OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Woughton Ecumenical Partnership

2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Accounts 2024

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING of the WOUGHTON ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP at Christ the Vine Community Church – Coffee Hall Thursday 15[th] May 2025 at 7:30pm

Charity Registration number 1172298

1

Ecumenical Vision Statement For the Woughton Ecumenical Parish

In the light of the prayer of Christ ‘may they all be one… that the world may believe that you sent me…’ (Jn 17.21) and the injunction to ‘spare no effort to make fast with bonds of peace the unity which the Spirit gives’ (Eph 4:3), members of Woughton Ecumenical Parish commit themselves to work together in serving God’s mission locally and beyond.

Members of the Parish, drawn from the four participating denominations (The Church of England, The Methodist Church, The Baptist Union and The United Reformed Church) and from other Christian traditions, seek to respond to the call of God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our life together and our mission are shaped by our core values:

Each of our five local congregations gives expression to the above, in its worship, ministry and mission.

2

AGENDAS for

Annual Parochial Church Meeting of Woughton Parish,

Parochial Church Council of Woughton Parish,

Annual Congregational Meeting of Woughton Ecumenical Partnership,

At 7.30pm on Thursday 15[th] May 2025

Christ the Vine Community Church – Coffee Hall

Prayers led by the Team.

Rev Ian Herbert in the Chair for items 1 and 2.

  1. Annual Parochial Church Meeting

  2. a. Approval of Minutes of Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8[th] May 2024

  3. b. Election for churchwardens

  4. d. Election of PCC members as nominated in Appendix A

  5. e. Decision on number of elected PCC members for the year 2025/26

  6. f. Appointment of Deanery Synod representative

  7. Parochial Church Council Meeting

  8. a. Co-option of PCC member

  9. b. Election of PCC Secretary

  10. c. Proposal that the WEP Treasurer should act as the PCC Treasurer for the year

Mike Davidge in the Chair

  1. Annual Congregational Meeting

  2. a. Approval of the Minutes of Annual Congregational Meeting of WEP held on 8[th] May 2024

  3. b. Presentation of the Report

  4. c. Presentation of the Accounts for 2024

  5. d. Appointment of the Independent Examiner

  6. e. Ex-officio Trustees

  7. f. Election of Trustees of the Woughton Ecumenical Partnership (up to nine)

  8. g. Appointment of the Methodist Circuit Representative

  9. h. Appointment of Representatives to Netherfield Partnership.

Appendix A to the Agenda

Appendix B

3

Appendix A

Nominations for appointments at Partnership level 2025-2026

Annual Parochial Church Meeting:

PCC Members Lynn Castle (St T) all for one year Irene Longstaff (TF) 2025-26 Don Mahon (TF)

PCC Ex-Officio to note Revd Ian Herbert, Revd Paul Norris,

Church Wardens St Mary’s Deanery Synod Representatives

St Mary’s Di Miller St Thomas’ Iola Samuels Woolstone John Howard Di Miller, Kim Weston, Linda Kirk

Parochial Church Council:

Co-opt to PCC Revd. Charmaine Howard

Annual Congregational Meeting:

WEP Trustees For three years to 2025

For information: Continuing Trustees

Geoffrey Miller (St. M)[(2026) ] Pamela Pow[(2027)] For Election Lynn Castle (St.T) Iola Samuels (St.T) Mike Davidge (Chair of Trustees) David Hart (CtV) Don Mahon (TF) Marilyn Mahon (TF) John Howard (W)

Ex-Officio Trustees

Revd. Ian Herbert , Revd. Paul Norris, Revd. Charmaine Howard, Methodist Circuit (2) Lynn Castle; Marilyn Mahon, Don Mahon Netherfield Partnership (corporate member) Revd Ian Herbert / Revd. Charmaine Howard

4

Appendix B

Other Appointments and Representatives 2025-2026

Ministry Team

Revd Ian Herbert Revd Paul Norris Revd Charmaine Howard

Other Ordained Ministers

Revd Christopher Bell

Preachers and worship leaders Lynn Castle Mike Davidge Judy Rapp John Howard Linda Kirk

Safeguarding Officers St. Mary’s – Kim Weston St. Thomas – Iola Samuels Holy Trinity – Judy Rapp Trinity Fishermead - Irene Longstaff Christ the Vine –

URC Synod Representatives (appointed by local churches – 1 per church)

5

Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

of Woughton Parish on 8th May 2024 at St Thomas’ Church, Simpson.

Present: Paul Norris Kim Weston Pamela Pow Lynn Davidge Mike Davidge Lynn Castle Ruth Thomas Peter Thomas Gary Dickinson Iola Samuels Geoffrey Miller David Hart Christine Peel Jill Strong Philip Dimarcos Ian Herbert Barbara Zimmer Kay Dimarcos Don Mahon Marilyn Mahon Viv McGregor Norma Baldwin Di Miller Jean Mattinsley John Howard Ann Bell Susan Newby Christopher Bell Angela Ollis Irene Longstaff Natasha Cheriyan Dolly Nicholls Pat Hodges Charmaine Howard Sue Smith David Bird Brian Baldwin John Howard Philip Coppen Helen Hobson Dawn Flannagan

Apologies: Barbara Albone, Angy Norris, Jennifer Harding, Pauline Rudiger, Linda Kirk, Ruth Davies, Ann Davies, James Whysall, Barbara Chapman, Eric Foster.

Rev Paul Norris led prayers.

Rev Ian Herbert in the chair for Items 1 & 2

  1. Annual Parochial Church Meeting

  2. a) Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on 9th May 2023 were proposed for approval by Chris Bell and seconded by Iola Samuels and all voted in favour.

  3. b) Nominations for churchwardens. Nominations have been received for John Howard from Woolstone Church and Iola Samuels from St Thomas’ Church. These nominations had been proposed by Ian Herbert and seconded by Jean Mattinsley last year and they are now in the second year of the triennium.

  4. c) Approval of PCC members. Appendix A with the addition of Mandy Heart and David Hart for Christ the Vine Church was agreed .

  5. d) Appointment of representatives for the Anglican Deanery Synod. Kim Weston and Di Miller are serving another triennium. Linda Kirk as a third representative for Deanery Synod was proposed by Kim Weston and seconded by Mike Davidge. All in agreement.

  6. e) Co-option of Ministry Team as members of the PCC agreed.

Parochial Church Meeting

6

Meeting ended at 7.42pm.

7

Minutes of the Annual Congregational Meeting of Woughton Ecumenical Partnership held on 8[th] May 2024 at St Thomas’ Church Simpson.

Present. 41 members of the Partnership were present in person. Apologies. There were 10 apologies recorded.

Mike Davidge in the Chair for the Annual Congregational Meeting

Mike offered grateful thanks to Don and Marilyn Mahon for all their hard work.

The Annual Congregational Meeting concluded at 9.10pm after prayers were led by Rev Charmaine Howard.

8

Parochial Church Council Report 2025 -- Di Miller, PCC Secretary

The Woughton Parish continues to serve this area. Services have been taking place across the Partnership although Christ the Vine has maintained the streaming service option in addition to attendance. St Mary’s have reverted to a limited exchange of The Peace and the congregation deciding to use the Communion chalice and retain the use of the small Baptist service glasses for the wine to offer a choice.

In the past year at St Thomas’ the church family was sad to see their Methodist minister Rev Nicola Vidamour leave for another post. She is being missed by the whole Parish. Iola Samuels as the churchwarden has submitted reports. A Quinquennial Inspection was carried out which confirmed the pressing needs of the church building. The cracks in the chancel wall have been carefully monitored by a structural engineer. Flashing on the roof needed repair and this was done.. One of the more recent problems was the breakdown of the boiler and this resulted in a solution after waiting many months. Applications have been made for grants to help pay for structural work on the church. Faculties have been approved for reservations for burial plots for Memorial ashes in the churchyard. The churchyard has been well maintained throughout the year. There is now a St Thomas’ Churchyard spread sheet indicating grave sites by name available online.

On behalf of St Mary’s Church, Jean Mattinsley joined the PCC in the year as a representative from St Mary’s standing in as the unofficial “Churchwarden”. She has reported on building matters to the PCC. Earlier in the year there was a problem of a blocked drain from the vestry toilet which needed a Faculty for a large trench to be dug and a new pipe laid. The roof hatch on the top of the tower needed replacement as the wood was damaged. Later in the summer of 2024 a Quinquennial Inspection was carried out, which revealed urgent work needed on the stonework of the church.

Very little progress has been made on the boundary walls, both east and north, as the hotel is in a state of change and communications are difficult to maintain.

In the churchyard a dedicated team of volunteers have maintained the garden area very well. The church clock finally shows and strikes the correct time.

The Church Hall has been revalued but progress has been slow. The sale is in the hands of an agency approved by the PCC and the Diocese.

Christ the Vine Community Church building is owned by the Oxford Diocese. An extension to the dining room and a disabled ramp on the east door is planned and being saved for by the congregation. Oxford Diocese have paid the money for a feasibility study for the extension and a report had been requested and was sent to the DAC. There has been a joint initiative between MKCC and CTV to limit the effect of flooding by putting in planters to soak up extra water from downflow pipes. Work has been done on the fire doors to make sure they are effective for disabled access in an emergency.

Rema Church has a booking to use the church building on a Sunday afternoon and they have renewed their booking for 2025. MKCC also rents space in the building during the week. The machine which provides boiling water in the kitchen now needs replacement.

The Fishermead Community Centre has been working towards moving forward for a Community Asset Transfer. There have been a number of difficulties which have arisen, and the process has stalled. The digital café is now ready to provide computer resources to those who need them. Volunteers have come forward to help.

The Food Larder and Breakfast Club is continuing to run each Monday with volunteers from Trinity Church, Fishermead and St Mary’s Church. It is popular and fills a need.

The Manse on Fishermead has needed some painting and other maintenance and is rented out and brings in the income to WEP.

9

The Community Church at Woolstone. The Asset Transfer has not gone ahead. It is a listed building which makes it complicated. In fact, other options are being considered The heating system has been very problematic with regard to both the need for a new boiler and different radiators. There have been occasions when the church was unable to open on a Sunday because of the lack of heating. Permission is being sought from the Listed Building Consent to install a new boiler. Hirings for the building have been lost due to the poor heating arrangements.

February 2025 Di Miller PCC Secretary

Annual Report and Accounts Woughton Ecumenical Partnership Foreword

This annual report reviews the life, ministry and activities of Woughton Ecumenical Partnership and its congregations in 2024. As ever, we owe much to our Ministry team and to so many of our members who work hard to maintain our Christian community and witness.

In April we were sorry to say farewell to Rev Nicola Vidamour who moved to take up a teaching role at Wesley House in Cambridge. Nicola’s contribution to the Partnership was greatly valued, in strengthening our ecumenical outlook and in building a growing congregation at St Thomas’s, Simpson.

With Nicola’s departure, the Trustees considered very carefully the matter of a replacement to maintain the staffing of the ministerial team in support of our shared mission. Unfortunately, the Trustees had to conclude that the current level of income was not sufficient to allow us to commit to another stipendiary ministerial post at this time.

The reduction in ministerial costs did mean that we ended the year with an income surplus but Trustees recognise that the reduced staffing level puts a greater strain on the remaining Ministry team. This will be a major topic for 2025, together with related and developing issues around what it means to be an ecumenical partnership in these circumstances.

We remain grateful for generous giving from members throughout the Partnership to keep our ministry and mission running. Our Treasurer Don Mahon, the district treasurers and the Trustees will continue to address this as a priority for us all as members so that we can look to develop our mission in our communities.

Church members continued to be involved with the food larder at Fishermead. Christ the Vine continued to host the Wellbeing Hub with its aim of bringing together local community and health groups to provide a welcoming and supportive meeting place in a café setting. St Thomas’s and St Mary’s regularly provide informal drop-in sessions and space for other community activities. Holy Trinity Woolstone provides a fortnightly service of worship at a local residential home.

On behalf of the Trustees I want to thank our Ministry team, our volunteer ministers (ordained and lay) and others who lead worship and all those in our churches who do so much to build our life together and maintain our witness in the community.

There are many challenges facing us in maintaining the life and mission of the Partnership but we can be confident that God goes ahead of us. Our ecumenical vision statement reminds us that, as members, we commit ourselves ‘to work together in serving God’s mission locally and beyond.’ WEP’s role is to support all of us in the part we can play in that mission as we ‘seek to respond to the call of God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.’

Mike Davidge Chair of Trustees

10

Contents Section Title

1. Reference and Administrative Information

2. Structure, Governance and Management

3. Partnership Aims and Objectives

4. Activity and Achievement Reports

Financial Review

Appendices

11

Annual Report and Accounts 2024

  1. Reference and Administration Details :

  2. 1.1 Name: Woughton Ecumenical Partnership (abbreviated as WEP).

  3. 1.2 Address:

Partnership Office, Christ the Vine Community Church, Jonathans, Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 5DE Tel 01908 392583 www.woughton.org

1.3 Trustees: Lynn Castle Marilyn Mahon Mike Davidge Di Miller David Hart Geoff Miller Rev Ian Herbert Rev Paul Norris Rev Charmaine Howard Pamela Pow (from 8 May 2024) John Howard Iola Samuels Don Mahon Rev Nicola Vidamour (to 28 April 2024)

1.4 Key Personnel: Chair: Mike Davidge Ministry Team: Rev Ian Herbert, Rev Charmaine Howard, Rev Paul Norris, Rev Nicola Vidamour (to 28 April 2024) Secretary: Di Miller Treasurer: Don Mahon WEP Administrator: Tim May

CAFBank, Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, Central Board of Finance of the Church of England, CCLA Investment Management.

2. Structure, Governance and Management: 2.1 Governing documents:

Woughton Ecumenical Partnership (WEP) is established as a single congregation local ecumenical partnership. Its governing documents – the Constitution and Schedule – were approved and adopted at the inaugural congregational meeting on 18 October 2016. From this date, WEP replaced the former body known as Woughton Ecumenical Parish.

As well as the governing documents, there is a Memorandum of Understanding made between the Bishop of Buckingham, the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Woughton and the Trustees of WEP.

WEP is established as a charitable unincorporated association. The Charity Commission registered it as a charity on 28 March 2017 with Registered Charity Number 1172298.

A set of Standing Orders (SOs) has been approved by the Trustees. Each one covers a specific aspect of WEP policy. Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) form part of the SOs and work is in progress to clarify and extend the matters covered by the SFIs. The SOs and SFIs are drawn up to comply with the governing documents, relevant charity legislation and good practice as promulgated by the Charity Commission as Regulator. The SOs all have scheduled review dates and the Trustees review each document as it falls due (or sooner if need arises). New SOs and SFIs are developed when need arises.

The Trustee Body consists of:

During 2024, one ex officio Trustee left the Partnership and ceased to be a Trustee, one new Trustee was elected at the Annual Congregational Meeting. The other Trustees were either elected or ex officio for the whole of the year.

12

All Trustees have received the Charity Commission guide ‘The essential trustee’. No formal training for Trustees took place in 2024.

2.3 The organizational structure of WEP and how decisions are made:

Each of the five churches in WEP is expected to establish its own District Church Council (DCC). A DCC may take the form of an elected council or be a congregational meeting open to all members. The DCC’s task is to maintain and develop the life and mission of their local church. The rules governing DCCs are contained in SO No. 8 District Church Councils. With regard to Trustees, our practice is to ask each church to nominate up to two Trustees to the Partnership, for approval by the Annual Congregational Meeting. A Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are elected by the Trustees. Members of the Ministry Team are ex officio Trustees. The Trustees have delegated to the Ministry Team matters of ministry and spiritual and pastoral care. There is an Annual Congregational Meeting to receive the Report and Accounts and elect Trustees (if there is a vacancy or a Trustee’s term is expiring). The normal business of the Partnership is conducted through regular meetings of the Trustees and of the DCCs during the year. Membership data is set out in Appendix 1.

The Partnership Trustees act to mitigate all risks.

Reference and Administration Details :

3. WEP’s Objectives

3.1 Our purpose

As set out in our Governing document, the purpose of the Charity is to advance the Christian faith in the Area of Benefit in accordance with the principles and practices of the Participating Churches.

Our Ecumenical Vision Statement

In the light of the prayer of Christ ‘may they all be one… that the world may believe that you sent me…’ (John 17.21) and the injunction to ‘spare no effort to make fast with bonds of peace the unity which the Spirit gives’ (Ephesians 4:3), members of WEP commit themselves to work together in serving God’s mission locally and beyond.

Members, drawn from the four participating denominations (The Church of England, The Methodist Church, The Baptist Union and The United Reformed Church) and from other Christian traditions, seek to respond to the call of God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our life together and our mission are shaped by our core values:

3.2 Our Mission Objectives Each of our five local congregations gives expression to the above, in its worship, ministry and mission. Together across the Partnership we look to:

13

  1. Provide regular public worship for all who wish to attend.

  2. Pray for the well-being of members, adherents and people and organisations in the community. 3. Provide opportunities for children, young people and adults to learn about the Christian faith and its key teaching.

  3. Undertake mission activity including both evangelism and service as appropriate.

  4. Engage with the local community and other agencies to work towards meeting the needs of the community.

  5. Engage in pastoral work for the benefit of members and others.

  6. Offer baptism, thanksgiving, naming and blessing, marriage and funeral services for members, adherents and people in the wider community with appropriate preparation and follow-up.

  7. Provide facilities and activities with a Christian ethos for the local community including the elderly, young and groups with special needs.

  8. Support other charities in the United Kingdom and overseas.

  9. Seek God's guidance and direction in all that we do.

3.3 Our continuing objectives

District churches

How did we do: Many activities, including worship services, community events and weddings and baptisms have now recovered following the disruptions of Covid although attendances at Sunday services and membership numbers are lower than they were. Our churches continued their efforts to keep in touch with members and local communities, particularly those known to be vulnerable, through electronic media, by phone and personal visits. Several of our churches have regular drop-in sessions offering conversation and refreshments; two churches provide worship services at two residential homes; one has established a link with a dementia care centre and another hosts worship services for pupils from (to use the school’s own description) a local ‘extra special, special school.’ One church hosts a special Remembrance Day service for pupils from local schools. Members from several of our churches have continued to help at the food larder scheme on Fishermead. At Christ the Vine, the Wellbeing Hub continued, aiming to bring together local community and health groups to provide a welcoming and supportive meeting place in a café setting.

The Partnership

How did we do: Some members took advantage of training courses, particularly including specific training on safeguarding or in support of their existing roles in our churches.

Trustees

14

How did we do: The weekly newsletter and web site continue as sources of information. The new web site is in operation and has been developing as a source of news and information for all our churches. Cross-Partnership Lent and Holy Week services were held. Members responded with great generosity to enable us to end the year in a better position than we budgeted for; we are close to restoring our financial reserves to our target level. We did though have to decide that we were not in a strong enough position financially to replace a departing stipendiary minister. Members were encouraged to use standing orders or bank transfers where possible. Contactless giving is available in one church (two from early 2025) and direct online giving is available via the CAFDonate web site. Our thanks go to the district church and Partnership treasurers for all their work to encourage good stewardship practices but we know that financial challenges lie ahead and will require continued effort to manage. On applicable laws and regulations, the Trustees continue to give close regard to these. In 2024, we continued to review our own standing orders, including our safeguarding policy, to ensure they reflect good practice. We need to do more work on reviewing strategy and what it means to be an ecumenical partnership in current circumstances.

4. Activity and Achievement Reports:

4.1 Ministry Team 2024 Ian Herbert, Paul Norris, Charmaine Howard.

With the departure of Revd. Nicola Vidamour at the end of April 2024, Revd. Ian Herbert took on the responsibility and pastoral responsibility of St. Thomas’ Simpson. This has had an impact on the ministry team as a whole and has affected not only St. Thomas’ - Simpson, but Trinity - Fishermead, and Holy Trinity – Woolstone. We as a ministry team have been able to ensure all five churches have remained open every Sunday for collective worship. This has only been possible with the generosity and support of the following people. Our sincere thanks go to; John Howard, Judy Rapp, David Hart, Mike Davidge, Revd. Chris Bell, Revd. Hannah Akebo-Betts, Lynn Castle, Linda Kirk and those from the Methodist Circuits, and other retired Ministers who have supported us on occasions over the last year. Although this last year has at times been very busy, we have seen growth in some of our churches. However, we have seen some move on due to personal circumstances, and sadly those that have passed away. Christ the Vine continued to offer worship online for those who are unable to attend in person. The Ministry team has continued to be involved with and support the outreach initiatives of all five churches.

Although our Pastoral work is shared with church members and does not exclusively fall on the shoulders of the Ministry Team, 2024 once again saw an increase in the Ministry Team’s involvement with church members and residents living in our communities. 2024 continued with a high number of funerals and the pastoral care associated with the death of a loved one.

The beginning of 2024 once again gave us the opportunity for the whole Partnership to come together for teaching and learning about the Christian faith, through online Bible Study groups, Sunday School, and our Advent and Lent reflections. With weekly prayers at the House of Prayer, Bible Study Groups throughout the partnership, and the online Compline on a Wednesday.

Please read the reports from each of the churches if you would like to know more about what each church has been up to.

All five churches continue open to ensure a safe environment for all, with some still wearing face masks. Communion is given with the option of a shared chalice or individual cups.

Thank you for your support, and help. Without you we would not have been able to ensure the wellbeing of all who attended our churches.

2024 saw us again celebrating public worship at our Easter and Christmas services in all five churches, with a slight decrease in numbers attending.

The Ministry Team continued to connect with local schools, homes for the elderly, community projects, residents ’associations, Mum’s and Toddler groups, community councils and other organizations.

.

See local church reports for details of the strong community links our churches have.

15

Our heartfelt thought and thanks go to Tim May our Partnership Administrator who continued to support the Ministry Team by taking on the day-to-day administrative tasks. Tim continues to play his part in maintenance of the web site, and PAT testing for our churches.

The Parish has a long tradition of lay involvement. We once again take this opportunity to thank all who have supported us by offering and exercising their gifts and skills. Without you we would not have been able to be as effective in our ministry and communities as we have been.

In 2024 we had the privilege of taking 4 weddings, 5 Baptisms, and we were asked to officiate at 5 funerals and 13 interments of Ashes, 34 services at the crematorium.

We as a Ministry Team, continue to encourage you all to seek God’s guidance on how you might be able to support the work of WEP and the local churches and communities we serve. Revd. Ian Herbert, Revd. Paul Norris, Revd. Charmaine Howard. 4.2 Secretarial Report for WEP ACM 2025

During this past year of 2024/25 WEP has worked on behalf of the Partnership. We have held our Trustees meetings face to face with a renewed focus on reports from the five churches. We remain under strength with regard to the numbers of possible Trustees. The Annual Congregational Meeting in 2024 had a good turnout of 47 members. The Trustees have met six times during the year, in May, July, October, November 2024 and January and March 2025 The minutes of all these meetings, recorded by Di Miller as the Secretary are available to read in the Parish Office and online. In addition, we had a special Discussion Forum on March 1[st] 2025 of Trustees together with the PCC and chairs of District Church Councils to discuss the future of our LEP.

Tim May, the Parish Administrator, has been working partly at home. He is in the office on some days but always on Fridays or by appointment. He has been compiling and sending out the Parish newsletters and Prayer Diary electronically, and also paper copies for those who are not on email. Tim has continued to offer his expertise through the year with PAT testing of appliances and risk assessments. Our thanks too for his help in assembling this annual report. The web site (woughton.org) is working well as are the emails associated with the web site. Tim has also been very helpful in the management of the church pages on the web site which continues to be a valuable resource for people to find out information regarding the Woughton Partnership. Tim updates the web site as he is instructed by the different churches. St Mary’s Church uses woughton.net for easier access to the churchyard information but there is a link to the Parish website.

Our prayers are now for us for guidance and discernment on the way ahead for our Partnership and for new opportunities to grow and serve God here in Woughton.

Di Miller Secretary to WEP. March 2025 4.3 Christ the Vine - Church Report

Church Ministry Sunday worship has remained at 10:45 each Sunday with Communion Services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The third (and fifth) Sunday of each has been designated a Cafe Service. David Hart continues to support the church by leading worship once a month. David’s commitment has gone a long way to ensuring that Sunday services continue uninterrupted. We are grateful to David for his commitment and support. This year we have benefitted from and been blessed by the preaching and leading of guest speakers including Esther Squire, Chris Gill, Linda Kirk, Judy Rapp and John Howard. We continue to use Worship Lyric Videos to support our sung worship. As a church we gather for corporate worship on Sunday mornings. This is our special time to meet together as the family of God to worship. We have continued to use zoom to encourage and support those who are not able to attend church in person due to illness or other pressing reason. However,

16

attendance in person is still preferred and we encourage everyone to join us in the church building on Sunday mornings. It is a way of worshipping God, getting to know each other and building our church community. Attendance has stabilised around 20 people each Sunday, however we need to continue to prioritise church attendance in the coming year. We offer tea and coffee after our church services. This is a time to stop and talk to each other so that we get to know each other better. The rotas for tea/coffee and Readers are working well, but we would love to involve more people! Thank you, Pauline, for organising these. Study Vine stopped this year as it was difficult to find leaders for the sessions and attendance was low. We need to consider how we can ensure that our mid-week groups and Bible Studies can be better facilitated so that we grow in our discipleship. Mission We worked with the local community to develop and maintain our presence in the area. The new Coffee Hall Residents Association has recently been set up and we are looking to develop our relationship with them. We collaborated with the Woughton Community Council to put on a Community Carol Singing in December. This was very successful. A good number of people from the church and the community attended. We also led a number of services in the Community including the School’s Remembrance Service that was attended by primary (and some secondary) school children, the Mayor and Councillors. There were hundreds of people in attendance at the Memorial outside the church building. We also led the Community Remembrance Service, and this was well attended this year, with a significant number of people from the community joining us for tea and coffee after the service. Grapevine has maintained its core group of people who enjoy participating in gardening activities, art and craft, music making, table tennis and chatting over food and drink in the cafe. More work now needs to be done to advertise and attract new people to participate. We are also in need of more volunteers to help run the activities and the cafe. We continue to have a prayer and reflection time each week at the end of the session. More people are joining our prayer time that takes place before the session. Grapevine has raised money for the church at their Summer and Christmas Fairs. The mission plan now needs to be reviewed, and a new plan put in place. Building The church continues to be used by Admiral Nurses to provide support for Carers of people living with dementia. This is a drop-in group where carers can enjoy company and chat over tea and coffee. They also have the opportunity to talk privately and gain professional advice from the Admiral Nurses. The Drop-In sessions are the first and third Wednesday afternoon of each month. The sessions have now expanded to include craft activities to support wellbeing. Rhema Church have continued to meet each Sunday at 1pm and will continue till October 2025. We have also had a number of one-off bookings for conferences, parties and meetings. We thank Russell for his hard work and the extra time and energy he has given to recruiting and managing new bookings as well as the extra work involved in setting out furniture and cleaning after each booking. The plans for the extension have not progressed because there is a lot of background paperwork to complete and there has not been time. This is something we need to arrange a working group (including people from the community and other partnership churches) to take up in the coming months. We are still raising money for the extension and the ramp. This year we have replaced fencing panels that came down in the storms, purchased a fitted a new water boiler and also updated the lighting in the toilets.

Minister: Rev. Charmaine Howard 4.4 Holy Trinity - Woolstone Annual Report

We have had a regular attendance of between 8 and 12 worshippers each Sunday. However, this number can on occasion increase to the mid-teens. Our first Sunday of the month Cafe Service has been particularly successful, often being attended by 15 worshippers.

Once a month the church runs a service for the residents of Parklands Nursing home. This outreach has been particularly appreciated, and our thanks go to those of our congregation who have been supporting and running it.

Once a week there is a Bible Class meeting, and this has a regular and faithful attendance.

17

The year has been dogged by uncertainty in relation to the future of the building and the inadequacy of the heating system. However, the end of the year has seen the resolution of both these problems. The building is to be managed on a fifteen-year lease by the Community Association and a new heating system has been fitted.

The pattern of services has now become well established. We have Cafe Service on the first Sunday of the month. Services on the second and fourth Sundays and lay led and Holy Communion is on the third Sunday. When there are five Sundays in the month, then special arrangements are made.

The challenge facing our church community concerns growth. How do we become more missional and how do we gain a higher profile within the community?

John Howard Church Warden

4.5 St. Mary’s

As another year has flown by, work within the church has gone on, and changes have taken place to enable work of the Lord to continue, without too many gaps or upheaval. Our Churchwarden resigned and Jean stepped back into the breach and has done a sterling job and the occasional episodes of ill health of other key workers has meant that others have taken on roles to support them, and the load has been shared. Di Miller has continued to be our secretary, and I am thankful for that. Others have done their reports, but this is just brief resume.

WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY

PRACTICAL ISSUES

• The Link Romania Shoebox appeal was well supported again. My grateful thanks to all those that give their time and energy to enable the church to keep functioning in their named roles, Jean, Norma, Brian. For the cleaning teams and refreshment providers, the readers, the chair movers, the gardeners. I would like more people to become involved in any of these roles, so please step forward if you have time and energy. Kim Weston 2025

18

4.6 St Thomas’ Church Annual Report 2024/5

My thanks to all the members of St Thomas’ Church for their enthusiasm and support during this past year. I am delighted to say that our membership has grown slowly, and our congregation has adapted well to the unforeseen changes that had to be made when Rev. Nicola accepted a new position as Director of Reflective Pastoral Care at Wesley College, Cambridge.

The times of our Sunday worship had to change to 11.15am. Rev. Ian Herbert agreed to Celebrate Holy Communion for us twice a month. Lynn Castle, worship leader, provides an Interactive service each month and Linda Kirk leads a monthly Café Style act of worship. Lay preachers, from the Methodist circuit, help when there is a fifth Sunday of the month, or when Rev. Ian is not available. Our worship is enhanced by Alan our organist and Mike and Matthew who play their guitars. Olive continues to arrange beautiful floral arrangements.

Ruth Thomas, our able secretary , is a friend to us all. Ruth ensures that our regular DCC meetings are properly managed and recorded, and members are kept up to date with news and any relevant changes. Ruth also maintains the burial records of the Churchyard. The Churchyard is being well maintained by a new member of the congregation and our gardener. The Architect visited in February, he walked around the churchyard and was pleased to note that some of the dead trees, and hedges have either been removed or pruned. The Churchyard is now full of Spring flowers.

The Architect also looked at the historic cracks in the Chancel. Further measurements are to be made, and the results analysed. The damaged lead on the North Transept has been replaced.

Sadly, we lost the Rev. Paul LeSueur and Brian Hills . They are now at rest in the churchyard.

Alison, one of our members looks after a group of “walkers” who visit the church for tea and a chat as part of their Bi-monthly walks. Alison collects our contributions for the MK Food Bank which she delivers each month and keeps up to date with any special requests from them.

Each month a group of our members sing hymns at the Day Centre for people with a dementing illness. Some of the members have visited our Church, with the support of their staff, and are now requesting further visits so that they may enjoy a service. This is now in the planning stage.

The Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs brought their colours into the church on Remembrance Sunday. After a short service we all went to the War Memorial for the formal act of Remembrance.

Charles Warren Junior School held their Christmas Concert in the church. Two performances took place so that all the parents and grandparents could attend. We have had lots of fun with quizzes, musical concerts, poetry evenings and a Christmas Bazaar. Our fund raiser, Pat Hodges , has a group of helpers who, not only raise money for our church, but also for many charities. At Christmas and during the summer the Salvation Army lead us with hymn singing and music. The church members provided the teas.

Iola Samuels Church Warden 4[th] March 2025

19

Ministers report Revd. Ian Herbert for St Thomas’ Church, Simpson With departure of

Revd. Nicola at the end of April 2024, we had to change not only our worship time but our pattern of worship. Thank you for being accommodating. Our new Sunday worship time has allowed me to also continue to serve Holy Trinity, and Trinity. Worshipping once again with you and sharing communion with you has been a real joy on the second and fourth Sundays. We have also been able to continue with worship on the first and fourth with two new services led by our home-grown layette with Lynn Castle leading a family style service on the first Sunday and Linda Kirk introducing and leading a Café style service on the third. My sincere thanks to both Lynn and Linda for having the courage to follow God’s call. Our fifth Sunday worship remains flexible and again thank you to those who have kindly supported us.

However, Sundays would not happen without the wonderful support from many of you. I know Iola has mentioned you, but I would also like to thank you for making St Thomas’ such a warm and welcoming church. Special thanks go to Iola, Ruth, Helen, Alison and of course Alan, Mike, Matthew for leading us beautifully and sprightly in our sung worship and Peter who has insured we have been able to worship through our sound system when our musicians have not been available. Huge thanks to Sean for all he has and continues to do in the graveyard and the church, and we must all give thanks for our church warden Iola, Trustees Iola and Lynn and our wonderful DCC who not only manage the day to day running of the church but who have also been a great support to me.

Our Christmas Eve 9.30pm Holy communion service was well attended with both new and old faces with many thanking us for having the service at 9.30 and thinking about the elderly and those with young families.

Another highlight from me is that we are seeing growth and have welcomed into our church family a number of new people, some new Christians and others who are more mature in their faith. Psalm 100:5 says “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Iola in her report has mentioned other highs and some of the lows we as church have faced over 2024, please do take the time to read her report.

So, as we give thanks for God’s faithfulness over the last year, we look forward to all He has for us as we look forward.

In Christ

Revd. Ian Herbert

4.7

Trinity Fishermead Ministers report Revd. Ian Herbert Worship

Our Sunday worship continues to be our primary focus, with our monthly Worship, Study and Prayer meeting still paused due to the external pressures of life and ill health, however, our Compline service continues at 8.30pm on Wednesdays through Zoom. Over the last year we have welcomed new people into our fellowship and sadly seen some go due to moving away from the area. Our worship pattern remains the same as previous years with Holy Communion on the first and third Sunday, family service on the second Sunday, and a service of the word on the fourth Sunday. Our services throughout the month remain Ecumenical. Our fifth Sundays are more flexible in style with Café worship and other ways of worshipping.

We have not only been able to maintain the continuity of our service but also to experience varied styles of worship. This has been achieved with and due to the support and commitment of Rev Chris Bell and Rev Hannah Akebo-Betts, not forgetting those who have kindly supported us in leading our services when we were unable to do so. Our Sunday worship is enhanced with our small but very able worship group and my thanks go to Don, Jill, Chris and Ann for leading us in our sung worship. We continue to be encouraged that a member of the congregation is presently exploring a gifting of preaching as he continues to receive guidance and support.

20

However, Sundays would not happen without the HUGE commitment from Don and Marilyn
Mahon who without fail turn up at 09.00 every Sunday to set the church up. At times this has
meant they have had to sweep and mop the floor and move tables before being able to set
the chairs out, bring the altar, lectern, projector, piano and screen in and then set everything
up! And I’m sure you will all join me in extending our gratitude and thanks to them both for
undertaking this task.
My thanks also go to those who help put the church away and get the Trinity Centre ready
for the community larder and to Ann and Denyse for the hospitality we receive after our
services, again maybe you might want to support them in this gift and commitment.
Thank you to our DCC who have been a great support to me and make the decisions for the
smooth running the church, Our chair Chris Bell, Secretary Marilyn Mahon, Treasurer Eben
Koomson, Safeguarding Irene Longstaff, and our reps Veronica Ackah, Ann Bell, Elizabeth
Bolajoko, Don Mahon, Ayo Otusanya and Rev Ian Herbert.
Missional Activities:
The Church continues to work with other groups in the development of a Community Hub at
The Trinity Centre for Fishermead and surrounding areas and, over the past year (and in
collaboration with the Trinity Centre Management Committee and Sofea) the Church
continues to run the Food Larder on Monday mornings from 10am till 11:30am. A small team
from Trinity church and St Marys church volunteer with one member from the local
community. It is positive work, but it can also have its challenges! The aim is to support
people to live more independently. It was clear that as we entered our third year a number of
those who attend have gained much through making friendships and by having an
awareness of the services provided by the various community agencies that regularly
attended, such as – The Samaritans, Diabetes UK, Financial Advice services, Officers from
Milton Keynes Council and Campbell Park Town Council, and a retired member of the
Christian organisation Parish Nursing Ministries UK also attends to provide an opportunity
for Blood Pressure checks and signposting to other health advice services. We also
welcomed the local Pre-school children on three occasions. It is also lovely to record again
that some of the members of the Food Larder have started to attend our Sunday Services.
The Church continues to play a substantial role within the Trinity Centre’s Management
Committee and appreciation must go to the individuals involved. Overall, we sense that the
efforts of the Church(es) and the Trinity Centre Management Committee have gained
valuable experience in ‘hands-on’ missional work to their local community, lessons have
undoubtedly been learnt and the various external sponsors, agencies and other observers,
have recognised it as a very inclusive and successful project.
So, as we give thanks for God’s faithfulness over the last year, we look forward to all He has
for us as we look forward.
In Christ
Revd. Ian Herbert
4.8 Marriage in the Parish
Please refer to Ministers Report
4.9 Baptism and Thanksgiving Naming and Blessings:
Please Refer to Ministers Report
4.10 Bereavement Care:
Please refer to Ministers Report
4.11 Adults, Babies and Children (ABC):
ABC has been held in Christ the Vine for many years and is still welcoming families. We
offer a range of activities for the group, arts, crafts, and a good selection of toys for babies
and children. We continue to see about 20 regular children (plus the adults) attending, of
which a number of them are now from Coffee Hall. We are committed to supporting and
helping this community to grow.Nicky Graves

21

4.12 The Netherfield Partnership Limited (NP Ltd):

Nothing to report.

4.13 Website Report (2025 AGM)

The website continues to be hosted on Church 123, and is maintained and updated by myself, with content being posted as and when it is received. Some initial issues regarding some of the Woughton email addresses were resolved and are now functioning correctly.

There is also a link to woughton.net, giving access to the St. Mary’s Churchyard website.

Tim May – Website Administrator

4.14 Safeguarding Report (2025 AGM)

In the absence of a lead, I have been asked to provide a report.

We continue to follow the Methodist Safeguarding Policy. The full version is available here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/policies-procedure-and-information/policies-andguidance/

A shorter version that Nicola was able to get agreed in 2024, is available on the website and every church should have a copy available to be seen it will be reviewed again at the beginning of WEP year, updated as necessary (in accordance with any changes made by the Methodist Conference) and reissued to each local church. Please ensure the Contact list for Emergency numbers is up to date and posted in your churches, it is dated April 2024 and just needs to have details added. If you do not have the updated version, please let Kim or Tim know.

Following Rev. Nicola Vidamour leaving to go to pastures new, no one took on the role of lead for WEP but Kim Weston lead at St Mary`s Woughton on the Green, has kept a contact with David Jones and has attended meetings and anything pertinent she has passed on, though keeping track of who are the church leads has been difficult. We urgently need to find a lay lead.

Tim May checked the documents of 3 people from WEP who renewed their DBS in 2024. These are valid for five years. Five people attended the Foundation Training run by the Methodist Circuit in 2024. One person from St. Mary`s completed the online Advanced Training but stressed how time consuming and in depth it was, and she fed her comments back to the course leaders. – David Jones the Methodist Circuit Safeguarding Lead – has continued to support us with both existing and new issues during the year and we are very grateful for his wisdom and experience. The Methodist Circuit holds a meeting for Safeguarding Leads once a quarter and these are a valuable forum for learning and sharing. Anyone is welcome to attend.

I would like to say that foundation courses run throughout the year and are available to anyone who feels they would benefit from the increased awareness that this would give them. Contact Kim if you would like your name to put forward.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s responsibility.

Kim Weston Safeguarding Lead at St. Mary`s

22

5. Financial Review:

5.1

Independent Examiner:

23

5.2 A statement of the principal financial policies including reserves:

1 Principal accounting policies

Trustees’ responsibility in relation to the financial statements

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Reserves policy

Only the general fund meets the Charity Commission’s definition for reserves, resulting in reported reserves of £25,902 at 31 December 2024. This is 70% of the reserves the policy would determine as prudent which is not less than three months’ of general fund expenditure (£37,034 based on 2024 expenditure). Sudden serious income shortfall is not seen as a major risk as the majority of the Partnership’s income is derived from a large number of donors as well as fees and premises lettings, none of which is individually significant. Although no single donor, on their own, is significant it should be noted there remains four Partnership couples who deliver over a fifth of total Partnership income.

1 Accounting policies

(a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102. In preparing the financial statements the Partnership follows best practice as set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” effective January 2015.

(b) Basis of consolidation

These financial statements consolidate the financial results of the various activities of Woughton Ecumenical Partnership on a line-by-line basis. Certain of these activities are not directly managed by the trustees but delegated to groups within the Partnership. These activities have been accounted for as branches and the financial results shown within separate designated funds.

(c) Incoming resources

Voluntary income is recognised when received. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Grants (including grants for the purchase of fixed assets) are recognised in full in the year in which they have been received. Each grant is disclosed within the category of income that is most appropriate to the activity it is intended to support.

Incoming resources from charitable activities is recognised when the activity giving rise to the income takes place.

Investment income is recognised on an accruals basis.

(d) Resources expended

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.

Grants & donations payable are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which the Partnership decides they should be made.

Accruals are made if the payment is not made until the following year. In all cases where such accruals have been made, either the details of the grant or donation have been communicated to the

24

beneficiary before the end of the year or the payment is the result of a specific appeal.

(e) Fund accounting

Charity law requires the net assets of the Partnership to be accounted for within a number of funds. The Partnership operates the following two types of funds.

Unrestricted general funds

These are funds that can be used in accordance with the Partnership’s charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

• General Fund

This is the fund through which the normal operating activities of the Partnership are recognised.

These are funds set aside by the trustees out of general funds for specific purposes or projects.

Currently the Partnership is designating a portion of the URC Manse letting income for the upkeep and maintenance of the property.

There are retained designations to cover repairs and maintenance for the Woolstone Chancel and WEP Property. There are also small balances on the Benevolent Fund, CVCC Mission and Ministry Fund.

The trustees have approved the delegation of day to day control to a number of Partnership groups who offer activities that the churches are not in a position to provide. The funds raised by the groups are retained and used to provide the services they offer. If the groups cease the funds return to the Partnership so are treated as designated.

The delegated groups currently operating are Adults, Babies and Children Group (ABC) who operate in Coffee Hall and the Larder Group who deliver support to the Fishermead community. The Youth Fund ceased operating during the lockdown but the funds have been retained with the aim of resuming a similar activity if volunteers become available.

Restricted Funds

These are funds that can only be used for specific purposes within the Partnership’s objects. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific projects or purposes.

These expendable funds are operated by the local church councils but overseen by the trustees or (where required by Church of England rules and mostly relating to building matters) the Parochial Church Council. The income and expenditure of these funds are shown in the Restricted Fund column of the financial statements.

There are a number of funds currently in operation in the Partnership with most operated by the churches.

Christ the Vine currently have three ongoing funds.

Gift Day: Donations made specifically for local investment, mission and support to Christian charities. There were no spends against this fund during 2024.

Building Fund: gifts and donations were received throughout 2024 in order to build the fund needed to pay for building issues as they arise or are identified by the church council. Architect drawings and radiator repairs were the spends during the financial year.

Legacy: the church received a legacy from a former member for church purposes during 2022.

Flood Relief: Following flooding in Coffee Hall a fund was set up to support those who would not have the ability to pay for the repair and recovery work. This is operated by the WEP trustees in partnership with the local Parish Council. There was no need to call on the fund during the financial year.

St Mary’s There are four ongoing funds and these are as follows:

Audio: The Audio Visual equipment was delivered and installed during 2023.

25

Clock: a donation was originally made for the repair or replacement of the tower clock mechanism. The original donors agreed that the funds remaining, following the mechanism installation, could be retained and used at the discretion of the Church Council. As well as the annual service repairs were needed on the clock during the year.

Fabric: The quinquennial report, a new bell tower hatch and roof tile repairs were charged to the fund. The congregation continue to donate for the upkeep of the main church building, tower and churchyard.

Lawnmower: the church council elected that the funds raised from the sale of the old lawnmower would be retained for the purchase of a replacement.

St Thomas’ started a building fund in 2015 for the purposes of fabric and churchyard restoration. The funds have been generated through fundraising events, grant applications and donations. It was originally created to acquire a new noticeboard and repair the paths. The fund is being utilized to pay for continuing inspections in order to identify the source of the subsidence. The Diocese has offered financial support but the church continues to raise funds via quizzes, concerts, donations and grant applications.

St Thomas’ legacy was received specifically for local projects but was not used during 2024.

Trinity received a gift, in 2016, to be used for local activities. The use is to be determined by the Church Council. There were no items charged against the fund in 2024.

The Baptist Association grant is still to be used. It is still intended to proceed with the project for the young people of Fishermead.

These are permanent funds. The income and expenditure of these funds is shown in the Endowments Fund column of the financial statements.

The Partnership currently has six separate permanent funds managed by CCLA. The income generated from these investments are allocated to the appropriate District in the Partnership in accordance with the Trust documents.

26

5.3 Banking and accounting arrangements: The Partnership operates a number of bank accounts all managed centrally. The accounts used and their closing 2024 balances are: CAF & cash £4,610 ( this balance includes cash on hand and the presented but uncleared items at the end of 2024) CAF Gold £52,356 (this balance also includes presented but uncleared items) Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church £77,861 CCLA £25,000

All the Partnership transactions were processed through these accounts or the petty cash floats held and operated by the Adults, Babies and Children Group. 5.4 General Unrestricted Fund outturn and budget: The Partnership ended 2024 with a General Fund surplus of £5,684. This is a £2k improvement on the outturn predicted in the budget, the second award of the internet café grant and fundraising activity generating significantly more funds than predicted. The favourable income movement was countered by a church quinquennial inspection, boiler maintenance and awards to various charities. The financial statements show the apportionment of ministry and overhead using the existing standing financial instruction. Applying this policy has meant three churches ended with a deficit. The initial 2025 General Fund Budget has been presented to the Material Resources Group. This predicts a £17.8k surplus returning accumulated reserves to greater than thirteen weeks. The group needs to give the figures further scrutiny before finalisation. 5.5 A Report of Fund Raising Activity:

In normal years the principle methods of raising funds are:

5.6 Investment Policies and Performance:

To invest the unused Partnership funds in secure interest-bearing deposit accounts. To hold these and the Partnership investments in secure and ethical funds in accordance with the Trust Deeds.

27

5.7 Notes to the 2024 Accounts

Partnership Unrestricted General Funds:

Incoming Resources

The Financial statements, in the Annual Report, only disclose the total of all funds operated by the Partnership for the prior year. Space does not allow for the separate reporting of the 2023 Unrestricted General Fund so the movements reported below cannot be extracted directly from the Financial Statements included in the Annual Report. The 2023 Unrestricted General Fund figures can be found in last year’s Annual Report or on request from the Partnership Treasurer who can be contacted by email at treasurer@woughton.org.

Tax Efficient Giving has declined by £4,203, collections qualifying for Small Donations have increased by £696. The combination of these movements has had a negative impact on the Gift Aid and Small Donations Scheme re-claims from HMRC falling by £650.

Appeals for projects and charities decreased from nineteen to fifteen events. Not only was there a reduction in the number of events they did not generate the same level of income as the prior year.

The second award of the Diocesan Tier-2 Funding for the digital deprivation project was received in the financial year delivering a £3,328 improvement over 2023.

iii. Other Trading Activity increased by £3,159. All components under this heading have improved. The breakdown of Other Trading Activity can be seen in Note 3. The church hall catch-up, improved returns from church events and increased generosity of visiting walkers delivered the favourable movement over the prior year.

iv. Investments decreased by £331 compared to the previous year. Despite the bank interest rates improving over the 2024 period the fall in retained general fund reserves negatively impacted the apportionment. Dividend income from the permanent endowments is collected under the Endowments heading. Where the trust deeds stipulate the income generated has been transferred to the General Fund and allocated to the church specified in each deed. This forms part of the ‘Transfers between funds’ figure.

ii. Charitable Activities have decreased by £10,963 between years. There have been several significant adverse and favourable movements under this heading. The breakdown of the activities can be seen under Notes 6a to 6d.

iii. Ministry and Related Staff Costs (Note 6 Sub Note (a)) have decreased by £16,904 compared to 2023. The departure of one of the stipendiary ministers in August delivered a reduction in LEP Share and Clergy Expenses. Although not reported here the transfer from the Ministry Fund supported the denominational share. The safeguarding sessions were lower than 2023 moving Training expenditure favourably by £300.

iv. Employed Staff costs (Note 6 Sub Note (b)) rose by £1,478 compared to the prior year. The Partnership follows the Living Wage Foundation announcements published in November each year. The announcement recommended an increase which is reflected in the

28

movement.

v. Premises and other resource costs (Note 6 Sub Note (c)) rose by £4,631 compared to 2023. Although Gas, Electric and Water tariffs stabilised in 2024 it delivered the bulk of the £3,189 increase in Premises running costs. There was no change in the share Woolstone paid towards centre utility costs but premises cleaning costs rose slightly from the previous year. Maintenance is £1,566 higher than the prior year. Again there were a number of movements within the headline figures. There were the normal annual service visits but there was the quinquennial and major boiler repairs at St Thomas’ and lights, fire alarm system and fence repairs at CVCC in 2024.

Parish Administration is up by £1,553 on the prior year. The purchase of a new photocopier and the architect fees for roof repair recommendations are the main reasons for the increased spend.

Upkeep of Services/Centre Hire; there were no spends beyond the normal licences and service elements. Holy Trinity did not present an Alpha course in 2024 delivering the favourable movement between years.

Insurance; rises in premiums delivered the £268 increase in insurance costs. The continued vacancy of the Church Hall adds to the volatility in premiums. Equipment & New Building Works is £3,016 lower than the previous year. There were no major purchases in 2024. Pastoral Care/Homeless; the purchase of the laptops for the digital deprivation project delivered the increased expenditure under this heading.

vi. Grants and donations payable (Note 6 Sub Note (d)) decreased by £168. The grants donated to good causes decreased by £1,746 compared to 2023 when the Digital Deprivation grant transferred to the Trinity Centre is removed. Although there was a similar number of events the amounts raised for good causes was lower than the prior year.

General Fund:

The General Fund performance, by District, can be seen in the first section of Note 10.

The 2024 budget was approved using Standing Financial Instruction 5 to distribute ministry and overheads to the churches. The budget predicted all five churches were in a position to contribute towards ministry and overheads so the standing instruction was fully applied to the districts in 2024.

Applying SFI5 has meant that three of the churches ended 2024 with deficits. This outcome is the result of a drop in income at one church and several urgent repairs arising during the year that the budget could not have predicted at the other two. Parish Central ended with a surplus of £5,771. The positive year end position of the Church Hall is the result of the catch up of the agreed charging arrangements.

The apportionment method adopted to distribute ministry and overheads across churches does not alter the overall General Fund outcome. The Partnership ended 2024 with a surplus of £5,684.

Partnership Groups and Designations:

The summary of Partnership Groups and Designations can be seen in the second section of Note 10 titled Designated funds.

ABC (Adults, Babies and Children Group) met throughout 2024. The outcome is a small surplus of £41.

For the period of a year Christ the Vine designated 25% of their regular Sunday plate offertory towards mission activities. In 2024 £263 was called from the fund. The fund attracted interest whilst it was on deposit of £17.

The Larder is operated at Trinity church. The Larder is a subscription scheme supervised by the SOFEA group who provide the banking facilities and the food. Some members, unable to join the Direct Debit scheme pay by cash. There are also supporters of the scheme paying regularly by standing order. The funds available assisted with the purchase of food and miscellaneous items during 2024.

Part of the income from letting the Manse has been set aside to meet the cost of the repairs and any remedial work that is identified. The fund was used to pay the landlord’s insurance premium and various repairs identified by the tenants during 2024.

29

Apart from the Mission Fund transfer to the General Fund there was no activity on the other designated funds except the apportionment of accrued interest in 2024.

Partnership Restricted Funds:

CVCC Building: The fund was initially started by an assignment of regular Sunday offertory. The fund is now operated via a dedicated church box through which donations are collected. There have been no purchases against the fund in 2024.

St Mary’s Audio Visual: the installation of the audio visual equipment was completed in 2023. A small balance remains to cover snags that may arise.

St Mary’s Fabric continues to receive regular gifts from supporters and, where appropriate, this is supplemented by the Gift Aid re-claim. The fund also receives money from a dedicated church box. The major spends against the fund were the quinquennial and bell tower hatch replacement.

St Mary’s Clock; as well as the annual maintenance the clock underwent repairs during the year.

St Mary’s Lawnmower: the church has elected to retain the money received from the sale of the old lawnmower and use this to purchase a new one. A replacement is still to be identified and bought.

St Thomas' Building; the transept underwent significant repairs during the year.

Apart from the accrued interest there was no activity on the other restricted funds with retained balances during 2023.

Investments:

CCLA Investment Management Limited, who administer the permanent trust funds the Partnership holds, appointed FNZ TA Services Limited (FNZ) in July 2023 to act as its transfer agent. The funds have been assigned new client and account numbers. They are as follows:

The Woughton-on-the-Green Church House: CB3011700-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was 901526). The annual income from investments is used for Woughton Parish charitable purposes.

The Woughton-on-the-Green Church – Levi Trust: CB3011676-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was 910581) is a fund applied in or towards an organist and tuning and minor repairs to the organ at St. Mary's Church, Woughton-on-the-Green.

Little Woolstones Church Hall (sold in 1984): CB3012071-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was 892591). The dividends are passed back to the Holy Trinity DCC to be used by the local church.

Simpson Church Hall (sold in 1973): CB3011979-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was 915131). The dividends are passed back to St Thomas’ DCC to be used by the local church.

The Woughton-on-the-Green Church Trust: CB3012137-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was 913391) is a fund received in respect of a Deed of Variation in 1992. The annual income from investments is to be used for the repair and upkeep of the fabric of St. Mary's Church, Woughton-onthe-Green.

Woughton-on-the-Green Church Trust: CO3064185-001 CCLA Investment Management Limited (was COIF - 906017). The dividends are passed back to the DCC of St. Mary's Church, Woughton-on-theGreen.

30

Woughton Ecumenical Partnership Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of Financial Artl¥itie$ 2024 Unrestricted funds Desi8nated fund5 Restricted fund5 Total funds Full Year funds Endowments 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Income and endowments from: Donations and le8￿leS Charitable activities Other trading activities Inve5tTnent Income 107,874 22.031 7,883 1,139 290 95 4.774 1,396 1,674 11,548 119,517 26,805 11.179 IIA43 406 143,949 26,797 6,219 9,861 1,278 3,460 116 5,170 Other Tot•1 Exp•ndStur• on: Raising lund5 Charitable activities Other 139.217 7.939 17.024 5,170 169,350 188,104 11.0921 1147,0441 11071 13,1131 1431 113,6091 11.2421 1165.6321 14,1301 1180,9051 11,8661 Total 1148.1361 13.2201 113.6521 11,8661 1166,8741 1185,0351 Net gainslllossesl on investments N•t in¢orn•/lexpenditurel Transfers between funds 4,254 4,254 15,967 18,9191 14.603 4,719 i 12.5001 3,372 7.SS8 12,1031 6.730 19.036 Net movement in funds 5.684 17,7811 3,372 5,455 6.730 19.036 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Tot•1 funds tarri•d fonvard 20,218 46,465 59,512 221,532 347,727 328,691 25,902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354A57 347,727 Balance Sheet 2024 Designated Restricted funds funds Unrestrirted funds Total funds Full Year funds 2023 Endowments 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 Fix*d assets: Investments 190,460 190,460 186,206 Total fixed assets I￿￿60 190,460 186.206 Current assets: Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 4,7 21,965 229 4,933 159,827 8,378 154,607 38,680 62.655 36,527 Total current a55ets 26.665 38,684 62,884 36,527 164.760 162.985 abilities: Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year 17631 17631 11,4641 N•t ¢urr•nt ass•ts or Il•bllltl•s 25,902 38,684 62,884 36,527 163,997 161,521 Total assets less current liabilities Net asset orliabilities excluding pension ossetorliobility 25.902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354A57 347.727 25,902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354,457 347,727 Total n•t assets or liabiliti•s Th• funds of th• ¢harlty: Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds 25,902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354A57 347,727 io 25,902 38,684 64.586 62.884 226,987 66,683 59,512 221,532 li 62,884 Endowment funds 12 226,987 Total unrestricted funds 25,902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354,457 347,727 Total ¢harlty funds 25,902 38,684 62,884 226,987 354A57 347,727 31

Notes Unrestricted funds 2024 Designated funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Full Year funds 2023 Endowments 2024 Note I: Donations and legacies Tax Efficient Giving Small Donations Gift Aid and Small Donation Re-claim Other Donations Appeals Grants 59,352 15,272 19,026 7,￿1 3,505 3,678 7.745 67,157 15,956 20,986 7,041 4,699 3,678 80,634 16,415 24,425 8,966 11,719 1,790 Is 1.945 20 1,174 Total Donatlons and logaci*s 107,874 95 11,548 119,517 143,949 Note 2: Charitable activities Funeral Fees Wedding Fees Building Hire 4,265 3,092 14,674 4.265 3,092 19,448 6,788 2,634 17,375 4,774 Total Charltable actl¥rties 22,031 4,774 26,805 26,797 Note 3: Other trading activrties Fundraising Sub5CriPtions General Sales 5,735 7,635 1,396 2,148 4,425 857 937 1.396 2,148 Total Other trading activrties 7.883 1,396 11,179 6,219 Note 4: Investments Bank Interest Investment Income from Endowments 1,139 1,674 6,273 4,768 5,170 5.170 5,093 Total Investment In¢ome 1,139 1,674 5,170 11,443 9,861 Note 5: Raising funds Fundraising Costs Advertisin8 & Promotion Grant Application & Professional Costs 17581 1841 12501 1431 18011 11911 12501 12,9431 11,0861 iioii 11071 Total Rai$lng funds 11,0921 11071 1431 11,2421 14,1301 Note 6: Charitable artivities lal Ministry and Related Staff Costs Denominational Charges Clergy Expenses Manse Running Expenses Training Staff Costs (Self Employedl 176,490) 13,9411 176,490} 13,9411 191,4391 15,5961 11,4001 17001 1400) 1221 12001 1622} 180,8311 1221 12001 181,0531 199,1351 Ibl Employed Staff Average number of part time staff 2024 2023 Salaries & wages Employer on Costs 116,3601 19921 115,1511 17231 117,3521 115,8741 32

Urbre5tricted funds 2024 Designated funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Full Year funds 2023 Endowments 2024 1¢) Pr•m1$￿ •nd oth•r r•sour¢• costs Premises running costs Maintenance Parish Administration Upkeep of Setvices/centre Hire Insurance 116.6141 16,6171 17,1441 13,3921 18,5311 13321 1871 11,8501 116.6141 116,8251 18,6931 13,5481 19,1031 13,4371 Isoli 14,2121 113,4251 15,5431 114,0751 14,0471 18,8251 113,8551 18381 18261 17701 19.4381 11561 15721 Equipment & New Building Wc junior Church, ABC & Youth Pastoral Ca￿/HoMeleSS 12.622 14831 14141 11.1791 11,1831 144,5671 13,0911 113.6091 11,6661 162,9331 161,4341 Idl Grants and donations payable Angel Tree Bucks Historic Churches Trust Bucks Vision MK Cancer Research Children's Society Christian Aid Devon Air Ambulance Healing Hands Network Little Princess Twst MK Bridgebuilder Trust MNDA National Animal WeWare Trust RNLI 13551 13551 13951 16271 12001 1201 12781 11001 iiooi iiooi 13571 11(K)I 13571 14881 17201 11461 17201 11461 12541 14401 13421 15741 1201 15741 1201 Salvation Amiy Soroptimist International St Mark's Meals Tear Fund Travi5 Cat Rescue 12961 15101 13001 1441 13(X)I 1441 1501 14621 Fishermead Trinity Centre Zimbab¥ve Housing Project 11,5781 11,5781 iiooi 14,2941 14,2941 14,4621 Total Charitabl• •¢ti¥iti 1147,0441 13.1131 113.6091 11,8661 1165.6321 1180,9051 Note 7: Investments Value December 2023 Value December 2024 Movement in Valuation Share Holdin8S Quantity WotG Church Hou5e19015261 WotG Levi Trust19105811 ttle Woolstones Church Hall18925911 Simpson Church Hall19151311 WotG Church Trust19133911 WotG Church Trust ICOIFI19060171 4,889 818 110.518 18,491 23,465 4,928 4,091 24.713 2,529 423 113,(H7 18,914 24,(K12 5,041 4,185 25,271 1,038 218 537 113 181 1.245 558 Total Investments 8,389 186,206 4,254 190,460 Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Total funds Full Year funds Endowments 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Note 8: Debtors Gift Aid tax recoverable 3,636 955 190 3,830 994 7,154 1,064 160 Small Donations recoverable Amounts fallin8 due within one year 39 109 109 4,700 229 4,933 8,378 33

Unrestricted funds 2024 Designated funds 2024 Restrirted funds 2024 Total funds 2024 Full Year funds 2023 Endowments 2024 Note 9: Creditors Amounts falling due ivithin one year Other (reditors (Weddings) 11231 16401 11231 16401 11,4641 17631 17631 11,4641 Note 10: Unrestrlcted funds Balance at Balance at Net 1st Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 31st Dec 2024 Movement Note loa: General funds WEP General Christ the Vine Holy Trinity St Mary's St Mary's Church Hall St Thornas Trinity Church Fishermead Parish Goneral Funds 24,466 13,4941 11,6961 110,6271 11,0851 1,631 11,023 20.218 10,612 13,675 2,750 52,821 2,148 27,073 30,138 139.217 1102,7111 113,0741 11,(XJ21 19,6161 11,9591 113,9071 15,8671 1148.1361 97,870 11,(M)21 12,2861 140,7871 30,237 13,8951 12,2341 18,2091 18961 11801 11,079 25,902 5,771 14011 15381 2,418 189 114,9771 124,2151 14,603 11,8111 56 5,684 Note lob: Designated fund$ Adults, Babies and Children Group Benevolent Fund CVCC Mission Larder Group Ministry Fund WEP Property URC Manse Woolstone Chancel Trust 1,136 82 455 14141 1,177 87 41 301 17 1,407 12631 11,2001 55 5,954 1,763 2,204 16,957 6,937 3,550 12461 207 5,747 14,263 2,204 12,804 6,567 3,361 112,5001 112,5(K>l 5,496 370 11,3431 4,153 370 Youth Fund 189 189 Pari$h D•$i8nat4d fund$ 46A65 7,939 13,2201 112,5001 38,684 17,7811 Parish G•n•ral & Designat•d funds WEP Suspense Accounts 66,683 147,156 1151,3561 19,432 2,103 64,586 12,0971 18241 1,464 8,608 640 Total Unrestricted funds 68.147 155,764 1160,7881 2,103 65,226 12,9211 Note 11: Restricted funds Christ the Vine.. Gift Dav Christ the Vine.. Building Christ the Vine: Legacy Coffee Hall.. Flix)d Relief St Mary's.. AV St Mary's.. Clock St Mary's.. Fabric St Mary's.. Lawnmower St Thomas,: Building St Thomas,: Legacv Trinity Church.. Projects Trinity Church.. Restricted 918 52 970 52 7,879 5,260 1,295 73 1,118 296 8,997 5,556 1,368 77 1,118 296 73 73 2,612 36,500 250 11,8851 5,293 1,058 259 147 11,4941 13,3171 1,265 42,608 264 15,2041 5,591 1,118 274 11,3471 6,108 14 13,3191 298 9,425 14 5,522 298 18,8411 15 15 59.512 17.024 113,6521 62,884 3,372 34

Note 12: Investments Balance at 1st lan 2024 Dividends Received Dividends Distributed Balance at 31st Dec 2024 Net Movement Expenditure Quantity Woughton-on-the-Green IWotGI Church Hous WotG Levi Trust19105811 Little Woolstones Church Hall18925911 Simpson Church Hall19151311 WotG Church Trust19133911 WotG Church Trust ICOIFI19060171 35,326 3,(￿7 513 11,8661 36,527 1,201 15131 16511 11371 11141 16881 651 137 114 Dividend Income retained 35,326 5,170 11,8661 12,1031 36,527 1,201 Investment Capital Value Movement in Valuation 186,206 4,254 190,460 4,254 221.532 9.424 11,8661 12,1031 226,987 5,455 The Wou8hton-on-th￿Greerb Church House annual income from investments is used for the general artivities of the Woughton Parish The Dividends Received frown Little Wodstones Church Hall and Simpson Church Hall investment5 are passed back to the respective DCCS to be used by the local churches. The Woughton-on-thtrGreen Church Trust is a local charity and the annual income from investments is to be used for the repair and upkeep of the fabric of St. Mary's Church, Woughton-on-the-Green. The funds are managed by CCLA on behalf of the Parish. 35

2024 Statement of cash flows

2024 Statement of cash flows
Current Year Prior year
Total funds Total funds
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (6,223) (9,853)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 11,443 9,861
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of investments 0 0
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 11,443 9,861
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 5,220 8
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period 154,607 154,599
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate
movements 0 0
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting
period 159,827 154,607
2024 Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from
operating activities
Current Year Prior Year
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per
the statement of financial activities) 6,730 19,036
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 0 0
(Gains)/losses on investments (4,254) (15,967)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments (11,443) (9,861)
Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets 0 0
(Increase)/decrease in stocks 0 0
(Increase)/decrease in debtors 3,445 (2,921)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors (701) (140)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (6,223) (9,853)
2024 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Current Year Prior Year
£ £
Cash in hand at close of year 159,827 154,607
Notice deposits (less than 3 months) 0 0
Overdraft facility repayable on demand 0 0
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting
period 159,827 154,607
Appendix 1

36

WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024) numbers shaded)

WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded)

WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded) WEP ADULT MEMBERSHIP ROLL 2025 (2024 numbers shaded)
Church Anglican Baptist Methodist URC Ecumenical Other Totals
Christ the Vine 12 9 1 0 0 6 28
9 2 4 2 5 6 28
St Thomas' 33 1 4 4 1 0 43
26 0 2 1 3 0 32
St Mary's 47 2 3 4 0 8 64
47 2 3 4 0 12 68
Trinity 8 5 5 0 3 13 34
7 5 5 0 2 13 32
Woolstone 7 2 0 0 0 0 9
6 3 0 0 0 1 10
Totals for 2025 104 12 16 10 9 27 178
Totals By Year Anglican Baptist Methodist URC Ecumenical Other WEP
Total
2025 104 12 16 10 9 27 178
2024 95 12 14 7 10 32 170
2023 95 12 17 8 16 41 189
2022 98 13 21 10 18 43 203
2021 100 13 21 10 18 41 203
2020 99 14 25 6 26 42 211
2019 99 13 20 7 30 47 216
2018 91 15 15? 5 30 39 194
2017 85 14 18 5 28 31 181
2016 86 20 19 7 29 28 189
2015 99 19 20 7 26 31 202
2014 92 16 25 5 27 28 193
2013 91 15 29 2 24 33 194
2012 99 14 25 3 27 32 200

37

Appendix 2

Appointments at Partnership Level 2024-25

Trustees of Woughton Ecumenical Partnership

and Woughton PCC Members 2024-25

Representing WEP Trustee WEP + PCC PCC Member
Christ the Vine
Community Church		 David Hart Mandy Heart
Woolstone Church Pamela Pow John Howard
St Mary’s Church Geoffrey Miller Di Miller Jean Mattinsley
St Thomas’ Church Lynn Castle
Iola Samuels
Trinity Church Marilyn Mahon Don Mahon
Team ex officio, other
ex officio,
co-opted		 Revd. Paul Norris
Revd. Ian Herbert
Revd. Charmaine Howard

Deanery Synod Representative Di Miller, Kim Weston

Church Wardens

Christ the Vine Community Church

Woolstone Church John Howard St Thomas’ Church Iola Samuels St Mary’s Church

Methodist Circuit

Lynn Castle; Marilyn Mahon

Netherfield Partnership corporate member Ian Herbert Trustee of Trinity Centre Don Mahon

38