- East Durham Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2022 23
The East Durham methodist circuit is made up of 9 Methodist Churches, grouped under 3 church councils in order to streamline our governance and support our smaller congrega<ons.
During the year 2022-23 our Circuit churches con<nued working to build up our presence and outreach in the local communi<es. As a Methodist Circuit our key aims can be expressed through the four categories of the Methodist Church’s “Our Calling” framework which are: Worship, Learning and Caring, Serving and Evangelism.
As such we exist to:
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Enable individuals and communi<es to par<cipate in, and encounter God through acts of worship
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Encourage people to explore the Chris<an life and faith, and grow in knowledge an understanding of God
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Serve the needs of our local communi<es and demonstrate the love of God in prac<cal ways
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Share the Chris<an faith in word and deed
A Brief Financial Review of the Year
We have in general achieved our financial targets for the year.
Income
All churches have been able to maintain their assessments
We have a large number of leRng arrangements with community groups working in our buildings. This helps maintain the income for the individual churches and provides a range of services for the local communi<es.
Expenditure
Salaries and s<pends were increased in line with the Methodist Church policy and the living wage.
Other expenditure included s<pends/salaries, manse maintenance, travel costs etc.
Plans for 2023-24
Our financial plans for the coming year were prepared on the basis that we would be maintaining Circuit ministerial staff of one Superintendent, and one full <me Presbyter. We also have a part-<me Circuit Administrator.
Basis of PreparaCon and Legal Framework
The chari<es annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st August 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the “Chari<es Act 2011” and the “Chari<es Statement of Recommended Prac<ce 2015” as applicable to the “Financial Repor<ng Standard (FRS) 102”.
Details
Full Name of Charity –East Durham Methodist Circuit
Main Contact Address – Rev Jenny Porterpryde, 9 Gressingham Close, Barley Meadows, Cramlington. NE236AD
The members of the East Durham Circuit Mee<ng are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of our circuit office holders, ministers and representa<ves appointed by the local churches.
Circuit Ministers.
Rev Alf Waite. ( Circuit Superintendent) Rev Dawn Brown
Mr John Brereton acted as the treasurer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accoun<ng for the circuit during the year.
Independent Examiner
Investments and Bank Accounts
Aims and OrganisaCon
Charity objec<ve is to act as a resource provider within Houghton-leSpring, Hedon-le-Hole, Seaham and the surrounding smaller towns and villages. The purposes of the Methodist Church are, and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union, the advancement of:
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The Chris<an faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church.
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Any charitable purpose for the <me being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisa<ons of the Methodist Church.
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Any charitable purpose for the <me being of any society or ins<tu<on subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
Charitable objec<ves are delivered through the provision of ac<vi<es and services, which include:
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The organisa<on and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.
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Conduc<ng bap<sms, wedding and funerals on behalf of the Methodist Church.
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The teaching of Chris<anity through sermons, courses and small groups.
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The resourcing of pastoral work including visi<ng the sick and bereaved.
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Provision of community space and support.
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Promo<on of Chris<anity through the staging of events and services.
We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit.
Structure and Management
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and the Methodist Church Act (1976).
Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Cons<tu<onal Prac<ce and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team along with the Local Preachers Mee<ng and the Circuit Finance and Property (part of CLT) and the Circuit Policy Commidee (past of CLT).
Trustee Training
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effec<ve running of the circuit – specifically the leaflet “The Role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church” is given to all new Circuit Mee<ng members as induc<on to their role as Trustees.
Related ParCes
The Circuit is part of the Newcastle Upon Tyne Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Circuit: Houghton -le-Spring Hedon -le-Hole Trinity Shiney Row East Rainton Middle Herrington St John’s Fencehouses St Paul’s Murton
Risk Management
Any major risks iden<fied will be recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team (none have been iden<fied) and professional advice will be taken if required.
Risk assessments are carried out for church buildings and for events organised by the Circuit.
Income and expenditure are monitored in total and compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Safeguarding
Every person has value and dignity which comes directly from the crea<on of people in God’s own image and likeness. Chris<ans see this poten<al as fulfilled by Gods recrea<on of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional prac<ce outlines commitment to the following principles:
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The care and nurture and respecjul pastoral ministry with all children, young people and adults.
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The safeguarding and protec<on of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable.
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The establishing of safe, caring communi<es which provide a loving environment where this is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
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We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the church in line with the Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records, disclosures and registra<on with the relevant veRng and barring schemes.
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We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult child or young person may have been harmed, coopera<ng with the police and local authority in any inves<ga<on.
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We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
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We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in posi<on of trust.
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We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authori<es to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
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In all these principles we will follow legisla<on, guidance and recognised good prac<ce.
The East Durham Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementa<on of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legisla<on, guidance and safe prac<ce in the circuit and in the churches.
The East Durham Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibili<es in safeguarding and promo<ng the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
AcCviCes and Achievements
Through the leRng of our buildings, we facilitate a wide range of community services and projects. These include groups such as Recovery College, Sit and be Fit, Houghton Old People’s Enterprise, Scouts, Voicability, and others. The churches themselves offer weekly worship. Study groups, a Table Talk’ event in a local Weatherspoons, mid week services , charity coffee mornings, The Venue ( a parent and child group) Concerts, and Fairs.
Reserves Policy
The reserves policy for the circuit is to hold a minimum sum of equivalent to 4 months average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and/or be able to con<nue in the short term funding planned ac<vi<es in the event of any inability to raise the full circuit assessment from churches.
The Circuit Funds Document is attached.
EAST DURHAM METHODIST CIRCUIT
Receipts & Payments Account l[5][1 ] September, 2022 to 3![5][1 ] August, 2023
| RECEIPTS: | £ |
|---|---|
| Balance B/F | 3474.64 |
| Assessments | 110799.08 |
| Bank Loyalty Rewards | 15.47 |
| TMCP | 8000.00 |
| From Manse Account | 1220.00 |
| EDF Energy | 1030.08 |
| Repayment from BT | 813.09 |
| Other | 65.00 |
| ------------· | |
| £125417.36 | |
| PAYMENTS:- | |
| Stipends & Allowances | 77529.76 |
| Ministerial & Office Expenses | 3370.91 |
| Bank Charges | 181.55 |
| Telephones | 2854.58 |
| District Assessment | 26616.00 |
| Manse Property Account | 7549.54 |
| Printing & Stationery | 483.84 |
| Sintons | 538.00 |
| Gradons | 1200.00 |
| Audit | 564.00 |
| Hymns A& E | 143.00 |
| Grace Wine | 63.93 |
| Concept-Copier | 433.77 |
| Quinquennial | 1800.00 |
| Other | 211.28 |
| Magnet | 366.75 |
| Supernumeraries | 242.70 |
| Office | 528.93 |
| ·------------ | |
| £124678.54 | |
| BALANCE AT BANK 3ptAUGUST, 2023 | 738.82 |
| -------- | |
| £125417.36 |
Robt Miller & Co
Name ofCircJJit......... b..&.$.T....D.v..ri.rt.A.Iv................................... No 201.Iq... Independent Examin8rfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed belo) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect the accounting records were not kept in accordance with sectÉon 130 of the Actr. 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 b8 drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtsined independent verification of all investments with the Twstees 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 eXsS of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at Ihe balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner ..ST.E.V.k..N.. FLET..¢.r4.E.R......................... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm {where appropriatel . ..L70.QT_...m..I.L.L.L...... C O. Address 4.3.4. FRo.N.f....£.I IQFk.T,..C.LE.19.P.O.N ..V..¥.LL.F8fr&.......... Post Code SI76 7P6 Date delete or cirde as appropriate andtr23 5ofS