Trinity Methodist Church, Ellesmere Port
Trustees of Trinity Methodist Church, Ellesmere Port present their Annual Report for year ended 31st August 2020
Charity Commission: Registered Number 1162542
Official address: Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 0AE
The governing documents of the Methodist Church are the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976).
Methodist Church Act 1976 states
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be Purposes deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of —
(a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the 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 being a 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.
The Mission Statement of Trinity Methodist Church – based on “Our Calling” from the Methodist Church
“Trinity Methodist Church is a faith community that is seeking through its activities to share something of the love of God in Ellesmere Port and so respond to the call of Christ, to love God, and to love our neighbours."
Objectives
Underpinning all we seek to be and do are relationships with key partners to ensure we respond to the mission statement .
We seek always to live out God’s purpose and mission to our community through worship, witness, and service.
We will be an inclusive place of welcome to all at all times. We will not just be “church” on a Sunday.
We will seek to be as Christ to the very young through the generations to the more mature.
We will be a place of learning, prayer and discernment and promote a life-long journey of development in faith.
We will value the past, rejoice in the present and embrace the new.
We will care for the community and the environment and be good stewards of the earth’s resources.
We will be flexible in our actions and thinking and grasp opportunities to serve and witness.
We will work whenever possible with others of great faith or none. We will celebrate partnerships in the gospel with all who seek peace.
We will be holy risk takers.
We believe that, if done in God’s Spirit, all things are possible.
Core Principles
-
Inclusivity - offering an equal welcome to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, ability, or sexuality. We will be part of the inclusive church network.
-
Volunteering – creating vibrant opportunities to develop skills.
-
Nurturing –promoting positive, hope and grace filled relationships.
-
Discipling – looking for opportunities of God-filled conversations and spiritual growth through prayer
-
Serving – living the Jesus way embodying Christian hospitality
-
Transforming – developing community based activities which reveals the heart of Jesus of love and respect
-
Peace making – working with partners who promote peace.
-
Welcoming – becoming a place of welcome and creating safe spaces
Strategies/How will we do this?
Working in partnership with the Project Management team and key partners.
Worship
-
Amalgamate third Sunday worship into Glorious
-
Establish a weekly morning prayer service
-
Joint act of worship monthly with Hope Farm and Little Sutton
-
Develop our online presence with worship
-
Create a monthly service “café conversations”
Learning and Caring
-
Establish a network of welcomers/listeners – three per day who are trained and able to signpost individuals
-
Work in partnership with Hope farm and Little Sutton is establishing home groups and bible study groups
-
Join inclusive church network and place of welcome network
Service
-
Reorientation and engagement of volunteers as we emerge from lockdown
-
Create new volunteering opportunities partnering with local agencies
-
Re-establish a coffee bar with simplified menu avoiding duplication and competition with local cafes
-
Ensure partnerships are maintained with organisations which share our kingdom values in “feeding our sheep”
-
Hold an older persons holiday club
Evangelism
-
Establish lego church
-
Establish baptism packs and links to other events in church
-
Build and develop meaningful relationships with building users and look for opportunities to share the Jesus story
-
Run a series of social events – quiz nights
Governance – we will look for opportunities of engaging in discussion with group 3 churches in relation to shared governance.
Communication – we will set up joint communication protocols such as newsletters, magazine and welcome packs.
Collaboration – we will look for opportunities of working together, sharing resources and supporting Little Sutton and Hope Farm churches to create The Methodist Church in Ellesmere Port – on three sites.
We will continue to worship together in our joint services, Looking Deeper, New Song Café and Sung Communion.
The Administration of Trinity Methodist Church
The Church is held on the 1976 Model Trust by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, and the Church Council act as Managing Trustees.
Managing Trustees at 31st August 2020
| Chair | Rev Jacqueline Bellfield | Rev Jacqueline Bellfield |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary | Jean Armstrong | |
| Treasurer | Peter Colyer |
| Pastoral Secretary |
Pat Caswell and Brenda Sheard |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mission Dev Worker |
Nigel Mountford | |
| Safeguarding | Elaine Corry | |
| Property | Eric Parker | |
| Church Stewards |
Margo Burrows Eileen Germon Maureen Stanley May Thomas George Thorogood Muriel Thorogood |
Representatives from church: Beth Budd Jean Owen Janet Parker |
| RepresentativefromCircuit: FritzSchafer |
The Church Council appoints annually all Church Officers as determined from time to time by the Council whether on the nomination of a committee or otherwise; all such appointments being for the year commencing 1 May. The Council will also appoint the committees of the Church, again, as from 1 May each year. Elected Church Council members are appointed by the Annual Church meeting at which all Church members are eligible to vote.
Minister’s Report
The worshipping life of our church has been very different this year but we have remained open to fulfil our calling in serving our local community. We have had to re-imagine how we do things in order to be covid safe. My thanks must go to all who have enabled us to record, upload, and publish our services online. Alongside services which have been placed in the post we have been able to maintain a worshipping pattern.
Grateful thanks go to the team who have enabled this – our preachers, Steve, Suzanne, John and Pete. Pete has enabled so much to happen with his skills and our online presence is widely known. Also our thanks to Adrian, Pete and New Song Wirral for the music. We have had requests from other churches for the music and that evidences the great quality. Thank you. The average weekly attendance has been difficult to gauge because we can’t know for sure who or how many are accessing the services online. We have had some reports that there were a few ‘new’ people logging in and number have been growing. When we return to our buildings this ministry will continue – it allows so many others to engage in worship.
In addition to those who have enabled the safety of our building – we have ensured covid safe environments for our partnership working. Over 260,000 meals have been issued through Port Grocery and the Foodbank in full co-operation with Trinity Methodist Church. During lockdown 1, the full premise of the church was enabled for use of our partners at considerable cost to the church and its finances. 87 people were helped with hampers at Christmas, schools provided with food for needy families and cards issued to all businesses, the womens refuge provided with goods for families fleeing domestic abuse. Pastoral care and provisions given to many who visited the only church open in the area. Daily placing and praying for Covid deaths with black wool in the prayer garden has brought media interest from BBC, national and local along with premier radio. The local authority see the church
as a light in the high street – our mission, relationship and care has further enhanced that title.
People
We have seen some of our members join the heavenly realms and we will all certainly miss them. We are also aware that other congregation members have been bereaved during the last year and are struggling with their bereavement. It is painful and I reminded that in the midst of resurrection knowledge and hope Jesus wept for his friend. We weep and we rejoice.
Again, my thanks to all pastoral visitors and letter deliverers for your help and support.
We miss our colleague Nigel and we pray for strength and grace for Nigel and Sue in this very difficult time.
Presence
Alongside our online presence the banner “feed our sheep”, hamper deliveries and food deliveries has enabled our mission to be developed and maintained.
Finally
As we go into the future growing God’s Kingdom has to remain our focus as we reach out to people where they and their interests are. We have to move forward with all we have learned from this last year and we must seek a new vision. These things must involve our prayer, dedication, and commitment both in time and resources. I ask your continued support in our shared and evolving ministry to the people of Little Sutton and beyond. Our focus is on preparing our mission plan in partnership with Little Sutton and Hope Farm. Our strength in Christ is through our togetherness.
b) Church Steward’s Report – During the lockdown period it has been impossible to meet for face to face church council meetings.
Information has been provided via post, email and through direct contact with church stewards and members in relation to worship, personnel and finances.
Zoom meetings have taken place in relation to the mission and vision of Trinity and also separate meetings in partnership with Hope Farm and Little Sutton to create a “Methodist Church in Ellesmere Port” mission plan. The Trinity mission plan is attached.
Trinity Management Group has continued to meet via zoom to review and oversee the work of the project. This has focused on personnel issues and room usage and finances.
Sadly, our dear colleague Nigel has been absent since October 2020. Our thoughts and prayers continued to be with Sue and Nigel. Gill Clayton temporarily will be working 25 hours per week to cover some of this work.
Cheryl was furloughed for significant part of the lockdown period and has resumed her 20 hrs per week work. Jenny was part furloughed working at the end of each day to clean. Rev Jackie has been at Trinity throughout ensuring our links with the community have been maintained.
c) Property steward’s report – property aspects of our premises are being routinely maintained to a level that meets all related statutory and discretionary requirements – the premises continue to be fit-for-purpose and during the lockdown improved in relation to our obligation set out in the quinquennial report. There are parts of the building where the condition of the paintwork and plaster are extremely poor and advice has been sought in relation to this.
d) Safeguarding – DBS and online safeguarding have been undertaken for key officers in the church. The Church project operates via a paid volunteer co-ordinator and ensures safer recruitment for volunteers including the obtaining of references.
e) Ladies Fellowship – Sadly for the most part the fellowship had not met yet will resume in September in a newly renovated room.
f) Finance – During the course of the year members have been faithful in maintaining offering. Due to the lockdown the churches income has reduced primarily due to the reduction in external lets. Please see the attached files.
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
TRINITY ELLESMERE PORT
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2020
| Circuit WIRRAL |
Circuit no | 18/9 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity - Charity Registration number | ||
| 1162542 |
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence 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 registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
| Minister: | |
|---|---|
| Rev Jackie Bellfield | |
| Church Stewards: | |
| Margo Burows | George Thorogood |
| May Thomas | Muriel Thorogood |
| Eileen Germon | Maureen Stanley |
| Jean Armstorng | |
| Treasurer: | |
| Mr Peter Colyer |
Church R and P 2015.xls
1 of 5
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting 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 concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention (other than that disclosed below*):
-
(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 accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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 if they do not apply appropriate
(3) I have/have not* obtained 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 appropriate
Name Ron Calver Signature R Calver Relevant Professional qualification or body FIA Address 15 Queens Drive, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 6SH Date 14/03/2020
5 of 5
2015 church R and P.xls