## **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, Sheila Halewood, 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. ## **Special Service** - 1 Oct .A special service led by the Rev. Sally Ratcliffe to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the reopening and refurbishment of Chorley Methodist 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. Rainbows, Brownies and Guides were also invited to the Harvest and Remembrance parade services. ## **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. ## **Wednesday Guide Group** The Guide group continues to meet on a Wednesday, term time. This group has around 8 young people, who enjoy a variety of games and activities, working towards badges. ## **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. ## **Links with School** There continues to be links with Gillibrand Primary School. They hold their harvest festival in the church in October. The year 2 pupils come up to the church for their Christingle service. The minister goes in to the school for an occasional assembly and some church members volunteer in the school. ## **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 Methodlst Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Chorley & Leyland Clrcult Circuit no 41203 Reglstered Charlty - Charity Reglstration number 11 .Jt a registered chanty Hor Majesty's Revenue and Customs Glft Ald number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in temis of evidence of charitable statu8 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) 1151134 Minister: Revd Helen Millward Church Stewards: Neil Saunt Sheila Halewood Ruth Malarkey Caroline Linfitt David Hulse Treasurer Simon Hardacre Church R and P 2015.xls 1ofS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Chorley Methodist Church Unrestrlcted Restricted Totsls this Funds Funds year Totals last year SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note Offerings and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 51.391 51,391 51,009 a3 2.170 4.113 2,170 4,113 1,213 18,615 26,666 97,504 a4 Lettings Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS a5 27,440 85.114 85,114 la7) SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 52,442 52,442 47,055 b3 DoAations R&yairs and Maintenance utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 7,271 7,271 4,036 b5 19,435 19,435 14,013 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 19,838 98,986 19,838 98,986 4,585 69,689 b8 {b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 (a6-b8) (13,873) (13,873) 27,814 Total funds brought forward from last year c2 68,794 68,794 Ic6) 40,980 c3 Sub total (cl+c21 54,921 54,921 68,794 .fers and adjustments Ic7) TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR qc3+c4) 54,921 54,921 68,794 (c6 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts aro not to be Included In total receiptslpaymonts figures above) c11 Balance brought forward from last year rJ2 OfferingslGifts - received for external organisations d3 OfferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisats'ons d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) Church R and P 2015As 2of5 Chorle Methodist Church CHURGH AC SECTION E Pleaa• folltyATthe Summary of tt)e Church a(xxJunts 31 AW2024 a*1 ChLwth Note that thefunds ofan Intemal organisat￿n w)uld ntsrtna1￿ te Res1￿￿ rt Ly￿￿1 t* SI￿1 t￿tI￿o￿￿j i* wedforary h*￿￿t￿¥t¥)$e. This SeCtiC￿ must te DIFFERENT FORM must used to reF(fftt￿ &oJunts1see A￿A￿t￿*b￿le1. Pkne refErtolhe 1gwthrvJ the Distrid afid connected District OrganIsati￿5. INTER14AL ORGANISATIONS clo￿ng bataneès Moth•r*nd Toddlgr(knup 1.143 1.415 Ladl8s Clrclg 413 orga￿$8￿0n8 fund$ 1,781 479 1•12) chur¢￿•¢cOun￿ Itotsl• brou trom pagg 2- ¢olumnl 921 l¢ei BYCHURCH ao6S1 I￿767 69￿17 Ix) 55A01 Continue on a 8eparat• s If nt¢twry ar*J the totals forward TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMEI SECTION F CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD It 31 Au wt 2024 Cash In hand Bank curr•ntAtt￿nI 275 Bank D¢ 8rt AcccAwrt 40.404 26,688 Con¢rnl Flnance Board 28.125 27,960 T￿$t￿¥ for MethodJ8t Chwch PurrAWÈ 0th8r.fwid8 SUB TOTAL- Church aeeounts Total bJn¢ts he￿ ty Irrt8mBI totsl (e12) 54,921 (¢81 {8111 479 le12) TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 69.517 Ix) 55.401 lyl SECTION G At 31 AugU8t2024 OTHER ASSEfs and LIABLrnE3 Inv•stm•nts (Indude Endcthr￿} Land & Buikdings (see v• vkn) 2,400,￿0 otherAssets Other Liabl1ft￿9 f4 Indud6 only Furth W at ￿ Central Finarts Bosrd f5 Indude onW FuThJs hehl atTrustees fc( Me￿dISt Chwth Purpj 3rlS DECLARATIONS I confirm that I have prepared the accounts the records of the Church and that they include all fi 14nAar Mrt•*nl rrf •ha nhl Signature of Treasurer Date 17.10-24 Name Simon Hardacre Address 67. Park Road Chorley Lancashire PR7 1QZ Presentstion to the "Church Councll for approval. I confinn that the Accounts have been presented to the Church Council on 17.{0.2 -dnd were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev. Helen Mlllward Date 13 11 /1cL IndgDendent Examlnèes RaDOrt to Trustées of the Chorley Methodlst Church This Report 18 on the Church Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Respectlve responslbilities of Trustees and Examlner The charivs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charivs trustees consider that an aiidit is nnt rp.niiirp.d fnr thi* vp.xr ijndftr 8Artinn 144 nf the. C.harÉtip.8 Art ?n11 (thp e.h53ritiAA Ar.t) And thAt an inrlp.npndenl fi¥aminAlinn 18 nppdp(I Haslam Financial Services Lld (appointed examiner) It 1% mv rA%nnnqihilifv to- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity e.nmmi£8inn lijnd6.br 8prtiM 1451fj1(hl nf tt￿. e.hxriliFLq Artl And tn statp. whpth6hr riArtir.iJlar mattpr% havp. rThnp. tn mv attg.nlinn Basls of Independent Examlnefs Report My examination carried out in accordance wilh general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounb.ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees con￿mIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that VKJuld be required in an audit, and consequenly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerfs Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attentio {1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material ￿pect the requirements.. . to keep accounts'ng records in accordance wth section 130 of the CharFties Art . to prepare accounts which accord wtth the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charth"es Act have not been met. or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply appropriate {3) I havelheYtrn8ètobtsined independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church PurF)oses ("TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ("CFB"). which are individually in excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. ' Please circle as appropriate ame TEL H￿s￿TrJ Signature Relevant Professional qualification or body Address ebTu Date l., laoA 2015 church R and P.xls 5of5 Basls of Independent Examinerfs Report My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Chanty Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounb'ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those ￿ords. It also includes consKleration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden￿ that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion Is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examinerfs Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attentio (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: . to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. . to prepare accounts which accord with the accounb'ng records and cornply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been mec. or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in the bfrBckets rf they do not apply appropriate (3) I havelhavefet£ obtsined independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes ( TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ("CFB"), which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. ' Please circle as appropriats ame TEP. HfvS￿ Signature Relevant Professional qualification or body AcAft, I Address ia h)￿&￿ Ao.4? Date ly l., la6A 2015 church R and P.xls 5of5