AGM 2021
It would be interesting to see how 2020/2021 are remembered by historians, but living through it, it has been marred by change. Although some change can be healthy, the enforced lockdowns and anxiety generated by the pandemic have had huge consequences for organisations like ours. Within the Methodist Circuit, a number of churches have chosen to cease to worship, and several more are under threat due to already low attendance.
At Trinity, we have tried to do what we can when we can. We have spent a huge amount of time and effort developing the on-line worship which is available through Trinity’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel. We have tried to develop a range of people taking part as well as a “virtual” singing group who have added so much to worship – and were able to be used while we could meet but not sing.
Although on-line groups and prayer meetings have continued through Zoom with our partners in the Staffordshire Moorlands Circuit, there has not been a huge take-up of these from among Trinity’s members and friends. There continues to be uncertainty about people meeting in these forums.
When we have been allowed to meet, we have tried to open for worship. We have incorporated many measures to try to keep people safe. Following the easing of restrictions in July, we have started singing again and have been able to share bread and wine together. We have maintained some distancing and continue to encourage mask-wearing. We are still in a “waiting” phase to see what our new normal will be.
Although still not back to pre-pandemic confidence, we have shared a harvest lunch together, and started holding our “business” meetings face to face.
Where we are now has not been an easy road – there have been huge differences of opinion over many issues including the restrictions and the use of our building by another congregation. It maybe that these differences a symptomatic of the continued uncertainty we live with – some people have seen friends and family succumb to COVID-19 – which reminds us all that the future is still uncertain. Infection rates in the Staffordshire Moorlands have been quite high for many weeks – higher than the national average, and there is still uncertainty about how secure our immediate future is going to be.
Despite the situation we find ourselves living with, the members and friends of Trinity continue to be supportive and generous – we have maintained income and also the support we provide to different charities – including denominational charities, world development charities and more local asylum seekers’ charity. What has not changed is the compassion of our members and friends.
We continue to distribute weekly communications and worship material to help those from Trinity and the Circuit to engage with their faith. We have recently returned to hosting coffee mornings and our cinema club.
Looking forward, we will put our attention to building up our community and seeking out opportunities to share the love of God; we were quite overwhelmed by the response from our town to a collection for food for Asylum Seekers in Stoke-on-Trent, and we anticipate more opportunities to work with asylum seekers. There continues to be a generosity toward the Food Bank in Leek which sees an increase in its usage over the last 12 months.
As we go forward, we will be seeing a lot of changes. People who have held particular offices within the church are relinquishing their posts – our church could not have functioned so well without them. We thank Steve (Treasurer) and Jean who assisted him, Jean (Gift Aid), John (Church Secretary), Judy (Pastoral Secretary) and the Elders who have served their time. We are grateful for all they have brought to the life of the church, but also look forward to the opportunities different people will bring to these roles.
We will also see a change in our administrator as Carol will retire in December – she really has done far more than we could ever have expected and wish her a long and happy retirement.
Despite these changes, we can affirm the faith that God has not finished with us yet; just as the challenges of the last 20 months could not have been anticipated, we do not yet know what the future will bring. We believe that God will be with us in that future.
Richard Pope
Annual report from the elders to the AGM of Trinity Church, Leek for year December 2020 to November 2021
For the last three years the pandemic has seriously affected the life of our church and community. Much has changed and when I consider the huge range of activities prior to covid 19 one must feel much sadness for our diminished circumstances, for those who have suffered and for those who may never return to our fellowship. Yet there is hope. I attended the West Midlands Synod and realised that compared to many churches we were doing all we could to share worship in so many ways with all our people and beyond. For that we must thank Richard, Julie and Eleanor our Ministers and the elders and leaders from across the Circuit.
Over the last year we have as Elders met eight times almost entirely on zoom. Sadly, the Church Meeting which is the decision- making body of the church has only met twice. This is because many of our people are unable to use virtual means of communication and so rely on meeting face to face. For most of the year this has not been a safe practice.
There has been much debate throughout the year about how and when we might re-open after various lockdowns. Half of the elders were usually open to allow worship and activities to return for those who wanted them. Understandably others were more cautious, concerned for the safety and well -being of the congregation. On 13[th] December we did reopen and sang carols at St Edwards Middle School outside on the 20[th] . Christmas Day again saw us open for worship. Throughout the year a booking system was employed to track who attended with an agreed number of attendees who were socially distanced from each other.
What has given us the confidence to return to church earlier than some is the work of the Covid group. This group, chaired ably by Maureen, has met regularly over the year to guide our thinking, evaluate risk and suggest what is safely possible. The elders have acted as venue managers who had to consider the local infection rates, the vulnerability of the congregation alongside how effective they believed risk mitigations were. Its fair to say that the fifty or so attending morning worship are about half of the congregation who attended prior to covid.
But this is not reflected in our pre-recorded You Tube Circuit services where anything up to two hundred joins in regularly every Sunday. This will continue to be a permanent feature of our church life such is its attraction. Each week eight singers record their own voice to create a mini choir to support worship. I record our thanks both to Joan and Phil. for their leadership in ensuring music is part of our worship. Many from across the Circuit are included in worship, not just our ministers. The editing and recording of on-line services are time consuming for our minister Richard, so we are grateful to him. We have also met on zoom on a Sunday evening throughout the year and there has been a bible study fellowship on- line on a Tuesday for those from across the Circuit. One positive feature of the year has been the enhanced co-operation and engagement with the Circuit for which we are grateful. We thank Jean and Steve for organising and distributing DVD’s and CDs of our morning worship to those who are housebound. A written reflection continued to be written by
Richard in the weekly newsletter until the end of June which was also much appreciated by those unable to get to church or who couldn’t access the online services.
We welcomed the visit of the lay URC Moderator Peter Pay in early March and he preached at a joint Circuit Service on You Tube. After a break from face- to- face worship we returned on Good Friday, and we have maintained meeting in person every Sunday since then. Colin organised a beautiful daffodil floral display outside church on Derby Street to herald Easter Day.
Much time has been spent by Elders this year considering the request of the Gathering to use our premises. Their leaders met with our Church Meeting last November to consider their idea is to plant a new church in Leek and to grow new leaders along the way. Trinity has been open and welcoming to their desire to use our premises for if they can reach people who we have not been successful in reaching then why not help them? But governance issues with the Methodist District and Circuit caused some at Trinity to doubt the wisdom of working with them. We had hoped for a proper agreement with the Gathering which could have been a partnership. Fortunately, a compromise has been reached with the Gathering and we now have a letting arrangement in place. They use Trinity Church and foyer for their time together on a Sunday afternoon when we don’t use our premises. All this was considered and agreed by the Church Meeting in September and the letting has been going well since early October.
The elders enjoyed an away day together in early September when we considered two issues. Firstly, how do we return and maintain our fellowship post covid and secondly how do we re-engage with the community of which we are a part? The challenge was to think about new missional activities with fresh thinking as well as considering whether past activities are still possible and appropriate. The ideas from this away day were then shared with the Church Meeting in early September. I am very pleased to say that thanks to Liz and Chris Wednesday Coffee has re-started for two hours and thanks to Christine our film club is up and running again. The Church meeting has agreed to cease evening services except for special occasions and for those times when we worship with St. Edwards.
In September Barbara Easton the Vice-President of the Methodist Conference came to preach. Over eighty came to hear this excellent preacher and educationalist. As we slowly relaxed rules to accommodate more in church and at funerals, we held our harvest festival and climate change service. Our name will be added to the churches’ National petition which will go to Glasgow. My car has never been so full when along with Oenone’s car we took all the generous harvest gifts given to Asha.
And then the inspirational Rev. Dr John Bell came all the way from Glasgow in October both to lead worship and enthuse us all on the Saturday afternoon with his ideas on the use of the imagination and sharing with us some of his beautiful songs and words.
Richard moved to a new more modern manse in June, and we hope he and his family will be happy in their new home. The first call of a Minister is to maintain weekly worship and this Richard has accomplished faithfully each week. His use of modern technology to support worship is second to none. We are sad that the church administrator Carol has handed in
her notice from Christmas for not only is she a most competent organiser she has more than filled this role by the support and love she has shown to so many. I want to thank Jean and Steve too for so much whether it’s sorting a new ventilation system in the lower hall which means activities there are safe or helping me with minutes or organising with our insurers to re-coup loss of income. The elders have worked hard this year to keep our ship afloat and I must thank them, operating on zoom has not been easy. To those who are standing down thank you. You will be missed! Thank you to those willing to take up the vacant positions to ensure the life of Trinity goes on and it will!
John Fisher
Trinity Church Secretary
Fo
A united Trinity Church, congregation (Methodist United Reformed) of The Methodist Russell Street,
Church Leek, Staffs.,
and ST13 5JF The United Reformed Church Telephone: 01538 398483 Email: trinitychurchleek@uwclub.net Registered Charity Number: 1171597
Trinity Church, (Methodist United Reformed) Russell Street, Leek, Staffs., ST13 5JF
Trinity Church, Leek Accounts for the year September 1[st] 2020 to August 31[st] 2021
Pages 1-7
Trinity Church Leek: Receipts and Payments Accounts - Year Ending August 31st 2021
| 2019-20 | RECEIPTS 2020-21 Collections,S/O etc A01,2,3 £59,844.99 Tax reclaimed A04 £12,704.84 Job Retention Scheme<HMRC A05 £3,498.53 SpecialAppeals F01-15 £4,146.70 Subtotal £80,195.06 Insurance Settlement A19 £15,500.00 Circuit Refund ref URC rebate £2,147.50 HMCourts Repay £115.00 £17,762.50 Subtotal Coffee Mornings B02 £0.00 Meals (net) C05/6 £0.00 Lettings B01 £97.50 Subtotal £97.50 Films A11 £0.00 Donations(Funerals) A12 £477.95 Funerals/Weddings net fees/Tax A13/17 £1,175.00 Sundries, craft,B'fast Club A15,16,C11 £289.00 Brunswick Trust Closure C11 £0.00 Marmalade A14 £50.00 RSC (services) B10 £690.72 RSC (Rent) B09 £5,000.00 Traidcraft net C03/4 £0.00 Bookstall net C01/2 £9.07 Adult Outreach M13 £0.00 Subtotal £7,691.74 SUBTOTALS £105,746.80 Funds reported separately 2019-20 p2 Fund t/A18, t/S03 taxes-funerals/staff £572.42 Fund b b/B04 Benevolent interest £32.66 Fund y M05,M07,M09 Youth work £0.00 SubTotal £605.08 Legacy A08 £2,100.00 TFR from Cap Reserve for organ £0.00 TFR from TMCP (Ventilation) £5,000.00 TFR from CFB for Canopy X0 £16,187.18 SUBTOTAL £23,287.18 £23,287.18 TuesdayFellowship closure £0.00 Total Income for Year £129,639.06 Balance b/f from prev yr (general a/c) £13,219.33 £13,219.33 Balance b/f from fund t(Tax) £20.74 Balance b/f from fund b (Benevolent £1,014.37 Balance b/f from fund y (Youth) £1,457.81 £2,492.92 |
RECEIPTS 2020-21 Collections,S/O etc A01,2,3 £59,844.99 Tax reclaimed A04 £12,704.84 Job Retention Scheme<HMRC A05 £3,498.53 SpecialAppeals F01-15 £4,146.70 Subtotal £80,195.06 Insurance Settlement A19 £15,500.00 Circuit Refund ref URC rebate £2,147.50 HMCourts Repay £115.00 £17,762.50 Subtotal Coffee Mornings B02 £0.00 Meals (net) C05/6 £0.00 Lettings B01 £97.50 Subtotal £97.50 Films A11 £0.00 Donations(Funerals) A12 £477.95 Funerals/Weddings net fees/Tax A13/17 £1,175.00 Sundries, craft,B'fast Club A15,16,C11 £289.00 Brunswick Trust Closure C11 £0.00 Marmalade A14 £50.00 RSC (services) B10 £690.72 RSC (Rent) B09 £5,000.00 Traidcraft net C03/4 £0.00 Bookstall net C01/2 £9.07 Adult Outreach M13 £0.00 Subtotal £7,691.74 SUBTOTALS £105,746.80 Funds reported separately 2019-20 p2 Fund t/A18, t/S03 taxes-funerals/staff £572.42 Fund b b/B04 Benevolent interest £32.66 Fund y M05,M07,M09 Youth work £0.00 SubTotal £605.08 Legacy A08 £2,100.00 TFR from Cap Reserve for organ £0.00 TFR from TMCP (Ventilation) £5,000.00 TFR from CFB for Canopy X0 £16,187.18 SUBTOTAL £23,287.18 £23,287.18 TuesdayFellowship closure £0.00 Total Income for Year £129,639.06 Balance b/f from prev yr (general a/c) £13,219.33 £13,219.33 Balance b/f from fund t(Tax) £20.74 Balance b/f from fund b (Benevolent £1,014.37 Balance b/f from fund y (Youth) £1,457.81 £2,492.92 |
RECEIPTS 2020-21 Collections,S/O etc A01,2,3 £59,844.99 Tax reclaimed A04 £12,704.84 Job Retention Scheme<HMRC A05 £3,498.53 SpecialAppeals F01-15 £4,146.70 Subtotal £80,195.06 Insurance Settlement A19 £15,500.00 Circuit Refund ref URC rebate £2,147.50 HMCourts Repay £115.00 £17,762.50 Subtotal Coffee Mornings B02 £0.00 Meals (net) C05/6 £0.00 Lettings B01 £97.50 Subtotal £97.50 Films A11 £0.00 Donations(Funerals) A12 £477.95 Funerals/Weddings net fees/Tax A13/17 £1,175.00 Sundries, craft,B'fast Club A15,16,C11 £289.00 Brunswick Trust Closure C11 £0.00 Marmalade A14 £50.00 RSC (services) B10 £690.72 RSC (Rent) B09 £5,000.00 Traidcraft net C03/4 £0.00 Bookstall net C01/2 £9.07 Adult Outreach M13 £0.00 Subtotal £7,691.74 SUBTOTALS £105,746.80 Funds reported separately 2019-20 p2 Fund t/A18, t/S03 taxes-funerals/staff £572.42 Fund b b/B04 Benevolent interest £32.66 Fund y M05,M07,M09 Youth work £0.00 SubTotal £605.08 Legacy A08 £2,100.00 TFR from Cap Reserve for organ £0.00 TFR from TMCP (Ventilation) £5,000.00 TFR from CFB for Canopy X0 £16,187.18 SUBTOTAL £23,287.18 £23,287.18 TuesdayFellowship closure £0.00 Total Income for Year £129,639.06 Balance b/f from prev yr (general a/c) £13,219.33 £13,219.33 Balance b/f from fund t(Tax) £20.74 Balance b/f from fund b (Benevolent £1,014.37 Balance b/f from fund y (Youth) £1,457.81 £2,492.92 |
2019-2020 | PAYMENTS 2020-21 |
PAYMENTS 2020-21 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £56,672.62 £12,204.35 £1,344.00 |
Collections,S/O etc A01,2,3 £59,844.99 Tax reclaimed A04 £12,704.84 Job Retention Scheme<HMRC A05 £3,498.53 SpecialAppeals F01-15 £4,146.70 Subtotal Insurance Settlement A19 £15,500.00 Circuit Refund ref URC rebate £2,147.50 HMCourts Repay £115.00 Subtotal Coffee Mornings B02 £0.00 Meals (net) C05/6 £0.00 Lettings B01 £97.50 Subtotal Films A11 £0.00 Donations(Funerals) A12 £477.95 Funerals/Weddings net fees/Tax A13/17 £1,175.00 Sundries, craft,B'fast Club A15,16,C11 £289.00 Brunswick Trust Closure C11 £0.00 Marmalade A14 £50.00 RSC (services) B10 £690.72 RSC (Rent) B09 £5,000.00 Traidcraft net C03/4 £0.00 Bookstall net C01/2 £9.07 Adult Outreach M13 £0.00 Subtotal SUBTOTALS Funds reported separately 2019-20 p2 Fund t/A18, t/S03 taxes-funerals/staff £572.42 Fund b b/B04 Benevolent interest £32.66 Fund y M05,M07,M09 Youth work £0.00 SubTotal Legacy A08 £2,100.00 TFR from Cap Reserve for organ £0.00 TFR from TMCP (Ventilation) £5,000.00 TFR from CFB for Canopy X0 £16,187.18 SUBTOTAL £23,287.18 TuesdayFellowship closure £0.00 Total Income for Year Balance b/f from prev yr (general a/c) £13,219.33 Balance b/f from fund t(Tax) £20.74 Balance b/f from fund b (Benevolent £1,014.37 Balance b/f from fund y (Youth) £1,457.81 |
£80,195.06 £17,762.50 £97.50 £7,691.74 £105,746.80 £605.08 £23,287.18 £129,639.06 £13,219.33 £2,492.92 |
£55,000.00 £124.91 £821.85 £0.00 £55,946.76 £5,500.00 £9,421.83 £258.61 £15,180.44 £4,664.74 £6,237.80 £648.00 £232.50 £11,783.04 £14,705.06 £14,705.06 £6,019.32 £494.35 £477.54 £4,497.44 £636.98 £12,125.63 £261.24 £1,834.79 £2,096.03 £837.34 £417.03 £229.00 £175.00 £754.44 £103.04 £2,515.85 £445.98 £114,798.79 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 £13,219.33 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 |
Assessments(Tfr to CFB) x0 £55,000.00 Sunday Club M04 £0.00 Ministry under COVID T09 £1,204.17 Minister's Pastoral Support Fee M12 £115.00 Subtotal Donations from Church FundsD01-5,7 £6,000.00 Special Appeals G01-15 £4,171.70 Donations Equiv to Gift Aid Due D08 £514.30 Subtotal Repairs/Renewals R01,2 £3,567.75 Major Work(HS,roof,fire,lift) R03 £20,328.98 Organ tuning R04 £410.00 Cleaning+Sanitary Provision T04,T05 £666.05 Subtotal Wages: Staff&Cover&Tax)S01-7 £14,088.86 Subtotal Gas/Elec U01/2 £3,398.96 Water rate (2nd 19/20 bill paid 20/21 £1,241.25 Telephone B/B U04 £539.31 Insurance( inc copier ins) U05 £4,660.00 Licences(inc Radio & Stteaming 20/21) £773.25 Subtotal Office ExpensesT01 £120.48 Paper,Printing,Copier Lease T02,6,7 £1,735.72 Subtotal Sundries T03 £658.31 Worship materials inc AAW M02,3,10 £254.96 Spark (net) P01,2 £0.00 CTLD M11 £0.00 Tea,Coffee, Cups for Trinity C07 £277.83 Flower fund net C09/10 £49.37 Subtotal Tues Fellowship Closure £0.00 Total payments in year Fund t (Tax, Pension, Nat Ins) t/TAX £555.91 Fund b (b/B05) Benevolent £125.00 Fund y (M05, Youth Outreach) £34.20 C/F from n (General £22,477.06 C/F from t (Tax) £37.25 C/F from b (Benevolent) £922.03 C/F from y (Youth) £1,423.61 Total C/F in NatWest a/c (n,b,t,y) = |
£56,319.17 £10,686.00 £24,972.78 £14,088.86 £10,612.77 £1,856.20 £1,240.47 £119,776.25 £715.11 £24,859.95 |
||
| £9,446.83 | |||||||
| £79,667.80 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £4,086.61 £209.98 £6,323.20 £10,619.79 £1,122.55 £713.44 £975.00 £210.00 £428.25 £100.00 £1,506.76 £5,000.00 £0.00 £24.02 £86.52 £10,166.54 £100,454.13 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 £1,365.50 £10,000.00 £11,365.50 £445.98 £112,265.61 £15,752.51 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 p2 report 19-20 |
|||||||
| **£128,018.12 ** | GRAND TOTAL of INCOME | £145,351.31 | **£128,018.12 ** | Grand Total of Payments | £145,351.31 | ||
| Page 1 |
TRINITY CHURCH, LEEK : YEAR ENDING 31ST AUGUST 2021 Other Accounts and Funds
Account c: CONTINGENCY FUND (Central Finance Board, CFB) (*)
| Balance brought forward Sept 1st2020 | £67,560.23 | Assessment > Circuit(D/D)Code(N02) | £55,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest CFB(A06) | £91.16 | TFR to NatWest for CANOPY REPAIRS | £16,187.18 |
| TFR for Assessments(x0) | £55,000.00 | ||
| Balance c/f 31/08/2021 | £51,464.21 | ||
| £122,651.39 | £122,651.39 |
Account l: CAPITAL RESERVE FUND (Leek United Building Society)
| Balance brought forward | £28,419.86 | £28,419.86 | No TFRs to NATWEST 2020-2021 | No TFRs to NATWEST 2020-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Added(A07) | £46.37 | ||||
| Balance c/f at 31/08/2021 | £28,466.23 | ||||
| £28,466.23 | £28,466.23 | ||||
| Account m: CHURCHES MUTUAL CREDIT UNIO | N(CMCU) | ||||
| Balance Brought Forward | £5,024.25 | No withdrawals 2020-2021 | £0.00 | ||
| Dividend Credited(None in 2021) | £0.00 | ||||
| Balance c/f at 31/08/2021 | £5024.25 | ||||
| £5,024.25 | £5,024.25 |
Funds within NatWest bank account = n (general), t (tax), b (benevolent) y (youth)
Fund t TAX TO HMRC (Designated)
| Fund t TAX TO HMRC(Designated) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Start balance 1/9/2020 | £20.74 | ||
| Tax on Funeral Fees(t/A18) | £228.80 | Payments to HMRC(TAX)+ NEST from t/TAX | £555.91 |
| Tax + NESTpension+NI(Staff Wages) (t/S03) | £343.62 | Balance c/f at 31/8/2021 | £37.25 |
| £593.16 | £593.16 | ||
| Fund b BENEVOLENT FUND(Restricted) | |||
| Start balance 1/9/2020 | £1,014.37 | Withdrawals 2020-2021 b/B05 | £125.00 |
| Interest from TMCP(b/B04) | £32.66 | Balance c/f at 31/08/2021 | £922.03 |
| Total | £1,047.03 | £1,047.03 | |
| Fundy YOUTH EVENTS FUND(Designated) | |||
| Start balance 1/9/2020 | £1,457.81 | Sunday group+ Easter M05 | £34.20 |
| Balance c/f at 31/08/2021 | £1,423.61 | ||
| £1,457.81 | £1,457.81 |
( )* Our assessment to the Methodist Circuit and URC Synod is transferred from our general account (a/c n) to the Methodist Central Finance Board (CFB) (a/c) during the course of the year, from where it is debited by the Staffordshire Moorlands Circuit (£55,000).
For contingency purposes during 2020-2021 £16,187 18 was transferred from the CFB account (a/c into the NatWest account, (a/c n) This was to pay for emergency repairs to the front canopy of the church building.
In addition, £5,000 was transferred from the TMCP Gladys Harrop Legacy to Trinity to pay for repair to Ventilation in the Lower Hall by agreement from the Church Meeting NOV 2020. Consequently reduction of total value as on TMCP info
Page 2
TMCP Trinity Church Assets: as at 1[st] September 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
(Note: the 2021 values are taken from the TMCP summary sheets, for the year ending 31[st] August 2021)
| Sept 2015 | Sept 2016 | Sept 2017 | Sept 2018 | Sept 2019 | Sept 2020 | Sept 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMCP Trust 22109 (Gladys Harrop ) (cash) |
£40,758.56 | £40,941.03 | £41,107.25 | £41,374.42 | £41,647.63 cash | £36,694.20 | |
| TMCP Trust 6255 (Edward Norman Birch) (cash) |
£55.49 Cash | £55.49 Cash | £55.52 Cash | £55.49 Cash | £55.49 Cash | £55.49 Cash | £55.49 |
| TMCP Trust 725(Emily Morton) Cash:Inv in CFB Mixed Fund: |
£921.03 £582.98 | £921.03 £1,712.35 |
£921.46 £1,840. 10 |
£921.03 £1918.28 |
£921.03 Cash £1942.06 |
£921.03cash £1907.80 invest |
£921.03 cash £2215.69 invest |
| TMCP Trust 725A (George Hammersley) (cash) |
£377.51 Cash | £379.76 Cash | £3,81.45 Cash | £383.02 | £385.50 | £388.04 cash | £388.50 |
| TOTAL Invested | Cash £1,353.49 Invest:£1,582.98 |
Cash £42,114.84 Invest: £ 1,712.35 |
Cash £42,299.46 Invest: £1, 840.10 |
Cash £42,466.79 Invest: £1918.28 |
Cash £42,736.44 Invest: £1942.06 |
Cash £43,012.19 Invest £1,907.80 |
Cash £37,670.72 Invest £2215.69 |
Cash Assets are held in the Trustees Interest Fund. The Emily Morton Investment part is in the CFB Mixed Fund
Insurance Provision from the Insurance Statement on the Renewal document
| Sept 2016 | Sept 2017 | Sept 2018 | Sept 2019 | Sept 2020 | Sept 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Value of buildings | £5,214,628 | £5,527,506 | £5,859,157 | £6,210,706 | £6,583,349 | £6,978,350 |
| Church Contents | £214,025 | £224,726 | £235,963 | £247,761 | £260,150 | £273,158 |
| Organ | £423,909 | £445,104 | £467,360 | £490,728 | £515,265 | £541,029 |
| AV Equipment | £20,681 | £21,715 | £22,801 | £23,941 | £25,139 | £26,396 |
| Employers’ Liability | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 |
| Public Liability | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 |
| Products Liability | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £10,000,000 |
| Trustee’s and Officers indemnity |
£500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 |
| Personal Accident Cover (Ages 5-85) |
£10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 |
There are no outstanding liabilities at the year-end August 31[st] 2021. The reduction in value of the Gladys Harrop bequest was because £5,000 was withdrawn for the Ventilation system in the Lower Hall (agreed by November 2020 Church Meeting).
Page 3
Treasurer’s Report for Trinity Church, Leek (Methodist and United Reformed) to the Charity Commission, Sept 1st 2020 – Aug 31st 2021 (Charity Number: 1171597)
General: This year has been a challenging year with Covid Lockdowns for churches. However, the Offertory has remained remarkably stable through regular standing order payments, but also the dedication of Church Members in ensuring their Offertory envelopes reached Trinity. Bookings of our Lower Hall and Foyer space were cancelled because of the risk of Covid-19 transmission and thus there was no income from this source once the pandemic began. However, energy costs were reduced by a small amount. Our own regular coffee mornings which provide a social environment as well as income, were fully closed, and remain so. Our normal practice of making appeals at Festival times took place at Harvest, Christmas and Easter and many people made donations directly to our supported Charities as well as via Trinity. (See Page 7 for details)
Receipts : Our Offertory was sufficient for Trinity to pay its pledged Assessment to the Methodist Circuit, which, as Trinity is an LEP (Local Ecumenical Partnership), transfers Ministerial costs to the United Reformed Church for our Mission and Ministry. Giving for special appeals throughout the year was paid out directly to the recipient charities. The Gift Aid reclaimed from HMRC was somewhat reduced in terms of the GASDS claim, as some regular donations were made by cheque instead of cash and therefore ineligible. We paid our staff their full wages during lockdown, and were able to claim Job Retention Scheme grants from the government for the partial furlough of one employee.
Unexpectedly our insurance company invited us to make a claim through the Business Interruption Insurance for loss of income and extra expenses incurred due to Covid. An interim payment has been received until a full loss adjustment calculation is made by the assessors.
Payments: Covid-19 completely changed the way in which Trinity operated. We incurred costs for hand sanitisers, masks, gloves, and face shields for Stewards, and attendees at funerals and private prayer. Our Ministry was enhanced by producing materials for on-line worship for which an additional licence fee was required. Each church member was offered e-mail materials and, where that was not an option, printed materials: printings costs, stamps and stationery costs were increased. An audio CD or a video DVD of services was also available for those people with the relevant equipment at home. These are all referenced under the tab ‘Ministry under COVID’. We were able to maintain our assessment to the Methodist Circuit of £55,000.
As part of ensuring our building is as safe as possible a new ventilation system was installed in our church hall with a greatly improved air flow. Unfortunately, we also had a major building expense when the front entrance canopy became unsafe and had to be urgently replaced. Money from our reserves was used to pay for this.
Donations : Planned Tithed giving of £6,000 (10% of direct giving) to pre-agreed charities as well as our Festival giving is summarised on page 7.
Conclusion: Financially and spiritually this has been a difficult year. We have had to draw on our reserve funds to cover some of the expenses incurred but have managed to maintain our Assessment and tithed giving as usual. Regular maintenance of our building continues to be a cost, although reduced compared with the previous year. Increasing demands by Health and Safety requirements for a range of plant and equipment checks continue, and ongoing requirements for Covid-19 security are likely to be an issue into 2022. It is likely that we will have some call on our reserves again, but this depends on how quickly church attendance and wider activities and bookings can resume fully.
We have been very conscious of the needs to protect our congregation and church users within the guidelines, and we are mindful that safety must be a priority over income and socialising needs. Many of our church members and visitors miss the human contact that Trinity provided, but have recognised the need to be patient, while hoping that the Covid-19 crisis will eventually be resolved. We look forward to more extensive activities and greater freedom in the future.
S K Thompson (Church Treasurer). November 10[th] 2021)
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Independent exarninerfs report to the trustees of Trinity Church, Leek I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Trinity Church, Leek, on pages 1-4 for the year ended 31" August 2021. Responsibilities and basis of report. As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with these records. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fair view" which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination,. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin6 of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: ........ Page 5
A united congregation Trinity Church, (Methodist United Reformed) Russell Street, Leek Staffs. ST13 5JF The Methodist Church and The United Reformed Church Telephone: 01538 398483 mail: trinit churchleek uwclub.net Registered Charity: 1171597 Trinity Church Accounts 2020-21 The accounts on Pages I to 4 were presented to, and approved by, the Church Meeting held on LI Signed on behalf of the trustees: Rev Richard Pope (Chairperson) Mr John Fisher (Church Secretary) Date: [(. Lt Page 6
Allocation of central church funds (tithed giving) to charities 2020-2021
| D01 | Methodist Mission in Britain Fund | £600 |
|---|---|---|
| D01 | Methodist Church Fund | £600 |
| D01 | Methodist World Mission Fund | £1,200 |
| D03 | URC Commitment for Life | £1,200 |
| D02 | Leaders of Worshipand Preachers Trust(LWPT) | £200 |
| D02 | MHA | £450 |
| D02 | Action for Children | £500 |
| D07 | A Rocha UK | £550 |
| D07 | ASHA | £700 |
| TOTAL | £6,000 |
Charitable Monies in Transit, 2020-2021 (Money raised for specific appeals)
| Event Income | Credit | Paid Away to:> | Debit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F01 Harvest Gift Aid slips sent to Christian Aid directly Also direct cheques for £425.00 |
£599.00 | G01 Christian Aid | £599.00 | |
| F02 Christmas Appeal | £975.00 | G02 Life Works Staffordshire* | £487.50 | |
| G02 Christians Against Poverty* | £487.50 | |||
| F03 Easter Appeal | £1176.70 | G03 Number 11 Burslem* | £588.35 | |
| G03 Church Action on Poverty* | £588.35 | |||
| F05 Christian Aid (Individuals also contributed online) |
£20.00 | G05 Christian Aid | £20.00 | |
| F06 MHA Appeal | £340.00 | G06 MHA *(inc late donation 19-20) | £365.00 | |
| F07 Action for Children (Xmas/AforC envs + direct chqs £125 |
£906.00 | G07 Action for Children* | £906.00 | |
| F11 ASHA(plus £30 direct chqs) | £130.00 | G11 ASHA* | £130.00 | |
| TOTAL: | £4,146.70 | TOTAL: | £4,171.70 | |
| D08 *Also donations equivalent to Gift Aidpaid to Recipients marked * |
£514.30 |
NOTE (#): Treasurer Error 2019-20, extra £25.00 was paid away to MHA on 4/09/2020
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Independent exarninerfs report to the trustees of Trinity Church, Leek I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Trinity Church, Leek, on pages 1-4 for the year ended 31" August 2021. Responsibilities and basis of report. As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with these records. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fair view" which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination,. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin6 of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: ........ Page 5