C5rcult Accruals Accounts THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 Augusl 2024 South Worcestershire Methodist Circuit (05116) Registered Charity Number 1164581 South Worcemershlre Methodlst ClrvJit1051161 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 2024 PaRe I Inirodurtlon South Worce5ter5hire Methodist fjrcuit is a small but Yibrant C4rcuit with churthes based around the dtyof Worcester and the towns ol Droitwich, Evesham and Malvern. It contain5 both rural and urban area5 and all in between. Aims and organlsatlon As Methodlsts in South Worcestershlre, mlndful ol'our Calling. and the Priorttles of the Methodist Church, we seek to serve, enable, inspire and challenge our member churthès to en8a8e In God's mlssion in a changlng world by.. Providing opportunities to grow together as Spirit-led, grace-filled, Jesus-centered people of God. • Asslstlng our churches In intteasing awarenes5 of God's presenté and sharing the l¢)vè ol God In our communi￿*5. Helpin8 our churches to work for1ust1￿ and peace for all people, and Ca￿ lor the environment. Re￿¢W ofthe ytaf South Worcestershire Methodistcircuif has fulfilled its objettwes during the last year by supportin8 the thurches withln the CifCUIt providinE Christian ministry in their localities. Whilst the Churches experienced a negative effect on their ￿seNe$ followlng the pandemic, they have worked hard to respond in innovatNe ways and are continuing to ￿0)ver, although various challenge5 remain. Congregations consist of merr.bers able to atte4d woryhip physically, and those who wor5hlp online from home,. several churches have embraced this hybrid approath by iftvesting li resources and training to enable this. Rev Katherine Pickering continued a5 Actsn8 Superintendent throughout 2023-24, with supernumerary ministers undertakln8 additional work to support the Acting Superintendent and pro¥ide cover f￿staff on sitk leave and sabbatical. In addition to the 5uperintendenL the Circuit has supported 3 full-tSme presbyters and a full-tlme deacon to exertise pastoral oversight of the 8 churches that now make up the Circuil and also a part-tSme presbyterwho was stationed to the Circult In lune 2Q23 to take pastoral chargé at Evesham Methodist Churth until Au8USt 2024 lin tbe absence of the Superintendentl,. unfortunatÈlv this rol& was also Impacted by staff gickne5s leave. A new Superfntendent minister Rev Ellzabeth Harris has been appointed and will take up their post In September 21J24. Some churches continue to ffnd it difficult to meet their finanoal commibnents. Following a review of the circuit assessments, the Circult Meeting in March 2024 agreed to maintain the assessments for the coming 2024125 year. The Circuit provided voluntary support and leadership for the local churthes in the forrn of Local Preachers and Clr¢ult Steward5. There are also many other office h￿derS who support the thurthes ¥￿th help and athce on property. finance, worshlp and work with young people. Our churches have supported various local and worlwide tharitable causes. and several churches have bulldings which are used by their l¢xal communities. The tircuit tontinues to entourage varied work aeross the tircutt, supporting a part-time Famlly Worker at Droitwich and a part-time Pastoral Worker li Mafvern. The Circuit has ssjpported numerous Warm Space initiatives at Circuit churche5. The church at 8roadway closed in lune 2023 and has since been s91d, Income and expenditure tsends Circuit Income mainly adses from the assessrnent pald by each of the fircukt th.urches. 5tlpend expenditure Increased in line wlth the levels approved by Methodist Con'.erence. Due to the compiexSties of staffing invofvlng ord31ned ministers Sn Dur Circuit over the past two years. which has been impacted by various fonns of absence. the Orcuit is seeknn8 to offset sorne ol the costs incurred vla the Methodist Connexion. Lay 5alarie5 have also been intre35ed in line with the higher level of stipends. The Clrcuivs ¢ontribution to the INstriet and Connemlon a8aln amounted to 16% of expendlture116% in 20221231, ol which a slgnificant part ￿ used to fund the work of the wider MerhOd￿t thurch. Fund balances As at 31 Au8USt 2024 the net cuT￿nt assets of the (Srajitwere £878,395, providin8 o¥er one yearf5 cover for circult expenditure. Plans for 2024ft5 A new Superintendent minister, Rev Elizabeth Harris, has been ststioned to the fjfcuit and w¥ll begin work in September 2024. The Grcuit looks forw?rd to welcoming her. Two of the Circuit presbyiers, Rev Katherine Pickering & Rev Nigel Coke-woods, will sit down Iretirel in August 2025. The Circuit has entered the stationing Pro￿5$ and is seèking one full time and one part- tlme prèsbyterfor these roles, starting September 2025. Desplte the Staffing issues and other challewes, Circuit life contiwtue5, and plans for Outreach and Mission are being revlslted and developed. The ar¢uit Is continuing to develop mi5sional stratregie5 to support the work of the Circuit and churche5 in posltive ways, as we enable and support the on8oing good work of our conger8ations and communities South Worcestershlre Methodist C1￿UltI05I1sI Trustee's Annual Report on Flnance and GovernaA Page 2 Basis of preparation and le8al framework Thè Charit¢s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared In accordance with the Charitie5 Act 2011 and the Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 as applicable lo the Firbancial Reporting Standard IFRSI 102. Full Name of CharSty'. South Worcestershire Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number.. 1164581 Date of Registration: 26 November 2015 Main communication address- The Qrojtt Office, Amphlett House. 114 Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR9 8AW The members of the South wOr￿stershIre Methodist Circuit meeting are the Chartty Trustees, membership comprlslng of circuit offlce holders, mlnlsters and representatives appointed by the local churches. Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report. Clr¢ult Mlnlsters and Officers Active Circult Ministers Deacon Corlnne Brown Rev NiRel Coke-woods Rev Elizabeth Harris lioined SeDt 20241 Rev Same McBratnev (left AuRust 20241 Rev Gary mo￿er Ileft AuRust 20241 Rev Katherine Plckedn Clrcuit Lt7yworkers Miss Anne Rlch Mrs Sarah lessop Circultstewards Mrs Hèather Lewis Mr David Mather Mr5 christlne Parker Mrs MarRaret Saunders Mrs Sheila Weary Admlnistrator Ms Vanessa Heam Treasurer Mr Tirn Hlggin50n Independent Exominer James Crus8 FC4 ACCA- JW Hinks LLP, 19 Highfield Rod, Edgbaston, Blrmingham, B15 3BH 8ankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church- 9 Bonhill Street, London. EC2A 4PE CAF Bank Ltd- Z5 Kin85 Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mallln& Kent, ME19 4JQ Investment 8onkers The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes - Central BuikJin85, Oldham Street, Manchester, Ml UQ South Worcestershire Methodlrt Clrcult {051161 Page 3 Aims and organisation The charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Worcester, Evesham, Malvern and Droitwlch for the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist Churth are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Unlon, the advancement of,. al The Christian faith in accordance wrth the dortrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church,. bl Any charltable purpose for the time being of any Connexional. District, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Meihodlst Church. cl Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or Inst￿￿tIon sub51diary or ancillary to The Methodist Church,. dl Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. Including, but not exclusivety: The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to rnembers of the church and non members alike. The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. The re50urcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick ènd bereaved. Taking religious assemblies in local schools. Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. Provision of chaplaincy seNices to the local university and other institutK)ns. Public Benefit We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Strnrture, Governance and Management The governing document for the circuit IS the Deed of Union119321 and Methodist chU￿h Act119761. Detailed governance arrangements are outlined wtlhin the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference ICPDI. Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team, along with the Local Preachers meeting, the Circuit Finance and Property Committies and the Circuit Meeting. Trustee Tralnlng A range of guidance is produced by Methodlst Connexion to support the effettive running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet'The Role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church, is given to all new Circuit rneeting members as induction to their role as trustees. Related Partles The Circuit is part of the Birmingham Distritt and is accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Circuit- St. Andrews Worcester, Droitwich, Bromyard Road, Ombersley Road, Lansdowne Crescent, Somers Park Avenue, Upper Welland and Evesham. Risk Management There Is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and EKpenditure is being monitored in total and Is compared regularfy with the approved annual budget to detect trends as part of the risk management proces5 to avoid unforeseen ca115 on feserves. South Worcestershlre Methodlst Circuit105116} Page 4 Safeguarding Everyperson hos o volue ond di9nity which comes dirertlyfrom the tret7tion of mole andfemole in God's own image and likeness. Christians see this potential asfulfilledby God's re-creotion of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value t711 people t75 beoring the image of God Jnd therefore toprotert themfrom harm. Methodist Connexlonal practice outlines commrtment to the followin8 principle5.- * The care and nurture of, and respertful pastoral ministry with, all childreni young peopFe and adults. * The safegaurding and protection of all children, young people and adu￿$ when they are vulnerable. * The establishing of safe, carlng communitle5 which provide a lowng environment where there 15 informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. We will carefulty selert and train all thosewith any responsibillty Within the Church, in Ilne with Safer Recrultment prlntiples, includlng the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barrinE schemes. * We will resporsd without delay to every complaint made whKh suggests that an adul¢ child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigatK)n. * We wlll seek to work wlth anyone who has suffered abuse, developing wfch them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. We will seek to challenge any abuse of power. especialty by anyone in a position of trust. We will seek to offer pastoral care and SLlPPQrt, including superyision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child young person or vulnerable adult. In all these principles we will follow kgislation, euidano and recognised good practice. The South Worcestershire Circuit commit5 itself to ensuring the impkmentation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy,. government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The South Worcestershire fjrcuit 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 responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. ReseNes Poli The Reserves Policy for the Circuit 15 to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 4 months, average expenditure. This should be sufficent to meet any unforeseen iteffl of rnajor expenditure on man5e5 and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches. Restricted reseryes - the amount shown in the 2023124 accounts of £56,926 is restricted to the expenditure relating to an Evesham lay worker. During the year no lay worker was empSoyed at Evesharn so the balance ha5 accumulated with interest. th Worcestershlre Methodlst ClrthlE1051161 Page 5 ststement of FinanrialActi¥ltles ISOFAI forth¢y¢•rehded 31 Awst 20Z4 are￿1 Deslfjnatod Restrftted Fur Fuhds rotals this year 2024 Tota15 tast vear 2023 lo the Tru51 Income Donatlons and leg4cles Assessments on churthes 400 1,968 300,CQ9 298.365 298,365 From Monetary Investments From Investment propertles Rent Incorne Capltal reteipts Grants received 429.438 429,438 171,888 Investments 7.121 20.351 13.125 1833 23,079 20,351 771.633 13,215 25,344 512,424 Othe¥ Total Income 442ts63 833 Expenthture on: Ministerlal stlpends, NIC & penslon Layworker saliries, NIC & p￿￿on Olstrlct Assessment Methodist Church Fund Clrcuit Events Telephone, travel & adminlstration Manse Insurance, council tax & water Malntenance tnaTrse property Expenditure on other clrcult propertv Oepreciatlon Ourtreach and rn45sb Other Expendlture Grants and don4llons Olstrlct Advance Fund levy Total expendlture li li 177,967 29.n7 177.967 29.737 56,988 180,730 27,fJ)6 53,376 12 11.154 19.366 17.263 5,291 IL.154 19,366 17,263 5,291 6,505 12,976 6,727 6.818 9A72 4,214 707 9,472 4,895 707 116,Z291 IL,1611 1,730 L,575 14 9.442 9,442 391.159 io.u3 Z80,653 Net Income beforeinvestmin¢ s•ns/l1055•51 Net Gain51lL¢ssesl on propety dlsposals Net Gain5llL055esl on property revaluatlon Net GalnsllL0$5esl on Monetary Investrner Net IneomlA811ouiidnil before transfers Tran5fer5 betV4een fvnds ftecla5sifi¢ation of funds- sale pr¢xeed5 Reclassifi¢ati¢rt ol funds- k)an repald Net mov•rn•nt in fwds 15,9121 4x410 2,833 9,JS1 ZJi,771 16 17 15,9221 43 833 429,351 Z31,711 23 24 24 15,9121 431440 833 429,351 231,771 Total funds brou8hi forward Prlor year adlu5trneTrt funds c￿led Forward 2.068.219 239.840 54.093 2,362,152 2,130,381 2S 4W97 6712K* 54926 2.791,S03 1362,IS2 South Wor(e5tershlre M*hodt5t a￿Ul1{a$/I6> B•lanteSl*t as at 31 Au8USt Z024 Pa6e 6 a￿urt Modd Fund Restrirted fvnds Total5 this ve•1 2024 Tgtals l•sl 2029 funds lunds Unrestrxted N¢xes TaTrI￿le Flxed Assets Land & Bulldlngs Equipmenr Investment propertle5 Investfflents 16 1,913,000 1,913,n5hip betwe￿ th& part d8sLYPtlon of the tran￿¢t￿n$-. the amounts involved., . any olh8r al8m8nts of tha trartsaclons necessarylor an urwjer5tar￿1r￿ ol he aGcounls'. - the amoL'nls due to or Yrom reLqted ￿rtfe$ at the bala1￿ 51wl dale and provi51on$ for doubtTrJl debts due from su¢h part*s at that date, amounts K4rftt8n off In the period In re5pea of debts due lo or from r8lat*d partie Name of related partv Relatlonship I￿)￿froM Paywts to Loansfr¢)m Loans to Amounts reuited wrty rdateil party rdated party ￿llIed owed bylto In theyear In theyear In iheyear In the year related party atyearend This Circuit Methodist Churchès Blrmingham District of the Methodist Churth Methodist Church- South Warwickshire Circuit Methodist Connexlonal Grants Team Total 298,365 56,988 150.415 298.365 56,988 150,415 Last Circuit Methodist Churches Birrningham District of the Mèthodlst Church Methodlst Propefty Fund Methodist Conntxional Grants Team Total 53.376 300,009 53,376 Note.. The circuit churches do collect money for Methodist related projects, which is ￿cOrded and sent direct to the Methodist Fund by the circuit-appointed Fund Treasurer5. No dowments nor rnoney are seen by the Circuit rreasurer and such finance is not included in these clreuit accounts. A separate report 15 155ued each year by theconnexional Team. Page 15 South Worcestershlre Methodlst Clr¢ult1051161 arcult DECLARATIONS Presentation to the Circuit Meetlng for approval. I confimi that the A¢￿￿nts have been presented to the Circuit MeetirvJ c and were approved. Signature ofthe Chair of Ihe msèlng 25 March 2025 Namé ofthè Ch8lr ol the meeting Dale Rev Elizabeth Harris 25 March 2025 Page16 South WorcestershSre Methodtsl Clrcult (051161 Independent FJamlnerf5 RÈport to the Trustees of South Worcestershlre Methodlst CFrcuit This Report Is on the fjrcuit Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Respectlve responslb511tles of Trustéès and Examir The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accoullts. The Trustees (onslder that an audit is not requlred for ihi5 year under Section 144 of the Charitles Att 2011 Ithe Charilies Artl and that an indèpendent examlnatlon is needed. It is the Independent Examiner'5 responslbillty to.. follow the procedures laid down In the general Diiections given by the Charity Commission under Section 1451Sllbl of the Charities act,. and state whether particular matters have come to thelr attentS0n. Basis of Independent Examinerfs Report My examlnation was carried out irt a¢cordan¢e with the general Directions given by the Charity CommissloD. An examlnatlon Include5 a review of the accounting ￿OrdS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those recofds. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanatitsns from you as Trustees concernlng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that Wguld be requlred in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whethei the account5 present a "true and fair vipw" and the report is limited to those matters set out In the staternent below. Independent Emamlnerfs Statement In connettion wlth my examination. no matter has come to my attention-. lil which give5 Tne reèsonable cause to believe that in artry material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting ￿ordS In accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act. to prepare accounts whlch accord with the accountbng rewrd5 and comply with the accountlnB requirements of the charltles Act. have not been met,. or 121 to whlch, In mv ODinion, atteniion should be drawn in Ofder to enable a prooer understandlnR of the account5 to be reathed. I have not abtalned Independent verification of all investrnefits with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purpose51"TMCP l or held in other Trusts, 8ank balances and Funds at the Central FInan￿ Board of the Methodist Church I'CFB'I, which are individually in excess of £10.0￿ Iten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Name James Cruse FCA. ACCA Signature Jo Relevant professional qualifltatlon or bodv ICAEW & ACCA Address clo JW Hinks LLP. 19 Highfield Road. Edgbaston. 8irmin8ham, 815 38H Date 06 May 2025 South Worcestershire Methodist Circuit- list of Trnstees Appendix A Thos0 serving all of 2023124 and up to present day Nam8 Appointed Name App)inled Rev E Harris (Superl 0110912024 D Mather 1810912024 S Hicks 2610612024 S Nevitt 2610612024 S Weary 2610612024 Deacon D Prilchard 1310312024 H Lews 0610612023 Rev P Salter 0610612023 J P Gogarty 07103J2023 Rev H A V Lewls 0710312023 A O Martin 0710312023 R H Barley 01111J2022 Deacon C Brovm 0110912022 Rev S D T Froggatt 0110912022 P C H3wkeswotxI 0110912022 A Thomas 0110912022 C Proctor 0810312022 M Saunders 1410912021 A V Mcwhlrter 0910312021 K A Evans 2310212021 G Drain 1311012020 S Drain 1311012020 A C Capel 1710912019 D Capel 1710912019 J W De Torre 1710912019 P Gwilliam 1710912019 Rev D A Haslam 1710912019 C G Holligs 17J0912019 R Ingles 1710912019 RAKane 1710912019 P Lanéer 1710912019 E A YellarKI 1710912019 C Merrlman 0110912020 VDay 2610212019 Rev K J Pickering 0110912018 J P Curtis 191￿12018 S A Walkins 2210312018 R8v N J Coke-woods 0110912017 A Phillips 0710912018 H V Ashford 1510912015 J B Edwards 1510912015 Rev M Austin 0110912015 Rev D M Cooksey 0110912015 Gccox C J Davis MDLDavis Rev P M GrimM)crfJ T D Hlyjnson H M LAwrance D A La￿an( R Lewin-Jon8s T Libby Deacon A B MaTtin J R Merriman C J Parker AVR N J Stephens P R Wethwall 0110912015 0110912015 0110912015 011091201 S 0110912015 0110912015 0110912015 0110912015 0110912015 0110912015 011091201 S 0110912015 011091201 S 0110912015 011091201 S