2025-08-31-accounts

Stamford Methodist Circuit

23/15

’ Trustees Annual Report for year ended 31[st] August 2025

“The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.”

Registered Charity Number 1160930

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Introduction

I am pleased to be able to present the Annual Report and financial statements for the Stamford Methodist Circuit for the year ending 31[st] August 2025.

It is my strongly held belief that, the Lord being our helper, the people and churches of our circuit remain firm in faith and resolute in their determination to fulfil their calling and mission to offer the Gospel message to the people of Rutland and South Lincolnshire.

16[th] June 2026

The Reverend Andrew J. L. Hollins Superintendent Minister

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Achievements and Performance 2024/25

1. Development of Circuit Vision

In the year 2022/23 the Circuit Meeting started to reflect on our circuit vision. This was driven by the need to respond to our financial situation. However, we were determined to ensure that the decisions we made were grounded in fulfilling our mission in our communities. This work continued into 2023/24 and also 2024/25, with structural changes implemented towards achieving that vision – see the section on Resourcing.

As a circuit we were, and we continue to be, mindful of:

• responsibility for our churches as well as being accountable to the Northampton Methodist District and, ultimately, the Methodist Conference;

• who we serve, both in terms of God, and the churches and local congregations;

• assessing the resources we have, and considering what we need, against the background of our strengths, weaknesses and priorities;

• acknowledging that we are a small part of our a much larger whole within the global Church and the Kingdom of God;

• honouring our churches as part of our Circuit;

• enabling our local churches to be contextual and faithful expressions of Christian presence and mission in their local communities.

We continue to hold to the commitment, made by the Circuit Meeting on 21[st] June 2023, that our vision is for growth in all areas of our work. This includes, but is not limited to:

• numerical growth in our worshipping congregations;

• increasing church membership;

• deepening the discipleship of everyone connected with our churches;

• developing our involvement with and support of our local communities;

• building up the local churches’ and circuit’s finances for mission;

• recognising and responding to the challenges of succession planning for office holders;

• strengthening our work with people of all ages and backgrounds;

• continuing to create safer spaces through our emphasis on the importance of safeguarding;

• promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion locally as part of the Methodist Church’s Justice, Dignity and Solidarity priority.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Throughout 2024/25 the Circuit Meeting and Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) meetings have continued to be very aware of the financial cutbacks which were necessary in the previous couple of years. However, we are also aware that this pruning (The Gospel of John, chapter 15) is a necessary precursor to the possibility of releasing resources which create space for growth to take place.

Building upon the CLT’s meeting with a member of the Northampton District Mission Team in June 2024, and wishing to celebrate the unique stories of our churches and encourage them to relate this to their distinctive mission, the Circuit Meeting agreed that , during 2024/15 our churches would engage in a process of reflection under the theme: Soil, Seeds and Seasons. This was supported by themed worship in each of the churches, alongside conversations in local church leadership and fellowship groups. Soil, Seeds and Seasons continues to play its part in helping the churches to recognise and respond to their potential for mission. Further work is necessary to embed this theme and its fruit into our circuit mission planning.

The Circuit Vision remains the foundation for our work.

2. Prayer and Worship

• A highlight of the year was the visit of the Vice President of the Methodist Conference, Mrs. Carolyn Godfrey, to preach at a Palm Sunday Circuit Service at Bourne Methodist Church (where Carolyn was part of the youth group). Carolyn presented long service certificates to several preachers who had reached significant anniversaries.

• We continue to support our Preachers (lay and ordained), Worship Leaders and those in training through quarterly meetings and provision of resources.

• We participated in Bible Month 2025, focussing on the Gospel of John. A training day was organised to resource preachers.

• Making the quarterly circuit Worship & Preaching Plan remains challenging. Some Local Preachers and Supernumerary ministers no longer feel able to take appointments, whilst others have, understandably, felt the need to reduce their commitment.

• We have continued to plan Local Worship services, doing so more strategically with the plan to encourage local church members to develop their confidence and skills in leading worship. Through this, we hope that some people may experience the call to become Local Preachers and/or Worship Leaders. Raising awareness of, and sharing, helpful resources is ongoing as part of supporting Local Worship.

• Local Worship has increased the variety of styles of worship in the

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

churches, especially Café Church and the involvement of children in some churches.

• During the course of this year those involved with leading online prayers reflected on the sustainability of providing a daily offering with the reduced staff numbers available to take their turn. Their proposal to offer online prayer/worship for Sundays only, along with occasional ‘specials’, was agreed. These online offerings are appreciated by those no longer able to attend in-person worship. However, the reach of our online prayers is much wider than this, possibly international.

• A Circuit Service has been held on the evening of the first Sunday of each quarter. Visiting preachers/speakers are sometimes invited. One Circuit Service included the annual rededication of Pastoral Visitors from all of the circuit churches.

• Due to uncertainty over leadership and resources, a decision was taken not to hold a Circuit Farm Weekend at Normanton in 2025. However, plans were put in place to review this for 2026.

• Acts of worship in the Individual churches mark particular occasions in the Christian year as well as connecting with and responding to the needs of people in our local communities, e.g. Messy Church, Easy Access Worship (for people with dementia and their carers), outdoor services, Remembering services (for bereaved people), community Christmas Carol services.

• Prayers for the circuit and from the individual churches are included in the quarterly circuit newsletter.

• Pastoral concerns are brought to the Circuit Meeting and offered in prayer during the devotions.

Members of the CLT commit to spending time in prayer and reflection, alongside others business, at their monthly meetings. During 2024/25 a rolling programme has been put in place where the opportunities and challenges facing each of the local churches is being considered in turn. The Church Stewards are made aware of this in a spirit of encouragement.

3. Discernment and Calling

We seek to be a circuit which supports its churches and individual members in reflecting on and responding to their calling. This is a continuous process and commitment. The following initiatives have taken place:

• Building on the success of our twice annual meetings of Church Treasurers, and our thrice-yearly meeting of Church Safeguarding Officers, gatherings of other office holders are now being held for mutual encouragement, support and training.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

• Two people from the circuit were elected to be lay representatives of the Northampton Methodist District at the 2025 Methodist Conference.

• Encouraging our children and young people to engage with 3-Generate remains a challenge with which we are persisting.

• Our circuit has continued to support, both in prayer and practically, a church member who has been conditionally accepted as a candidate for training for presbyteral ministry. The conditional acceptance is due to uncertainty about her immigration status – see below.

4. Service and Caring

Our churches serve and extend care to people in their local communities in various ways, such as:

• Pastoral care, including visiting

• Coffee Mornings, Lunch Clubs and Soup Lunch

• Supporting foodbanks

• The Well café

• Toddler groups

• Engagement with schools, e.g. Collective Worship and ‘Open the Book’

• Sunday and Weekday activities for children and young people

• Holiday Clubs

• Fellowship Groups

• Uniformed Organisations

• Providing meeting spaces through hiring of premises

• Partnerships with other organisations, e.g. Second Helpings

• Singing groups and choirs

• Welcome Warm Spaces

• Plus may others….

The Circuit has actively supported a member of one of our churches who is an asylum seeker. Support has included attending the Immigration Reporting Centre and court hearings, writing letters, raising money for legal fees, providing opportunities for the individual to tell their story, and prayer support (including an all-night prayer vigil).

As a further expression of support and commitment, the Circuit Meeting chose to support Loughborough Town of Sanctuary as its annual charity. £1,274 was donated from circuit events.

5. Communication

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

The following meetings and initiatives contribute to effective communication within and beyond the circuit:

• Weekly staff meetings (most via Zoom; in-person once a month)

• Regular meetings of church officers holding similar responsibilities. This will be expanded and embedded in the coming year

• A quarterly Circuit Newsletter, including the Worship & Preaching Plan

• A renewed website with a more modern feel; this provides increased online presence for the local churches

• Active social media presence (Facebook and YouTube)

• Designated Circuit Stewards assigned to each Church Council

• Email circulation of notices / information via senior Church Stewards

We aim to:

• continue to improve our communication with churches

• provide resources for worship

• dedicate some CLT meetings to focus on individual churches, giving those churches an opportunity to submit questions and requests for prayer or assistance

• support the mission and ministry of local churches in whatever ways are possible

6. Resources

a. Staffing

Exploring our Circuit Vision, the Circuit Meeting took the decision in 2024 that cuts had to be made before new growth could begin. The outcome of these decisions was implemented this year.

• The Reverend Andrew Hollins (Superintendent Minister) took pastoral responsibility for the Methodist churches in Stamford, Oakham, Uppingham and Ketton.

• The Reverend Bekkie Wright took responsibility for Bourne, Ryhall, Empingham, Deeping and Thurlby Methodist churches.

• The lay worker roles were redefined to become (1) Pastoral and Discipleship, (2) Discipleship and Evangelism. Only the Pastoral and Discipleship post is currently filled, by Mr Phil Jones. The Discipleship and Evangelism post remains desirable, but the Circuit Meeting has recognised the prudence of holding back from fulling this post until the circuit’s finances have stabilised and/or other funding options can be sourced.

• A part-time Administrator supports the work of the circuit.

• The recruitment process for a part-time Circuit Operations Manager, funded by a grant from the Northampton Methodist District, has begun.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

• From May to July 20205, the Superintendent Minister, Rev. Andrew Hollins, took a scheduled three-month sabbatical freed from normal ministerial duties with the aim of re-equipping, refreshment, and renewal. The District Chair, Rev. Sonia Hicks, was the Acting Superintendent Minister during this person. However, the day-to-day running of the circuit was overseen by Rev. Bekkie Wright, supported by one of our supernumerary ministers, Rev. Paul Cockburn. A sabbatical support group oversaw arrangements for the sabbatical; this worked well.

b. Office Holding Roles

No relevant changes relating to trusteeship.

7. Legal / Methodist Church Requirements

a. Safeguarding

• Creating Safer Space (CSS) Foundation Module training courses have been held throughout the Circuit.

• The Circuit Safeguarding Officer (Mrs. Charlotte Davis), Mrs. Audrey Hensman and Rev. Andrew Hollins are accredited to deliver the CSS Foundation Module training.

• The Circuit Safeguarding Officer has enabled the mandated people to access CSS Advanced Module training in person or online.

• Safeguarding audits were undertaken for all nine churches, and also for the circuit. The audits have been reviewed during the year.

• We use the recommended Methodist Church safeguarding policies and procedures across the circuit.

• Advice is sought from the District Safeguarding Officer when needed.

• The Circuit Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually.

• A database is maintained of all safeguarding training and DBS requirements.

• The Circuit Safeguarding Officer meets with the church safeguarding officers and presbyters several times each year.

• Safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda for all official meetings of the circuit and local churches.

• Churches have been issued with a special safeguarding die to stimulate discussion of safeguarding at meetings when there may be nothing specific to consider.

b. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) / Justice, Dignity & Solidarity (JDS)

• The Methodist Church EDI training course has been delivered by Revs. Bekkie Wright and Andrew Hollins twice during the year.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

• EDI/JDS is on the agenda for the Circuit Meeting and all Church Council meetings.

c. GDPR

• Churches are supported in their engagement/compliance with the requirements of GDPR via the processes provided by The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP)

• We are working to ensure that each local church appoints a Data Champion.

• Significant progress has been made with data mapping for the churches and the circuit.

• A first meeting of Data Champions has been planned, with the aim of embedding support and compliance as good practice is shared.

d. Property

• Following the September 2024 changes in staffing, the Circuit Meeting approved the rental of the vacant manse in Oakham; proceeds from this will support the circuit’s mission. The letting will be kept under review.

e. Finances

• During the year we continued to work with TMCP to identify the legitimate uses to which some of our restricted funds can be used. The Circuit Meeting, committing to use the realised funds carefully and to support our mission, agreed to apply to derestrict some of these funds.

• Account balances have been monitored by the CLT and Circuit Meeting. Funds are transferred from reserves as and when needed, following appropriate procedures and permissions.

• The Circuit Stewards and Ministers meet with the Church Treasurers twice each year, for general support and sharing of good practice, as well as to consider the circuit assessment and work on the circuit budget.

• The circuit has been running at a significant deficit for several years. This was identified in 2022/23 with remedial attention being given to this in subsequent years. The focus has been to decrease the annual deficit, with the Circuit Meeting committing to reach a break-even balance by 1[st] September 2026. Therefore, it is pleasing to note that there was a small surplus at the end of the Methodist financial year.

• Our financial statements accounts and reserves policy are attached towards the end of this report.

f. Governance

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

• Risk Register: During this year the CLT began a process of identifying and assessing various risks associated with circuit life. A Risk Register is being developed. Work will continue on this into 2025/26, when the Register will be presented to the Circuit Meeting.

• Role Descriptions: Work has begun on formalising role descriptions for circuit officers; The Role Description for Circuit Stewards was approved by the Circuit Meeting.

• Social Media Policy: This was approved by the Circuit Meeting. Work continues to implement this throughout the circuit.

Objectives, Aims and Purposes of the Stamford Methodist Circuit

In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Circuit Meeting has carefully considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. This guidance sets out two key principles:

• The organisation must have an identifiable benefit.

• The benefit must be to the public or a section of the public.

These principles are met within the registered aims and objectives of the Methodist Church in Great Britain (‘The Methodist Church’ or ‘The Church’) to which we adhere.

The aim of the Methodist Church in Great Britain is to fulfil its calling, which is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of:

• a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;

• b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;

• c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;

• d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church

To this end we use the Circuit’s resources in line with Our Calling to:

• increase awareness of God's presence and celebrate God's love;

• help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care;

• be a good neighbour to people in need and challenge injustice; and

• make more followers of Christ.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

We exercise these missional objectives in the civic areas of Rutland and South Kesteven (part of Lincolnshire), particularly focussing on the communities in which we have a physical presence through our chapel buildings – the towns/villages of The Deepings, Thurlby, Bourne, Stamford, Ryhall, Ketton, Empingham, Oakham and Uppingham. We also have an online prayer/worship presence.

The trustees consider that for these reasons the charity meets the public benefit requirements.

Circuit Mission & Policy Statement

In partnership with other Christians, the nine churches of the Stamford Circuit exist to:

• Spread the Good News of the life changing love of God as seen in Jesus Christ and experienced through the Holy Spirit

• Enable individuals and groups to grow in faith and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ

• Demonstrate God’s love for all people

• Encourage and support each other in seeking and fulfilling the will of God

We work together towards the above aims as follows:

Worship

• To offer our best to God in heartfelt praise, honest reflection and prayerful concern

• Offering various styles and emerging patterns of worship to meet a range of spiritual needs and, so far as is possible, relevant to the society in which we live.

• On-going training of preachers and worship leaders, and encouraging people to respond to the call of God

Nurture

• Supporting and training all who work with children and young people.

• Offering appropriate Bible study, fellowship, prayer and study groups/courses.

• Encourage folk to consider becoming a part of God’s community, the Church.

Pastoral Care

• Maintaining and developing effective pastoral care networks for people of all ages within and beyond the Church.

• Emphasising the importance of our circuit family in mutual care and support

• Providing safe space for all.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Sharing the Good News of Christ

• Inviting those involved in church and community groups to meet Jesus Christ and grow in Christian faith.

• Creating opportunities and enabling our people to share faith in relevant ways.

• Creating opportunities to offer children Christian faith through holiday clubs, weeknight activities and schools work.

Service

Both at home and in the world context:

• Prayerfully and intentionally supporting those who work out their faith in secular employment or voluntary work.

• Meeting people’s needs as God calls us, wherever

• possible and appropriate, with other agencies.

• Enacting social justice and supporting the World Church.

• Supporting and standing with the poor and the marginalised.

Safeguarding statement

It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the importance of welcome, hospitality and openness in demonstrating the nature of God’s grace and love for all.

Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, offered to all people.

Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. https://stamfordmethodistcircuit.org/safeguarding/

We encourage every congregation and each individual to engage with us and to participate in all that we do, both locally and circuit wide.

16[th] June 2026

The Reverend Andrew J. L. Hollins Superintendent Minister

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Structure

Stamford Methodist Circuit is one of the circuits which make up the Northampton Methodist District. The District Chair is The Reverend Dr Sonia Hicks

Trustee body

The Circuit Meeting of the Stamford Methodist Circuit is the managing trustee body of the Circuit. Its constitution and membership are governed by the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church, Volume 2, Book 3, Part 5. (CPD). The Circuit Meeting membership is drawn from the local churches, circuit officers, and other ex-officio persons. A list of the managing trustees serving at the time of submitting this report can be found in the following pages.

The Circuit consists of the following churches

Bourne	Abbey Road, Bourne	PE10 9EF
Minister: Rev.	Bekkie Wright
Deepings	Church Street, Deeping St James	PE6 8TL
Minister: Rev.	Bekkie Wright
Empingham	Main Street, Empingham	LE15 8PR
Minister: Rev.	Bekkie Wright
Ketton	Bull Lane, Ketton	PE9 3TB
Minister: Rev.	Andrew Hollins
Oakham	Northgate, Oakham	LE15 6FH
Minister: Rev.	Andrew Hollins
Ryhall	Mill Lane, Ryhall	PE9 4HF
Minister: Rev.	Bekkie Wright
Stamford	11 Barn Hill, Stamford	PE9 2AE
Minister: Rev.	Andrew Hollins
Thurlby	High Street, Thurlby	PE10 0ED
Minister: Rev.	Bekkie Wright
Uppingham	Orange Street, Uppingham	LE15 9SQ
Minister: Rev.	Andrew Hollins

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

The Circuit Ministry Team

At the date of signing this report, the members of the circuit ministry team were: Superintendent Minister: Rev. Andrew Hollins Presbyter stationed to the circuit: Rev. Bekkie Wright Lay Worker (Pastoral & Discipleship Enabler): Mr. Philip Jones

Circuit Leadership Team (CLT)

The CLT is made up of the members of the Circuit Ministry Team, the Circuit Stewards and the Circuit Safeguarding Officer. Other people may be co-opted to the CLT as needs arise.

The CLT meet to consider, plan and pray for the strategy, mission and ministry of the circuit. The CLT meets at least 6 times per year. For the latter part of this year it has been meeting monthly.

Circuit Stewards

The Circuit Stewards are responsible, with the Superintendent Minister and other ministers and probationers appointed to the Circuit, for the spiritual and material well-being of the Circuit, and for upholding and acting upon the decisions of the Circuit Meeting.

Sarah Atwell-King, Barry Streets (Finance) and Moyra Collins served as Circuit Stewards this year. Moyra Collins resigned (retired) as of the end of Circuit Meeting on 16th June 2026.

Circuit Safeguarding Officer (CSO)

The Circuit Safeguarding Officer is responsible for promoting the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable adults within the circuit, acting as a point of reference, and providing guidance on safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate training and DBS checks are undertaken. The CSO serving in the year and at the date of signing this report was Charlotte Davis.

Meetings which support the work and life of the circuit

Local Preachers & Worship Leaders Meeting

The Local Preachers’ and Worship Leaders’ Meeting is responsible for oversight of all local preachers. Ever Local Preacher is accountable to the meeting. This quarterly meeting of all preachers (lay and ordained) and Worship Leaders within the circuit is responsible for enabling continuing development, support and encouragement of all those involved with these ministries.

An annual service of Holy Communion is held in each Connexional Year, during which the Preachers and Worship Leaders renew their commitment to their calling.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Circuit Online Ministry team

The team is made up of lay and ordained preachers, plus other volunteers, who enable, prepare and lead online acts of worship and prayer throughout the year.

Circuit Worship Planning

Circuit Services are arranged quarterly by the Circuit Ministry Team and/or the CLT to offer preaching and worship which relates to the life, mission and ministry of the wider circuit. The Superntendent Minister is responsible for the quarterly Worship and Preaching Plan. The Superintendent meets with colleagues to produce the Plan from information gathered by the Circuit Administrator.

Church Treasurers’ Meeting

Church Treasurers meet with the Ministers and Circuit Stewards twice a year to consider the apportionment of the annual circuit assessment and other financial matters.

Church Safeguarding Officers meeting

Church Safeguarding Offices meet twice a year with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and the Ministers to review and implement safeguarding arrangements, as well as to support one another in their work.

Church Stewards’ meeting

The Church Stewards meeting is a new initiative which was introduced this year. The Stewards were invited to meet together for worship, prayer encouragement and support. The first meeting was successful and it is planned to meet twice each year in future.

Social Justice Forum

Attempts to resume this ad hoc gathering of interested/committed people have foundered. The circuit’s commitment to social justice remains strong, and is expressed in other ways, e.g. through our circuit charities. Alternative ways to integrate this important area into circuit life will be considered in the future.

Circuit Social Group

This is an ad-hoc working group to discuss and plan for various social events across the circuit The main events are the Circuit Farm Weekend and Circuit Quiz, both of which also raise funds for the circuit charity/charities.

Circuit Invitation Committee (CIC)

This ‘standing committee’ is responsible, in line with the stationing processes set down by the Methodist Church, is responsible for the local aspects of coordinating invitations to

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

ministers according to the relevant Standing Orders in CPD. Providing it has received delegated permission, the CIC enacts the decisions of the Circuit Meeting.

The membership, agreed by the Circuit Meeting, is:

• The Superintendent Minister (or their nominated deputy) *

• One other Presbyter stationed in the circuit

• Two Circuit Stewards

• One representative (e.g. Church Steward) of each church in the appointment being considered.

• If the Superintendent Minister’s appointment is under consideration, the District Chair (or their nominated representative) is involved.

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stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31 August 2025 CIRcurr RECEIPTS ANO PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS STAMFORD CirrJJtt FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 NORTHAMPTON District Circuit no 23115 Rog1$tw￿ Charlty- ChaTIty Reglstratlon number 1160930 If not a regi$tgr8d charity His Majestys R8v8nue and Customs Glft Ald numb•r h8 HMRC number 15 eouNalent to a regtstered charity number in t8mi$ of evid8nc8 of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grantfunders w5hing to see evidence of the organisation's charitsbie status. Methodist chaTiknes in Engknd an¢J Wales that are not regi%tered charittes are eX￿pIed frcmn reglstr2ttot) under Statuiory Instrument 2014 No.242) MSnSsters'. REV. ANDREW HOLLINS REV REBECCA WRIGHT Gircuf( Stewards: MRS. MOYRA COLLINS MRS. SARAH ATWELL KING MR. BARRY STREETS T￿s{Irar. MR. BARRY STREETS 1 of I 171Page

stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31 August 2025 STMIFOPD Clrcuft A¢￿11T5 FOR ThE YEPA ENDED 31 ￿qUIt ZD25 TOta￿th ar Tohhlast )Yar Un.N•trfrt•d F￿dI Clt¢uhlA•l•l thtrtdld Fun SE¢TKIN A RECEIPTS Nol• 210,350 189,653 42 A&sgssThnVSh8re a3 Bank and CFB Inter&￿and In¥85b￿nI 3250 1,378 6,047 9.329 19230 235,627 (Nherretyp TOTIL RECEIPTS 19,230 230,999 201,092 3,250 1178 SECnON B PAYMENTS sWLts.Sa&r￿S, NIC. Pen￿on3nd vel costs b2 139,319 28,473 183,658 19.942 3,058 Manse Costs 28.473 3.376 AdrninistraLwetc 3,376 51,862 62.170 DithdAsse5rn1 1,743 Gwts & don8￿$ b7 994 9,620 272,448 Other pajrynenls TOTAL PAYMENTS 657 227 b9 221,944 1,970 224,024 Ib91 SECllON C NET REC&PTSPAYMENTS FOR THE a719 9,055 1,280 1268 11,803 71,356 Totsl tundsbiou htlomaidfrw ￿51 63.179 69,721 24,366 157,266 228,622 Subtotsl cl+c2 72.234 71,001 25,634 168,869 157286 Transkn and￿.￿Str￿ents 5,315 5,315 c7 TOTILFVNOSAT END OFYEAR Ic3+t41 77,549 71,OQ1 20,319 168,869 157,266 ¢6 SEcnoN D FORINFORhlATfoN ONLY.. MONEY REGENED AIID PASSED ON TO EXTERNALORGAI41SATIONS Ihese amounts 5houldnotbe included in lotsl rece5 ts1 ents abo￿> Ba￿￿e bfo hllThard Iiom last crften Grfts . rew¥ed *otextem anisabons O￿￿0￿Gffl$-￿$5ed1OeXlernalOr9a￿1s3ti0ns SMLL TOBE P￿D d1+d2.d3 1,897 271 d2 d3 1,274 3,171 2,654 1.028 NIL 1.897 181 Page

stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31 August 2025 $TAhlFORO PAMARY ¥£CllQNE 1n8iwiécw1sBnd￿y￿MstolII5￿Iho¢lrwrt Iiur05SlrtomeKtÉtrtsVA(Uua5￿￿SI￿dd t2rt￿. 1h¥￿th￿At￿￿￿IfvJQI￿WnWhNDA0IFFEREMTFQRum￿51lU5gd1or￿￿rtlheawntsI5FB NBIR￿410 IPIIÉRMIL OR&4tr4ISAT￿P4S 11.603 157,266 168,869 n&627 2¥Q24 168.869 ÈLDByc￿Gu1T &621 224D24 11,603 157,266 TOT PAIWENtS TOT￿REcEIPTs I￿t01￿5r0￿ SEc￿oNF 5TATEMENrOFA55ETSMDi￿E￿TrES OPENING BILWICES CLOSING R¢Utr-CtsHFUtIDSMELDa131 J uIt29Z5 NIL NIL NIL 56.188 96.427 93. 5U8YDTAL 157,266 168,869 TOTAL￿NFUNDSHELD9Yc￿u 157.266 SEcnoNG 168,869 OIHERA$5EfSin¢u￿LrnEB 7134 7118 1.795.OTT 91 191 Page

stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31 August 2025 NameofCircuil..STAMFORD..................... ..23115.... IndePende￿t Exalninerfs Statement I have compleled my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection whh the examinatSon (other than that disclosed belovf) ￿leh give me cause Èo believe that in. any material respect- the accounting records were not kept in 8¢¢ordance with sedon 130 of Art the accounts do not accord wth the accounting records. I have no cOn￿mS and have come across no other matters In connecbon vAlh the 8X8mlnatlon to whlch attents.on should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undeTStandin9 of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of 811 investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Pu￿0$e8 or held in other trusts. bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church vthich are Indlvldualty in excess of £10.000 {ten thousand pounds) at the balan shget date. Signature of inclependent examingr Name of independent examiner .Jan Simmonds.. Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ..CIMA (retlredl...... Name of firm (where appropriatel Add￿5$ .13 Perth Road, Stamford.................................................................. Post Code PE9 2TX... -2910912025.............................. delete or arcle as ap￿o￿ate l of 1 201 Page

stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31 August 2025 NarrE ofCircurt......Starnford............ ..... No...ZJ115.. Declarations and Scrutiny I confim ththe5e Reriptand P8yffnt based ￿￿n1$fo[thE yearlo 31 AUg￿t 2025 ha￿ been prepared trom the reL¥rd50fthe Cirtuil and Ihalthey indude all hnds underlhe control ofthe cir￿11 mÉatin9. SigTralure of treasurer............... Nwme and address oltreagurer.. STRE 91, MILLFIELO ROAD, MORTON, BOURNE PE10 ONU. Presetbtstion tDthe Clrtuit rnee￿ng I confim Ikwl the annual repDrt and attoutts forlhe year er￿ed 31 August 2￿5Y￿￿]I I be. to thè CIr￿it Meeti￿ h8ld on IQ: z: 16 S￿llatUre of the Chlr of the rneetirvj .. ........ Name oflhe Chairoflhe meebw .￿￿￿LS..3,.￿. Independent Examiner's Reportto thè T￿￿teeS of the Stsmford Circuit Charity MuM￿r 1160930 Respon8ibilitiES and basis of report I report lothe Irusis on my e￿Mination ofthe 8(IXUnts ofthe. STAITFORD Circuit forihe year endeLI 31 August 2025 sètoul on pages 1 10 2. As the Circuifstntstee5. YOU are rÈwn5ibleforlhe prepar3tkon of I accounts In accordsnce wth the fequirfAn&nts of 1￿C￿nI1e5ACt 20111.lhe ACVI. I report in reS￿ct0f myex8minabon ofthe Circuit's a¢￿uniS (ztried out under8ecbon 145 of theActand. in Carr￿n9 outmy ex8minats'on. I havè follow￿ all the appli(xbk Dire¢bDnS g￿en by Charity comrNS6h￿ undersecbon 14I5Xbl of th&Art. "delete (K£arde as apwopriate

Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Financial Policies

Stamford Circuit Reserves Policy

This document includes all funds held by the Circuit Meeting as charity trustees. Our Reserves Policy relates to our general (unrestricted) funds which are freely available to be used for any or all of the purposes of the Circuit.

Other funds are also included for the sake of clarity and openness and to show that the Circuit has a policy for the management of all of its money not simply those which are defined as reserves.

1. General Policy

There should be at all times sufficient unrestricted funds to cover at a minimum 50% of the budgeted costs for the current year. Where particular expenditure is anticipated, a specific reserve will be set aside to cover that cost. Aims

Our aim is twofold:

• To secure and sustain the Circuit’s viability and future.

• To give reassurance to the general public that the Circuit intends to use all of the money coming into its care for the purposes of the charity.

2. Mission Policy

The Circuit’s Mission Policy is set out earlier in this report. It was approved by the Circuit Meeting (as the managing trustees) on 18th September 2025.

It provides for

• The ministerial oversight and pastoral care of the nine local churches in the Circuit.

• The support of a ministry team of: -

• two full time ministers

• two part time Lay Workers (one of these posts is unfilled @ 16/06/26)

• o one part time Circuit Administrator

• The maintenance of three Circuit manses, one of which is let short term.

3. Financial Plans

• The Circuit Assessment is reviewed annually and seeks to cover the budgeted costs of Section 1 above. It is based on contributions of each church towards the total cost. Any shortfall is supplied, by agreement of the Circuit Meeting, from the Circuit Model Trust Fund.

• The Circuit Assessment will also aim to cover the anticipated maintenance costs of the manses.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Unrestricted Funds

Under Standing Orders the Circuit must meet its financial obligations in relation to the maintenance of the manses. The total cost for the last financial year was £27.743 (FY 23/24 £19.942).

Balance @ 31/08/25 £148.549 (FY 23/24 £132,900)

Restricted Funds

The circuit has three restricted funds; the Model Trust Fund (formerly Circuit Advance Fund), Manse Maintenance Fund and Ministerial Assistance Fund.

Model Trust Fund

This fund derives from the sale of chapels and manses and its use is restricted by Conference. This restriction is an internal regulation, though the fund can be used for a variety of purposes.

Balance @ 31/08/25 £71,001 (FY 23/24 £69,721)

Manse Maintenance Fund

This fund is designated towards maintaining the manses.

Balance @ 31/08/25 £nil (FY 23/24 £28)

Ministerial Assistance Fund

This fund is for ministers’ support.

Balance @ 31/08/25 £3,243 (FY 23/24 £7,988)

Endowment Funds

Three endowment funds are held, all of which are bequests. These are held by TMCP as the Custodian Trustee.

The income from these funds (net of admin charges) is treated as unrestricted income for the circuit and can be spent for any circuit purposes. The capital value of the bequests therefore remains constant, subject to valuations. The circuit policy is to maintain these bequests in line with the perceived donor’s wishes.

George Waddey Bequest – This is a Permanent Endowment and therefore only the income can be spent. Due to the size of the bequest, the circuit has the option of releasing these funds for general circuit use with the approval of the circuit meeting and in line with the Charity Commission guidelines. This bequest dates from circa 1900. Value @ 31/08/25 £866 (FY 23/24 £870)

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

G Marsh Bequest – This is an unconditional bequest, and the capital can be used for any Methodist purpose at the discretion of the circuit

Value @ 31/08/25 £7331 (FY 23/24 £7,322)

B Sims Bequest –The money was endowed to the Circuit to be managed by TMCP. Value @ 31/08/25 £1150 (FY 23/24 £1,177)

Approval

Approved by Trustees on 16[th] June 2026

The Reverend Andrew J. L. Hollins Superintendent Minister

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK DELIBERATELY.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Trustees serving at the time of signing the report (DQ = Dual Qualification)

Trustee Name	Office	Name of body entitled to appoint Trustee
Rev Andrew Hollins	Superintendent Minister	Methodist Conference
Rev Rebecca Helen Wright	Minister – Presbyter	Methodist Conference
Rev William Paul Henry Booker	Supernumerary Presbyter	Circuit Meeting
Mr Philip Delwyn Vaughan Jones(DQ)	Lay Worker: Pastoral & DiscipleshipEnabler	Circuit Meeting
Mr Barry Charles Streets (DQ)	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Moyra Collins	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Sarah Atwell-King	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Charlotte Davis (DQ)	Circuit Safeguarding Officer	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Nina Jane Rawlins	Methodist Women in Britain	Circuit Meeting
Rev Nigel Coke-Woods	Circuit Local Preachers’ MeetingSecretary	Circuit Local Preachers’ Meeting
Miss Margaret Louise Stones (DQ)	Connexional Funds Secretary	Circuit Meeting
Ms Jean Suff	Circuit Property	Circuit Meeting
Ms Olive Ruvimbo Ruzvidzo	Northampton District Synod & Methodist Conference representative	Circuit Meeting
Mr Philip Delwyn Vaughan Jones(DQ)	Northampton District Synod representative	Circuit Meeting
Mr Barry Charles Streets (DQ)	Northampton District Synod representative	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Audrey Hensman (DQ)	Northampton District Synod representative	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Georgina Finn	Treasurer – Bourne MC	Bourne Church Council
Mr Jonathan Francis Batstone	Treasurer – Deepings MC	Deepings Church Council
Mr GeoffreyAllan Heathcote	Treasurer – Ketton MC	Ketton Church Council
Mrs Nadine Denise Mackie	Treasurer – Oakham MC	Oakham Church Council
Mrs Charlotte Davis(DC)	Treasurer – Ryhall MC	Ryhall Church Council
Mrs Francis Coles	Treasurer – Stamford MC	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Eileen Ray	Treasurer – Empingham MC	Empingham Church Council
Dr David Cappitt	Treasurer – ThurlbyMC	ThurlbyChurch Council
Dr Christopher Howard Sworn	Treasurer – Uppingham MC	Uppingham Church Council

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2025

Mrs Elizabeth Clare Hodgson	Stamford MC Steward	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Vivienne Jean Higgins	Stamford MC representative	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Janet Elizabeth Hetherington	Stamford MC representative	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Audrey Hensman	Stamford MC representative	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Joyce Terrett	Oakham MC Steward	Oakham Church Council
Mr Graham Stapleton	Oakham MC representative	Oakham Church Council
Mr Stephen Matthew Fallow	Ketton MC representative	Ketton Church Council
Mrs Elizabeth Ann Heathcote	Ketton MC Steward	Ketton Church Council
Mr Ian Ray	Empingham MC Steward	Empingham Church Council
Mrs Sally Anne Marchant	Empingham MC representative	Empingham Church Council
Miss Margaret Louise Stones (DQ)	Uppingham MC Steward	Uppingham Church Council
Ms Olive Ruvimbo Ruzvidzo (DQ)	Uppingham MC representative	Uppingham Church Council
Mr Roger AnthonyMacey	Bourne MC Steward	Bourne Church Council
Mr Peter David Wright	Bourne MC representative	Bourne Church Council
Mr Christopher James Pursehouse	Deepings MC Steward	Deepings Church Council
Mrs. Hazel Batstone	Deepings MC representative	Deepings Church Council
Mrs Muriel Anne Grimes	ThurlbyMC Steward	ThurlbyChurch Council
Mr Christopher Barber	Thurlby MC representative	Thurlby Church Council
Mrs Sandra Wadkins	Ryhall MC Steward	Ryhall Church Council
Mrs Margaret Cameron	Ryhall MC representative	Ryhall Church Council

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