to make some pottery.

The annual sleepover will be held in August 2024, where an environmental theme will be followed.

Two new leaders are currently following the training and will soon be accredited as full leaders.

Rainbows Group

The Rainbows group have moved to meeting on Fridays, term time and continues to be popular with a group of 22 girls, enjoying a variety of activities, including games and crafts outside when there has been good weather. A new brownie unit is also running at the same time on Fridays; both groups having 6 leaders overall.

Outreach & Fundraising

The Cheerful Noise Singing Group

This group is going well, meeting the first Wednesday of every month between 1.30 - 3.00 we get people inside and outside of the church attending. It's a way for people to

meet together socially and enjoy singing which improves people's mental health and well being.The group is open to all and a good singing voice isn't required

Ladies Circle

This has been a good year for us with some interesting speakers and events. We now have 27 regular members, plus a few ladies who join us when they can. It has also been welcome to see a few new faces, as we have sadly lost Rowena Curwen, one of our founder members and Mary Lace during this year. They are sadly missed. In June last year we had an update about schools project in Nepal from Chris Hughes. We always remember the happy smiles. In July we enjoyed our summer lunch at Leyland golf club – always a pleasure. September saw the visit of Norman Harris, wo gave us a very well prepared talk about Chins, as he said, a ong way to go in all respects. We were closer to home in October, when we heard about the work of the local Street Pastors in Chorley. In November we were entertained by a group TO OLD TO BE TOLD, always fun to listen too. Finally in December we made our second visit of the year to the golf club for our Christmas Lunch, a lovely social event.. This Year began for us in February, with a talk by Sid Calderbank, a local enthusiast of Lancashire dialect and poetry and history. Very entertaining, even if we did need an interpreter times. March swathe visit of our own Suzanne Cornthwaite, who recounted the trials of running the London Marathon and coping with her son’s diabetes, a brave lady. In April we had a dramatic presentation about the struggles of the Suffragettes to improve the lot of women.

Looking forward to the rest of the year, we will have visits from Brian Halliwell in June, exploring the quirks of life. Norman Harris is back to tell us about his Everest trip in September and we will hear from Carol Halton in October about her Charity work in Chorley and in Africa. Ending the year on a more fun note, we will see some magic in November and gather for Christmas at the golf club in December. So, an interesting year, I hope. I would like to say a big thank you to you all for joining us regularly and especially to Margaret, Elizabeth and Kath, who have done so much, setting up chairs and tables, refreshments when Freda was not here and knowing where everything is after the big move.

Craft afternoon

This is new group that began in December 2023 and continues to meet on the last Tues afternoon of the month. All are welcome to come and try a different craft activity each month, bring their own craft to do and enjoy a coffee and chat.

.

Coffee Morning Continues to go well with a good attendance and a variety of ‘themes’.

Fundraising Team

Have been in action though out the year, with regular events which also bring everyone together socially too. Many thanks to them for all their hard work and enthusiasm.

Property

General

As mentioned in the Finances, there has been several property expenditures related to the closure of the hall and re-purposing/improving elements of the Church rooms/facilities. Annual License renewals and regulator inspections have continued. Clearing of the undergrowth around the sides and back of the Church was carried out. Thanks to all who help with maintaining the buildings with their free time over a multitude of tasks.

Church Halls project – Rev Derek Oldham

AGM briefing will be summarized and included within this annual report.

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Chorley Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 Chorley & Le land Circuit Circult no 41203 Rogistered Charty - Charity Registratlon numb•r ', not a registered charity Her Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC nurnber is equivalent to a registered charity number in temis of ewdence 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 lstratIOn under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1151134 Minister. Revd Helen Milhvard Church Stewards: Neil Saurrt Lesley Duckworth Ruth Malarkey Caroline Linfitt DavTrd Hulse Treasurer.. Simon Hardacre Chufth R ?d P 2015 1({5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 Chorley Methodist Church SECTK)N A lknr•stsicted R•Btrlctod Totsl8 th1 Funds Funds Totals la8t a1 RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recthiered Bank and CFB interest and Investsmenl ino)me Lelbngs Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 51,CK19 51,009 57,243 a3 1,213 18,615 26.666 97,504 1.213 18,615 26,666 97.504 65 a4 12,866 16,779 86,953 a5 (a7) SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share Donations 47.055 47.055 51,080 b3 pairs and Maintenance Utilities Ilnsurances. water charges, heating & IwJhts'ng}. 4,036 4,036 6,054 b5 14,013 14,013 14,566 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 4,585 69,689 b8 4,585 69.689 8,853 80,553 {b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 (a6-b8) 27.814 27,814 6,400 Total fvnds brought forward from last year 40,980 40,980 {c6) 34,580 ¢3 Sub lotal Ic1+c2) 68.794 40,980 -?nsfers and adjuslments TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic71 c5 (c3rf41 68.794 68.794 (c8) 40,980 (c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS {thes• amounts are not to be Included In total r0celpts1paynts ures abov?) d1 Balance bro ht forward from last year d2 offeringGIfts- recetved for extemal organisatb)ns d3 OfferingslGrfts - passed to extemal organisations d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d243} Cknb R4fyJ P2015 2015

Chode Methodist Chuvch SECIION E Sumrnary ofthe Churth ¢(uts ILYthe 31 W 2023 hiterrd O[g¥b wbro b the Crth Cwn[iKhU Meetsrva th&t the fundsvfan Inbmai oa$in VlLld Restricted itCY>J thatttw (j be kktrKxYk%tpurFose. Thi5 sectirffi mlbe Cntrd Dislriot (Jg¥nlsth. iTrirERNJL ORGANNMONS Net Cb%ry bBlwe8 mother• TttyMwOTWP 221 LadleBUr¢l• 314 1.613 1•1ti 723 Churrh (tcéd• 27M14 (c7) 40,980 68,794 ¢10 BYCHUR¢H 99,If6 24r#)2 41A14 69,51T bnueon a s818 sh££t ngxsary tOtsLs TOTAL BEPTs TOTAL SECM¢yI F CHURCH-CA8H FUNDS FELD 1131 LOSINO BALMICES Cath In h•na B¥K ojrrentA&rt 253 265 40.404 16.725 28.125 3 TOTAL.cl¢ Kcounts Totalfvnds hdd t(21 frcfflth} ie12) ILfjI 68.794 Ic81 723 TOTAL CW FLTr4DS HELD BYCHURCH 41.514 (x) 69.517 fyi SECTrOèI G At 31 ALW2023 Lants & Bu[bJ9 Iwrw)5 rn Irw4rt8Trf&Je) 2.400,(KK) 2.400,000 Lo8nl$l.fu4¥aErKwmoJtstsrKtr#JAtw•¥J ointr Uabl 14 FL47ts hsll 3rf5

DECLARATIONS Treasurer I nrInn that I have prepared the accourrts from the reLord8 of the chu aTrJ that they include all funds under the control of the Churth Council Signaturo of Treasurer Name SIrn Hardacre Address 67, Park Ro•J Chorley Lancashire PR7 1QZ Presentatlon to tho fhurch Councll for approval. I confimi that the A£counts tthe been wesented to the Church Coun(xl on 191h October 2023 .Id were opproved. Signature of the Chair of the meetiThJ Name of the Chwr of the nwetirwJ R•v. H•l•n Millward Date 11 /2a25 Independent Examlnovs Report to the Tn of the Chorley Methodlst Church This Repjrt 15 on the Church Accounts for the Jear ended 31 guSt 2023 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and EMminer The charity's trustees are resF4)nsible for the preparation ofthe aC0nts. Th8 Charit$ trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sKon 144 of the Chariligs kt 2011 (th8 Charities kt) and that an independgnt exarninion is needgj. HOarn Financial Semces Ltd (4¥)inted examirr) It is my respjnsibility to.. Examine th& accounts undw K)n 145 of thg CtrHrilies to follow the prcedures laid d(P in the general DirectM gr4en by th8 Charity Commi88ion {under Section 145{5){b) of the Charilies ktl, ar 2015 PJIB 4015

of Indwdont ExamineVs Report My examination was carried out in accordance ryth general Direcbons given by the Charity Commi8sion. An examination inclLKles a revi8w of the accounting records kept by the charty and a Lxjmparison of accounts presented thosè records. 11 algo includes nsideratIon of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees czjnceming any suth matters. The prOu$ undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would te rg4uired in an audi( ar#J cons8]uty no Opin is gNen as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the limiied to those matters set out in the statement Independent Examinorfs Statement In cg)nne¢lion wth my examination. no matter has come to my attent {1) whth gNes me reasonable cause to believe th in any material r the requireffEnts'. . to keep &counting records in &¢yxdan( with seclx)n 130 of the chare$ Art . to prepare a¢xounts which xcord with the )UntIng records and comply wrih the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met or 12) to which, in my opin. attenlion shoubj b? dran n der to wble a proFer understsnding of the accounts lo b8 reached. ' Pleasg dalete th8 words in the brnckets rfthey do not apY awop {31 I have1 obtained independent vertficath)n of all investrnents with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes IYMCW} or held in other Tnjsts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of th8 Methodist Church fcFB'). whth are iThJividualty in excess of£10,IXJO (ten thousand poundsl at trte balan¢e sheet date. . Please circle 8S 8ppmpnate 4Iame Signature Rdevant Professional qualification or bts Address Date 2015 thurth R a1 P.)Js 5015

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