2021-08-31-accounts

Hatfield Road Methodist Church

Serving Christ and the Local Community

Annual Report 2021/2022

The Methodist Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans is part of the St Albans and Welwyn Methodist Circuit in the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District of the Methodist Church in Britain.

The Calling of The Methodist Church in Britain is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

It does this through:

WORSHIP

By increasing awareness of God's presence and celebrating God's love

LEARNING & CARING

By helping people grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care

SERVICE

By being a good neighbour to people in need and challenging injustice

EVANGELISM

By making more followers of Jesus Christ

If you would like a larger print version of this Annual Report, please contact the Minister or one of the Church Stewards

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CONTENTS	CONTRIBUTOR
Our Minister’s Message	Rev’d Andrew Prout
Church Stewards’ Report	Denise Willingham
Church Council Report	Rev’d Andrew Prout, Angela Spriggs
Safeguarding	Joanna Rose
Property and Finance Committee	Sue Davey, Eric Bridgstock
Church Treasurer's Report	Eric Bridgstock
Aldersgate Café	Christine Ford
Anna Chaplain	Maggie Dodd
Babies & Toddlers	Emma Williams
Childrens and Families Worker’s Report	Emma Williams
Christian Aid	Anne Wall
Cradle Roll (Baptismal Roll)	Adelita Serwaa-Bonsu
Day Care Group	Sue Davey
Growmore Ramblers	Denise Willingham
House Groups	Johanna Mason
Junior Mission for All (JMA)	Ruth Wallace
Music Group	Joanna Rose
Pastoral Team	Gina Woodhead
Prayer Ministry	Roy Vivian
Sunday Club and Youth Fellowship	Emma Williams

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OUR MINISTER’S MESSAGE

I find myself writing this report just ahead of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke we are reminded of how Jesus entered Jerusalem as an announcer and an ambassador of God’s kingdom of justice and peace. This was in sharp contrast to the authoritarian rule of Rome and the practices of some of the civic and religious rulers in the city. These leaders seemed to have forgotten they were in the service of God and the people, and not themselves. Luke movingly records how Jesus wept as he approached the city. Such a vivid image draws us into events in Ukraine. How Jesus must equally weep today for the suffering and devastation inflicted on and within other cities all the result of an unjust war. I am

minded how Jesus called Herod a fox and have no doubt such a description is suitable today for Vladimir Putin. The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Army on February 24th 2022 came on the back of two years when the world and the Church has had to respond to the global pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus. Alongside this we all followed intently the COP26 Summit held in Glasgow last November as leaders and representatives of governments from around the world met to discuss the next steps in addressing what is now widely accepted to be a climate emergency. The Church and Jesus’ message of a kingdom where peace and justice reign alongside the pursuit of the common good is needed more than ever. Let us be inspired by the change wrought by one man entering Jerusalem on a humble donkey accompanied by a small band long ago. The kingdom of God indeed is like a small seed planted in the ground. Jesus reminds us we should never underestimate what can be done and how things can be turned around.

The last twelve months have witnessed the Church continue to adapt in order to retain and move forward in its work and mission against the backdrop of the pandemic. Services in person have returned allowing us recently, and with great rejoicing, to gather together on the premises for Holy Week and Easter for the first time in three years. Throughout we have continued to live-stream our main service every Sunday mindful of those not able to attend but also beginning to see how this could become a developing area of mission. At the end of April last year we welcomed Maggie Dodd in her appointment as an Anna Chaplain for St. Albans based at Hatfield Road and Marlborough Road Methodist Churches. Maggie’s work with those in later years has complemented Emma’s work as a Children and Families Worker across both Churches. In October whilst I was on Sabbatical we launched our monthly ‘Create & Celebrate’ whereby on the first Sunday of every month opportunity is offered to all ages to engage in craft and conversation before a shared time of worship.

Our work with Marlborough Road Methodist Church will be further cemented in September when changes in the Circuit will see the formation of a new St. Albans Section. The section will include the ‘Cornerstone Project’ in Salisbury Village. I will be relinquishing my oversight of Shenley Methodist Church and Radlett United Free Church to head this new section. The change coincides with the retirement of Rev Rosemary Fletcher and the departure from the Circuit of Rev Bruce Anderson, Rev Ali Facey and Deacon Linda Kinchenton. We wish them all well with especial gratitude to Rosemary for all she has undertaken as Superintendent over the last ten years. We look forward in September to welcoming Rev David Jebb who will succeed Rosemary as Superintendent and oversee the new Hertsmere section, Rev Rosemary Mutopo who will succeed Bruce in the Welwyn/ Hatfield section, and Deacon Nigel Perrott who will be working alongside me in the St. Albans Section whilst overseeing the Cornerstone Project and supporting some of the work at Ludwick Way.

We find ourselves therefore both looking back and looking forward. Never far from our thoughts are those who have died. We continue to remember all whose place is now with the saints and to uphold them and each other, and each of their loved ones and families in our thoughts and prayers. We especially remember Helen Harris who died in November and most recently Eileen Holt. We have given our good wishes to Betty Burdett on her move to be nearer family in Cheshire and been pleased to welcome by transfer into membership of the Church Hugo Gomes and Ivy Tavershima with their young family, and Pat Maziane.

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These remain times of change as we further emerge from the pandemic thankful for the roll out of the vaccine and other advances in treatment that give a greater degree of confidence and security. Some of our activities have resumed although not all, among them the Wednesday Network Meeting. However we have, with Maggie’s support, been able to launch a Mid-Week Service on a Wednesday Afternoon every fortnight mindful especially of those in later years or who are unable to easily attend Church on a Sunday. In all things we endeavour to remain true to our mission of ‘Serving Christ and the Local Community’.

I record my thanks to everyone for their support and hard effort over this past year, not least when I was on my Sabbatical between September and November. I wish to especially thank Denise Willingham who will be stepping down as the Senior Church Steward at the end of June. Denise has had to undertake more than she could have ever imagined not least because of the demands caused by the pandemic. And to thank Angela Spriggs who will be stepping down as Church Council Secretary in September after three years. I invite you to find strength and encouragement in the reading and digesting of this annual report. The various reports show in different ways not only how we seek to continue to fulfil our calling but also to touch the lives of people with the love and grace of God, in the Church, in the community and around the world. Times may not be easy. They were not easy for Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. But with Him we are invited to see the bigger picture, of a lasting kingdom that will emerge victorious, a kingdom where faith, hope and love abide, justice flows like a river and peace like a never ending stream.

Ride on, ride on in majesty! Hark all the tribes ‘Hosanna’ cry; Your humble beast pursues its road With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Together with Christ we journey forth as brothers and sisters on the same road. In doing so it my great privilege to serve you and to be alongside you as your minister.

Yours in Christ

Rev Andrew Prout, Minister with Pastoral Charge

CHURCH STEWARDS' REPORT

Two years on from the start of the Covid pandemic the world has been gradually returning to something nearer normal. This has also been reflected in the life of the church. The Church Stewards have continued to meet regularly each month with Andrew by Zoom. This has enabled us to respond flexibly to both the needs of the church and to the ever changing Covid regulations. Since Easter 2021 it has been possible to maintain a regular pattern of weekly worship and it has been a joy to see more and more people attending live worship once again. The various church teams have ensured that this has been done in ways to keep folk safe, including those who are more vulnerable. In this regard particular thanks are also due to the Worship Consultation team, the Music Group, the Covid Group and the Property Committee. The stewards have been greatly helped on Sundays by the Sunday Assistants. The Pastoral Team has provided unstinting support throughout the year. Sunday Club, Babies and Toddlers, Friday Day Care and the Aldersgate Café have all been able to continue throughout the last year.

A new pattern of worship was introduced in October which includes Create and Celebrate on the first Sunday of the month. The C&C services are now well established and are proving very popular, particularly with young families, but also with folk of all ages. They afford an enjoyable and more informal way both to meet and share fellowship as well as worship. Thanks are due to the team who meet regularly under the guidance of Emma Williams (our Children and Families Worker) to plan and deliver these. Evening services have resumed for Lent with an excellent series of reflections on the psalms. Fortnightly services led by our Anna Chaplain, Maggie Dodd, on Wednesday afternoons are also now well established and are much appreciated. A full programme of both Christmas and Easter services has been possible once again. A united service was held on the Sunday after Christmas with MRMC. Our thanks are due to Joanna Rose, Mike Sheehan and the Music Group for their regular input in all our services. The church is also deeply indebted to Chris Hancock

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who has devoted much time and his considerable gifts to developing all the many aspects of online worship. Recording of music and live streaming have enabled those at home, both near and far, to participate in worship.

There are regular, bimonthly, joint meetings of HRMC and MRMC stewards. The latter is enabling the two churches to draw closer together in fellowship and mission. This is has been greatly aided by the work across the two churches by the two lay workers, Emma Williams and Maggie Dodd. Holiday@ Home was able to take place again after a gap of two years. Careful planning and great team work, involving volunteers from both churches, enabled all the guests to have a very enjoyable time. Activities included table top games and crafts, some excellent quizzes and musical entertainment provided by Katie’s Jumping Fleas (a local ukulele band) and the HRMC Music Group. As always there was lots of delicious food! In the October half term a very successful Holiday Club for children aged 5-12 was held at HRMC. Organised by Emma Williams, this also involved volunteers from both Methodist churches. Holiday@Home and Holiday Club will both be run again in the coming year. Ways of dovetailing our patterns of worship are being established. This is of particular importance as from August there will be one minister in St Albans covering HRMC and MRMC. It is also planned to have a joint communications team working together across both churches.

My thanks once again to the church stewards for all their hard work behind the scenes. In particular we wish Joe well as he and Linda move to take up a new appointment.

Denise Willingham, Senior Church Steward

CHURCH COUNCIL

The duties of the Church Council are to act together and in person and not delegate control to others; act strictly in accordance with our governing documents; act only in the church's interests; manage the church's affairs prudently and take a long term as well as a short-term view; not derive any personal benefit or gain for the trustees; take professional advice on matters in which they are not themselves competent.

The Church Council is responsible for the affairs of our church and usually meets three times a year. Members, who may normally serve for up to 6 years, are appointed ex officio (e.g. the Minister and Church Stewards), elected by the annual Church General Meeting, or appointed by the Council itself to ensure that all areas of the church’s life are adequately represented.

Church Council meetings are open to any church member but only Church Council members may vote. Non Council members may speak with the permission of the meeting and, if they wish to do this, should speak to the Minister or Church Council Secretary in advance.

Hatfield Road Methodist Church is a Registered Charity (Registration No. 1173147). Registration with the Charity Commission was completed in 2017 after the Church’s income in the previous year rose above the threshold set by the Commissioners which would have allowed ‘excepted’ status. By the Charities Act 2006 charities including churches are accountable to the public for the resources they control.

Since the last AGM in June 2021 Hatfield Road Methodist Church Council has met four times. It met for normal Church Council business on 30[th] June 2021, 8[th] November 2021, and 15[th] March 2022. On 16[th] February 2022 it held a joint Church Council meeting with Marlborough Road Methodist Church, its sister Church in St Albans, to discuss and vote on the registration of each Church for same sex marriage. The 8[th] November meeting fell during Rev Andrew Prout’s sabbatical and was chaired by the Superintendent Minister, the Rev Rosemary Fletcher in his absence. After over 18 months of meetings held on Zoom during the COVID crisis the Church Council was relieved to resume face to face meetings from November, taking appropriate COVID secure measures.

Rev Andrew Prout; Angela Spriggs, Church Council Secretary

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SAFEGUARDING

The past year has seen an opening up of events for our children, young people and vulnerable adults, and we maintain a safeguarding policy which ensures that those who can work with them are subject to appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and undertake the Methodist Church’s Creating Safer Spaces training, with a refresher course every four years. All those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church should be able to identify signs of various types of abuse, know how to react, and who to inform of any concerns they may have. We do all we can to create a safe space for everyone within Hatfield Road Methodist Church and for those with whom we have contact virtually, either online or by phone.

No alcohol is allowed on the premises. The Methodist Church has a policy not to do so.

Joanna Rose, Safeguarding Officer

PROPERTY & FINANCE COMMITTEE: PROPERTY

The general upkeep of our premises has continued throughout the year. The layout, cleaning and use of the church building have continued to evolve in line with COVID guidance and our own risk assessment.

The sanctuary radiators and main boiler were replaced in May 2021, providing quieter, reliable and more efficient heating of much of the church.

The refurbishment of the Wesley Room was completed, with the fitting of new curtains and track.

The Fire Alarm system has been serviced (first time for several years) and the call points replaced with ones that can easily be tested. The Fire Door next to New Room (or Prayer Room) was replaced. Our own fire risk assessment identified the need to create and maintain a log of all fire-related activities (servicing, tests, faults, drills, etc) and the need to raise awareness – such as a “what to do in event of fire/alarm” announcement as part of Steward’s introduction, say, once a month.

We were successful in bidding for a Herts County Council grant for a Defibrillator, which was fitted and installed in early April.

Acoustic panels are being fitted to the ceiling of the Large Hall in early May, creating a better ambience for activities and events.

The perimeter wall was repaired (several loose/missing bricks, pointing, etc). Paving slabs have been installed by the gardening team, including under the main external notice board, making it easier and cleaner to maintain the display.

The outside and Foyer lights have been replaced by low energy units.

Each toilet is now twinned with one in Uganda, Nigeria or Zambia.

We are engaging with the owner of the neighbouring property (135A) regarding our ownership of a triangular strip of land at the east-side boundary of the church (recorded erroneously by the Land Registry).

The PROD (Property Review & Oversight of Development) group reconvened in September, while Andrew was on sabbatical, and met with an architect in November and again in February. Its current focus is the Small Hall, to make it a more attractive, usable and accessible space. A briefing paper has been generated, for engagement with builders.

Finally, grateful thanks to those who:

• undertake the cleaning of our church premises

• tend the gardens

• maintain and repair the buildings and fixtures

Sue Davey, Secretary; Eric Bridgstock, Chair (April 2022)

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CHURCH TREASURER'S REPORT

The 2020-21 Accounts were examined by an Independent Examiner, John Robinson, and were fully signed off on 30 March 2022.

Giving remains healthy, and there was a heart-warming response to the Tonga disaster appeal.

The pandemic has continued to nullify most income from church groups and activities (such as Babies & Toddlers and the Aldersgate Café) and from external lettings, but the energy bills have also been lower due to reduced heating and a more efficient boiler.

The energy crisis, with alarming cost projections coupled with our current energy plans expiring, has led to a change of Gas and Electricity suppliers and new one-year contracts, with tariffs considerably higher than the existing ones. Our credit with BIFFA, resulting from them charging monthly rental for our own bin for about eight years, finally expired after a year – the “payment holiday” was welcome!

Building insurance was renewed with a lower premium than last year, through electing to increase our excess from £50 to £500. The interest rate on our Deposit Account (with Methodist Central Finance Board – CFB) had fallen to 0.01% but was raised in January, February and March of this year and is currently 0.25%. It was 0.72% before the March 2020 lockdown and we were earning about £100 a month interest; interest is now about £17 each month.

The Lay Workers project remains in good financial health. All lump-sum pledges have been received, and an average of £200 a month continues to be received through pledged standing orders. In January, £500 was received from St Paul’s Church for the Anna Chaplaincy. The District has confirmed that their next £10,000 Anna grant will be paid in April.

Eric Bridgstock Church Treasurer (March 2022)

See finance summary on next page.

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HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST CHURCH - FINANCE SUMMARY, SECOND QUARTER Sept 2021 - Feb 2022

2020/21 ACTUALS Full Year

2021/22 BUDGET agreed by CC 8 Nov 2021

	2021/22 ACTUALS Q2	2021/22 ACTUALS Q2
		ACTUALS 2020-21		BUDGET		2021-22	ACTUALS 2021-22	Proportion
		1/9/20	- 31/8/21	1/9/21	- 31/8/22		1/9/21 - 28/2/22	of budget	Comment
	RECEIPTS
	Collections		£61,209			£60,000	£30,768	51%
	Gift Aid		£12,293			£14,000	£0	0%	Expected in Q3
	Interest & Endowment		£261			£20	£34	170%	Since 1 Sep, CFB interest rate has risen from
	Income								0.01% to 0.25%
	Lettings		£1,301			£2,000	£1,558	78%	includes £1000 for Circuit Office
	Donations for Church		£3,494			£3,000	£1,804	60%	includes £1200 grant from Herts CC for
									Defibrillator
	Sunday Coffee		£0			£200	£4	2%
	Café		£0			£1,000	£202	20%
	Babies & Toddlers (Net		£0			£1,000	£153	15%	Costs incurred at restart, not expected to
	of costs)								continue
	Sundry		£1,149			£1,000	£344	34%
	Lay Workers		£50,456			£13,500	£10,227	76%	includes the final (and significant) Lump Sum
									pledge
		TOTAL	£130,163			£95,720	£45,094	47%	42% if Lay Workers discounted
	PAYMENTS
	Circuit Assessment		£52,800			£52,800	£26,400	50%
	Repairs & Renewals		£36,343			£40,000	£1,159	3%	LH acoustics (£11.6k) in Q3, plus SH refurb
									planned.
	Gas	£2,220		£3,000			£863	29%
	Electricity	£988		£1,400			£657	47%
	Water Rates	£80		£100			£97	97%
	Utilities		£3,288			£4,500	£1,617	36%
	Insurance		£2,585			£2,700	£2,374	88%	increased excess, reduced premium
	Cleaning & supplies		£152			£500	£122	24%	most COVID related supplies donated
	Staff costs (not Lay		£2,324			£2,145	£1,072	50%
	Workers)
	Licences and		£683			£700	£532	76%	CCLI paid; One License in Q3
	Subscriptions
	Biffa Waste Disposal		£500			£1,500	£0	0%	Still in credit from being charged for own bin
									since 2013
	Youth/Sunday	Club	£568			£500	£115	23%
	Stationery/copying		£106			£100	£180	180%
	(net)
	Bible notes (net)		-£38			-£40	-£227	568%	Subs exceed costs
	Organists & Music		£0			£100	£0	0%
	Donations		£0			£500	£300	60%	Toilet Twinning
	Benevolence Fund		£81			£250	£0	0%
	Equipment & Furniture		£918			£2,000	£1,200	60%	Defibrillator (see Herts CC Grant above)
	Sundry		£666			£700	£573	82%
	Catering (offset with		£50			£250	£0	0%
	Coffee)
	Evangelism & Outreach		£59			£500	£39	8%
	Lay Workers		£36,697			£35,000	£32,252	92%	Half recoverable from MRMC
		TOTAL	£137,782			£144,705	£67,708	47%	Distorted by Lay Workers - 32% if LW
									discounted
		SURPLUS	-£7,619			-£48,985	-£22,614	46%	£589 loss if LW discounted
	COVID continues to impact figures

Income lost from Lettings, Café, Babies & Toddlers, Cash Collection. Giving (Offering) healthy.

Expenditure will be incurred from Large Hall (acoustics) and works to the Small Hall.

Lay Worker project in good shape.

Monthly expenditure has averaged £11,285 over the period, amounting to £94 per member per month (120 members).

The bank balances held at 28/2/2022 were £188,191. This includes £78,456 Restricted (Bequests and Gifts), and £59,277 ring-fenced for the Lay Workers project.

The Church's reserves policy is to hold a sum equal to 6 months' expenditure, which was £68,891 in Methodist Year 20-21.

The balance held at 28/2/2022 for chosen charities (none currently chosen) is £0 (plus £589 for a Gambian charity from 2015-16 World Missions collection). Since September, £2,548 has been raised and passed on to All We Can, Salvation Army, World Mission, and Open Door

Eric Bridgstock, Treasurer 22 Mar 2022

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ALDERSGATE CAFÉ

In March 2021 our wonderful team of cake bakers resumed deliveries of Café2U, delivering cakes and keeping in touch with some of our customers. They continued to provide this much appreciated service until September 2021.

In October we were able to re-open the Aldersgate Café, with a few adjustments, to make things as COVID secure as possible. It was good to be back. Unfortunately, by mid-December the situation with the COVID virus had deteriorated and the Café had to close once again.

For various reasons we no longer have enough volunteers to open the Café on a weekly basis. However we plan to re-open on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing on the 3rd May 2022.

We look forward to welcoming our customers back and look forward to seeing you there.

Once again thank you to all our volunteers, those serving customers, setting up and tidying away and those who bake the cakes. New volunteers would be very welcome.

This April will be the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Aldersgate Café. We value your prayers and support. Do come along and enjoy the Café.

Christine Ford, Aldersgate Café Coordinator

ANNA CHAPLAIN

It’s been an interesting and rewarding time since I started the role as Anna Chaplain on 26th April 2021.

Initially I tried to get to know members of both churches by organising Afternoon Teas – in the end 17 were held and I met more than 80 people at the various parties. Good connections were made and have endured from these initial meetings.

I also met and engaged with churches across St Albans when I began my role. After I met with Rev Peter Crumpler of St Paul’s he facilitated a Herts Ad article I wrote and the interview with BBC Three Counties radio. I’ve recently written a second article for the Herts Ad and have another one lined up for the summer.

Both HRMC and MRMC successfully hosted Holiday at Home during the summer which I helped with. It was a great experience and encouraged people to get involved with church again as we emerged from Covid restrictions.

In the summer I contacted various ministers and clergy with a questionnaire asking about older people’s ministry and whether older church members were returning to church activities. This culminated in a booklet being produced in October, which details the different weekday offerings churches across the city offer older people. I distributed around 1000 copies to churches, homes, and public buildings across St Albans.

I attended the Older People’s Roadshow in the Civic Centre in October, and was able to meet various reps from Age UK, Communities 1st, Age Concern, Herts Help etc, and handed out my booklet and spoke to the public. I also have regular Zoom meetings with stakeholders in Older People’s Care, so am in the loop when they meet regularly to hear updates from people.

I am involved with Friday Day Care at Hatfield Road providing transport for guests, and sometimes activities in the afternoons.

I regularly attend the Anna Chaplaincy Network Gatherings on Zoom. This is always very worthwhile and I hear from and shared with other ACs in the Network. I continue to spread the word about AC in St Albans and further afield. In September I hosted a Zoom Café for St Albans Diocese about Older People’s Ministry, working with their Flourishing Churches Team.

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In February 2022 I gave a reflection at the Cathedral’s Free Church Service, and gave a talk later in the month at a Hemel Hempstead’s Churches Together meeting. In March I gave a reflection at St Luke’s church Sunday service and introduced members of The Gathering at St Mark’s church in Colney Heath to Anna Chaplaincy.

I have started a weekly Coffee Morning at St Stephen’s after a Said Communion service on a Wednesday morning, which has encouraged that small congregation to stay and chat with one another, hoping to grow this and have the occasional speaker or themed event, and I have initiated a Crafting Moring at St Julian’s which now runs itself with a monthly larger gathering which I help to organise. This encourages a mixed attendance, ages range from 35 to over 70.

Worship in Care Homes restarted later in 2021 and I am now working alongside Sandridge’s new Vicar, Rev’d Wendy Sellers, helping lead worship at Tara’s Retreat. I also recently started to go in with another Lay Leader of Worship from St Julian’s church, into Vesta Lodge every month for a service of Holy Communion.

I support services at local retirement flat complexes and with Christine Hucker’s help we have started a regular Communion service at Eleanor House on London Road. The service takes place monthly and we share the service rota with Canon Margaret Tinsley from St Peter’s.

In December the Sending Love to Care Homes star project reached 587 residents in the 12 residential Care Homes across St Albans. I was amazed by the wonderful response from both church communities and St Albans residents, young and old, who wanted to create a star and send some love. Twelve churches of different denominations got in touch to help, Rainbows and Brownies across the city took part, Sandringham School KS3 Art Club, Sandridge Primary School, Knit and knitter groups, local crafts people, so many people came forward to help that I have been able to reach the target number with a few to spare. Not only did the little stars bring a lot of joy to those who received them, the project also helped me to engage with some of the care homes I’ve not had contact with so I hope to build on those connections over the coming months.

Afternoon Worship sessions have been running since September 2021 at both MRMC and HRMC. Both services regularly have over 10 people attending, some of the congregation can’t manage Sunday services but enjoy the shorter and more informal style of the afternoon worship. I hope as these become more established to advertise the services more widely.

Since December 2021 I’ve taken Communion to the housebound from HRMC and MRMC. There’s also been an opportunity to gather a couple of households together for the Home Communion which has been very rewarding, enabling both fellowship and sharing of the sacrament. I regularly visit older people in their homes who have contacted me via booklets or local info, who value a visit and a chat. I have at least five people I visit every couple of weeks, this number is slowly growing.

I’ve very much enjoyed my first year as Anna Chaplain supported by the HRMC and MRMC communities and hope to create and sustain new connections and growth in the coming year.

Maggie Dodd, Anna Chaplain

BABIES AND TODDLERS

Towards the end of September, we were delighted to be able to reopen our Babies and Toddlers group for the first time since the first lockdown in March 2020. I don’t know who was more excited, the volunteers, children or the parents/carers. Of course, the reopening brought some changes, both in format and in staffing.

I took on the role as leader which has mainly involved managing bookings and ensuring we have necessary materials for the session. I am very grateful to Freda and Gina who have continued to help as well as provide me with guidance as we have restarted.

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It goes without saying that we have missed the familiar faces who have stepped down or tragically passed away since March 2020 but we were also grateful that Mary Gotts has continued to work behind the scenes and alongside Margaret Quinn has been organising the crafts for each week. We are also very grateful to Joe Quinn and Joe Kinchenton who come down to the church on Tuesday afternoons to help us set up for the sessions and then return on Wednesday morning to help clear away afterwards. Margaret Livesey has also been a great help as she comes to help us clean up after each session.

Pip Davies joined our team early this year and along with Linda Daldry, Brenda Quick, Patsy Spaven, and Carolyn Moody. They have continued to contribute to the welcoming atmosphere of the group and although Louise Bourton stepped down from leading the group she has still been willing to come and help us out every so often.

As we acknowledge that Covid has not gone away we did have to adapt how we did things to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. This has included capping our numbers each week to around 30 and introducing an online booking system. These however did not deter people from coming back and new people wanting to come along. Each week we have been booked up and had many on our waiting list. Parents and carers have commented how much they enjoy coming along to our group and how they enjoy the welcoming and community atmosphere which is sometimes lacking at other groups.

We did have to postpone reopening the group after Christmas but were able to restart after February half term.

We continue to conclude each session with a story and song time but we have also introduced a mini service once a month. This takes a similar format to our story and song time but our story is usually from the Bible or we explore a theme from the Bible (love, thanksgiving, etc). We sing some songs, some of which are the classic Sunday school choruses and then we finish by doing a craft which reinforces the message of the story.

We are still in need of more help with the group, particularly people who can help us set up on a Tuesday afternoon and clear away on a Wednesday morning. It would also be great to have more people who are willing to talk with the parents/carers during the session.

Please talk to Andrew, Freda Gray, Gina Woodhead or myself if you would like to be involved.

Emma Williams, Babies and Toddlers Coordinator

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WORKER’S REPORT

During the summer holidays I organised a few garden gatherings with the intention of providing an opportunity for families to come together, perhaps for the first time since the pandemic began. I was also able to visit all our families in November which was a great opportunity to catch up with a few people we hadn’t seen in a while as well as delivering some Advent calendars which were gratefully received.

In September we were able to restart our Sunday Club sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Further information about this is given in the Sunday Club and Youth Fellowship report. Throughout the year I have also continued to meet with the young people who are at University. I meet with the students once a month over zoom. During our time together, we spend time catching up on what has been going on in the previous week, talk about anything we have coming up and share areas for which we would appreciate prayer. This has been a great way to support our young people in this next phase of their life while also maintaining links with them.

As well as our Sunday groups restarting in September, we were thrilled to be able to restart our Babies and Toddlers group after 18 months. You can read more about our group in the Babies and Toddlers report.

At the beginning of October, we launched a new model of All Age Worship with our Create and Celebrate services. This is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to come together in the hall to create, build,

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play and reflect in a number of different ways all while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere and a cup of tea/coffee. This time is then brought together with a short service. It has been so encouraging to see this time bring people together and encourage new families to come along.

During the October half term, we joined with Marlborough Road to host a Holiday Club for those in school years 1-6. It was a week filled with fun and activities. See the Holiday Club report for full details.

As can be expected, Advent and Christmas brought a period of busy-ness but also some great opportunities to share the Christmas story as well as the hope and light brought by the infant Jesus. At the beginning of December, I was invited to lead the Nativity service. This which was one of our Create and Celebrate services which we concluded with a short sketch of improv interviewing of some of the key characters. I was also able to lead the Christingle service at Marlborough Road and we were delighted to be able to have our Christingle service at Hatfield Road in person once again.

Following on from the links I made with St Peter’s Primary and Oakwood Primary last year, I have been able to go into the schools to lead assemblies on a regular basis. I was invited to lead a Year 6 lesson at Oakwood Primary one afternoon about Christmas. We were also delighted to welcome the year 2s from St Peter’s Primary to come and spend some time with us at Marlborough Road for the afternoon and have a tour around the church. We hope to have a year group from Oakwood Primary come along to Hatfield Road in the next term. I have also been volunteering with Step and helped to lead a Youth Alpha at Sandringham as well as leading lessons in Beaumont and Sandringham.

I have really enjoyed being able to start groups up again and connecting with children, young people and their families.

Emma Williams, Children and Families Worker

CHRISTIAN AID

Traditionally Christian Aid has received most of its donations through door to door collections. These collections stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the congregation were encouraged to make online donations. Some regular collectors leafleted nearby roads to make people aware of this option. However it became clear that the church was unlikely to raise as much money as it would normally (£1,000 per year).

For the year 2021-22 the Church decided to organise a sponsored walk to make up for the lost income. A route was devised around 27 of the churches in St Albans. The walk took place on 15th May 2021. Twelve members from HRMC, two from MRMC and five people from three other churches took part in the event, including our own minister and Rev Rosemary Fletcher from Marlborough Road. We were able to publicise the walk with an article in the local paper, contact friends and family via social media to ask for donations and also set up an online account with Just Giving.

The day of the walk turned out to be a day of mixed weather with waterproofs being donned on a number of occasions. Exercise, good fellowship and exploring St Albans made for a thoroughly enjoyable day. The whole route spanned 17.5 miles but each of the participants opted for a distance that suited them. Some walked five miles, some ten, while others completed the full distance. The most important aspect of the day was the money raised for Christian Aid. This came to a grand total of £6,641.25. (£565.00 in cash donations, £5,025 online donations and £1,051.25 in Gift Aid). Many thanks to all who took part.

The change in patterns of giving, particularly as society moves towards being cashless, suggest that door to door collections may well be a thing of the past. Hence events such as sponsored walks will assume greater importance. Another walk is planned for 21[st] May 2022. All that remains is to decide whether we should continue to repeat this event in years to come or investigate alternative options.

Anne Wall, Christian Aid coordinator

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CORNERSTONE HOUSE REPORT

Christmas in Salisbury Village

Cornerstone house had a successful Christmas of outreach. The Christmas Window Hunt involved 34 children from Salisbury Village finding 24 windows, each with a different picture or ornament connected to Christmas. Their reward was the contents of a Christingle to make at Home, some sweets, and a Christmas Those who found all 24 windows were placed into a draw and 3 lucky winners received an extra prize of a craft pack. Alongside this was the Cornerstone House Posada consisting of a knitted Mary, Joseph, and Donkey (made lovingly by Peter and Ruth Wallace from HRMC) accompanied by a flock of lambs, chocolates, and a storybook of the nativity. 20 families hosted Mary and Joseph for 24 hours on their way to Bethlehem. (Lambs are now in short supply). Unfortunately, we had to cancel the Christmas Eve Family Craft Café due to high numbers of families in Salisbury Village with Covid.

Looking Forward to Easter

As the Howe Dell Community Hall still cannot be hired, Easter will once again be based at Cornerstone House. Cornerstone House are planning an Easter Egg Trail on 16th April 2022 between 2pm & 5pm, with laminated 2d eggs placed around the play area off Chipmunk Chase with letters to find. The prize for joining will be a ‘real easter Egg’. At the same time an Easter drop-in Craft Cafe will be in the Cornerstone House Community Room, where there will be an opportunity for refreshments and a craft, as well as handing in the completed Easter Egg trail forms and receiving their prizes. Help is needed on the day and with cakes for both activities.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Cornerstone house is hoping to plant some trees on the Chipmunk Chase playground area as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. I have asked the Borough Council’s help on this via Councillor Duncan Bell. At present Councillor Bell is approaching the Hatfield Town Council and the Welwyn/Hatfield Borough Council for permission and help to plant 15 saplings from the woodland trust. Cornerstone House would then have a gathering with cupcakes in April to officially plant and put plaques to commemorate the year. Then on Saturday 4th June there will be a Jubilee Park Party on the Chipmunk Playground. A group of Cornerstone House attendees has convened for planning this event and will be meeting on the 8th of March to start planning this in detail. But will probably include the following and more; local choirs, HRMC music group, and a dad from the project as a DJ, one or two entertainers, bouncy castles, a cake tent, a refreshment and tuck tent, face painting, a craft tent and an opportunity to have a selfie with the Queen (cardboard cut-out). Help is needed on the days with setting up, supervising areas and clearing up as well as cakes for both activities.

Deacon Linda Kinchenton (February 2022)

CRADLE ROLL (BAPTISMAL ROLL)

The Cradle Roll is a register of all the children who have been welcomed into the church through Baptism or a Service of Thanksgiving. Their names are proudly displayed in the Children’s corner. The children are kept on the Cradle Roll until they are three years old when they are promoted into the Sunday Club. There are six children on the Cradle Roll: George, 4; Lilly-Rai, 4; Charles, 2; Evelyn, 3 and Julia, 3. There have been three baptisms since our last AGM in June 2021. Each child receives a card from the church on their anniversary of their baptism.

Adelita Serwaa-Bonsu, Cradle Roll Secretary

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DAY CARE GROUP

This Group has been running since 1988 and is much loved by those who attend.

We re-started on Friday October 1st 2021 following a time of uncertainty for everyone. However as the weeks have gone by we are

at a time of great happiness. We have been blessed with the support of Maggie Dodd and those who have offered to collect our visitors each week. We all, of course, continue with lateral flow tests before arriving.

Under the guidance of Maggie, myself and others we have craft work (most weeks) quizzes, conversation (non stop), much enjoyment and laughter. We also have great lunches, tea, coffee, and of course the occasional birthday cake.

At this present time we have 6 elderly visitors and 8 helpers, plus those who provide transport each week. We are extremely thankful to the kitchen staff of St. Alban and St. Stephen Junior School, who supply our lunches, and to the wife of one of our helpers who collects and returns containers each week for us. This Group is a joy to all of us who attend each week and we are hoping to increase slightly our number of visitors and helpers.

Sue Davey, Daycare Coordinator

GROWMORE RAMBLERS

It was with great pleasure that the Growmore Rambles restarted in January this year, following an almost two year gap necessitated by Covid restriction and regulations. The walks have resumed on the 4th Saturday of the month. This season different members of the group are taking it in turns to lead which is allowing us to explore some of the new routes and paths that we followed during lockdown. The walks planned are usually 5-6 miles and take about 2- 2 1/2 hours to complete. New walkers are always welcome.

Denise Willingham

HOUSE GROUPS

Since taking over the role of House Group Co-ordinator from Roy Vivian in September 2021, thanks to the easing of 'Lockdown' rules we have been able to meet in person should we choose rather than via Zoom. In practice, most groups seem to have a mix of both and will probably continue to meet in this way for the foreseeable future.

We now only have 4 House Groups meeting every two weeks hosted by Ros Hancock, Tony Moody, Peter Wallace and myself. Chris Hancock's House Group (mainly from Marlborough Road) has sadly had to be disbanded due to a number of members' ill health, making the meeting unviable.

House Group Leaders met on 8[th] December and 30[th] March, deciding that each House Group could ask their members what they would like to study and then choose their own material. It was felt that this would broaden the style of the studies, breaking away from simply a question and answer format if that was what most members wanted.

Over the last 7 months 2 groups looked at 'Hope' and 'Hospitality' both of which are Lifebuilder Studies. The remaining 2 groups sourced their own material, including ‘Psalms’, 'Watching & Waiting' and 'Living in Isolation'. We are currently looking for new study material for the summer and will meet to confirm our choices later in July.

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In an effort to encourage more of the congregation to join a House Group, I asked each Pastoral Visitor to contact those under their care to make sure that everyone is aware of House Groups, when they are and to emphasise that all are welcome. So far 2 new members have joined a group whilst others may consider joining at a later date. I shall follow up when appropriate.

The House Group Notice in the foyer has been updated but the information on the church's website re House Groups needs updating, an issue that will be sorted by our clever techies when time permits.

Johanna Mason, House Group Co-ordinator

JUNIOR MISSION FOR ALL (JMA)

JMA is a network of children, supported by adults, who support and learn about the mission of the church all over the world. The JMA promise is to ‘Learn, pray and serve with the worldwide church of Jesus Christ’. Money raised is allocated 1 fifth to the Methodist Mission in Britain Fund and 4 fifths to the Methodist World Mission Fund.

At HRMC we now have 3 collectors, Goldy and Honor and our new collector Simon. Many thanks to Jonathan and Rebecca who have now retired but who over the past 7 years have raised almost £1000 between them.

Once again COVID has prevented any fundraising events however we were finally able to present our collectors with their badges and certificates during a service in the Autumn. Collectors have also been able to start doing some collecting again after the service when circumstances have permitted.

The total raised in the JMA year 2020 – 2021 was £266.06 which will be boosted by Gift Aid in due course.

Ruth Wallace, JMA Treasurer

MUSIC GROUP

The Covid-19 pandemic has provided the Music Group with another challenging year, as we continue to be restricted to wearing masks at all times during services. In order to lead the music well, as we continue to stream our services, we try to

record the hymns to provide a strong lead, as singing through masks does sound rather muffled! Despite us having recorded some 180 hymns over the past 2 years, preachers still manage to choose hymns we haven’t yet recorded. Our hope is that the recordings will provide a resource which can be used by others in services and small group worship.

Once again we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Chris Hancock for the very many hours he has spent producing the hymns, and to Mike Sheehan for providing all the music. I would also like to thank all the regular Music Group members who turn up each week ready to learn, rehearse and record. And I mustn’t forget to mention those who joined us at Christmas to enable us to sing anthems at our carol service.

We do welcome new members of any age from secondary school upwards to join the Group. If you enjoy singing, or can play an instrument and would be interested in joining us for special events, on a regular basis, or in our recording sessions, please speak to Joanna Rose. If you are a competent pianist and would be interested in playing the piano or organ for any services once singing in worship is permitted, again please contact Joanna.

This has certainly been another challenging year for us all, and I sincerely hope the time is drawing near when we can all sing together again free from masks in praise to our heavenly Father.

Joanna Rose, Music Group leader

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PASTORAL TEAM

The Pastoral Team at Hatfield Road Methodist Church comprises Rev Andrew Prout, Denise Willingham as Pastoral Steward, Gina Woodhead as Pastoral Secretary, 14 members of the church who are Pastoral Visitors, and 5 House Group Leaders.

This year there have been some changes to the Pastoral Team. Muriel Ison and Betty Burdett have stepped down as Pastoral Visitors and Roy Vivian has stepped down as House Group Coordinator and House Group Leader, after many years of faithful service. We are thankful for their experience, welcome, love and support for all of us. Roy Vivian continues his role with the Prayer Tree.

We welcome three new Pastoral Visitors, Anne Wall, Louise Mullins and Ruth Wallace. Johanna Mason continues as a House Group Leader and has taken on the role of House Group Coordinator. Thank you to them all for their willingness to serve in the Pastoral Team.

Since the last AGM in May 2021 the Pastoral Team have had two meetings one via Zoom in July 2021 and one in March 2022, in person at church.

The Pastoral Team have worked hard to keep in touch with members of the church, adherents and the wider church family. Contact has been by telephone or email or where possible face to face following government and Methodist Church guidelines. The church will provide lateral flow tests for use by the Pastoral Team after 1 April should they be considered a requirement for visiting.

Thanks go to Rev Rosemary Fletcher who provided Pastoral Support while Rev Andrew was away on sabbatical. Thanks also go to the members of the Pastoral Team and others for their willingness to give their time, efforts, gifts, cards, phone calls, visits and support to our church family and the wider community especially over times of “lock down” due to the pandemic and restrictions imposed.

Sue Edwards was a great help towards the end of last year, updating the Directory of Members. Thank you, Sue. The November 2021 Directory, The Methodist Church Membership Cards, a Christmas Greeting and Letter from The Minister were distributed at the beginning of December when Rev Andrew returned.

Currently there are 106 members of the church and approximately 50 adherents. We remember Eileen Holt, a church member who passed away in March 2022. Betty Burdett, a much-loved member of our church, has transferred her membership to Unity Methodist Church in Sandbach, near her new home. Marion and Philip Eaton, Richard and Corrine Cheffers have transferred their memberships to other churches. We thank them for their great contribution to HRMC over the years and wish them well with their new church families. They are always welcome at HRMC. We have welcomed 2 new members to our church Ivy Tavershima and Hugo Gomes. Pat Maziane has transferred to Hatfield Road Methodist from Marlborough Road Methodist Church.

You are welcome to contact Andrew or Gina if you feel you would like to get involved in Pastoral Care, join the Pastoral Team, or have any concerns or suggestions you would like to share.

Please pray for the work of the Pastoral Team at HRMC.

Gina Woodhead, Pastoral Secretary

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PRAYER MINISTRY

Much of the Prayer Ministry’s conventional activities associated with our Sunday Services have continued to be impacted by the pandemic. For example, not until normality returns will it be possible for members of the Prayer Team to pray with Church members in the Sanctuary at the end of the 10.30am Service.

As from the beginning of January the weekly publication of the Prayer Diary, which is overseen by Peggy Liffen, has been included in Sunday’s Notices which are circulated every week either on line or by hand to all Church members and adherents. In this way all the people and families who are listed can be remembered in our prayers during the following week.

Almost nine years have elapsed since a prayer meeting was started by Ros Hancock initially to pray for the success of the first Cliff College Mission and then, subsequently, to pray for the needs of our Church as a whole. The meetings take place on Tuesday mornings (via Whats App) and are supported by members of Ros’s house group and a few other Church members.

The prayer initiative introduced in 2009 by Graham Smith and Chris Hancock re-started in the Autumn following the relaxation of the pandemic restrictions. The meetings are held at Church between 7.00am and 8.00am on Wednesday mornings. People are free to come and go as suits them best.

The Prayer Tree continues and there are now 33 of us who are members of it. Prayer requests are normally emailed out to members and this is particularly useful in cases of urgency. The knowledge that many people are offering prayers provides comfort and support to those who have requested them.

Roy Vivian

SUNDAY CLUB AND YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Since the beginning of the academic year, Sunday Club has been able to meet in person during the Sunday service. When the Sunday club leaders met in the summer we decided to trial only having Sunday Club on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. This was partly to reduce the strain with fewer numbers of leaders but also to ensure that the leaders had an opportunity to worship with the congregation rather than always being out leading our children and young people. The other Sundays of the month are all age services.

Tomas has continued to lead the sessions for those in year 7 upwards with the help of Ruth and Alison while the younger group have been led by Caroline, Pip, Helen Jeffery, and myself with Lesley willing to help when we are short staffed. I am very grateful to everyone as without them, we would not be able to offer this ministry. Tomas devises his own sessions for the older ones while the younger group have been working their way through the Bible. Starting at the beginning of Genesis we are looking at the lives of some of the key characters in the Bible and their relationship with God through activities, games, stories and crafts.

Although the numbers may be smaller than they were before the pandemic we still make sure the quality of the sessions remains consistent. It is a joy to come alongside our children and young people as they explore the Bible and develop their own relationship with God.

I have made various attempts to meet with and engage some of our young people from both Hatfield Road and Marlborough Road, including a pizza party just before Christmas. Unfortunately, a new variant of Covid put a spanner in the works and so we were unable to go ahead with this event. We invited 267 to host FUEL at Hatfield Road at the end of January and it was great to see some of our young people come along and meet others from different churches. We hope to continue enabling our young people to attend FUEL at other churches as they wish and plan an event for our young people over Easter weekend.

Emma Williams

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THE METHODIST CHURCH IN GREAT BRITAIN - SOME FACTS ABOUT US

Constitution

The constitution of the Methodist Church in Britain is contained in the Deed of Union conferred by the Methodist Union Church Act 1929. That Act was replaced by the Methodist Church Act 1976 and its statutory Model Trusts.

The Deed of Union (Part 1 Section 4 Government) provides for the governing body of the church to be the Methodist Conference. The constitution and powers of the Conference are stated and include the power to make standing orders.

The Methodist Church Act 1939 constituted and incorporated a single body of trustees called the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposed (TMCP and known as the custodian trustees) to hold all real, leasehold and other personal estate of the Methodist Church. Various other church courts in the Methodist Church, and accountable to the Methodist Conference and constituted in accordance with those standing orders, act as "local managing trustees".

The Methodist Church Funds Act 1960 provides for the investment of funds of the Methodist Church.

The Sharing of Buildings Act 1969 makes provision for the sharing and using of church buildings in England and Wales by different churches.

Purposes

The purposes of the Methodist Church are set out in Section 4 of the 1976 Act. They are the advancement of:

• (a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church

• (b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, district, circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church

• (c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church

• (d) any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.

The details are contained in a publication called The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church Volumes 1 and 2 published by Methodist Publishing, Norwich Books and Music, 13a Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 5DR Tel: [phone] and [e-mail].

In England and Wales all Methodist churches, circuits and districts with a gross annual income of over £100,000 per annum need to register with the Charity Commission. Methodist charities with an income under £100,000 per annum continue to be excepted from registration. This exception is provided by the Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 242.

Charitable status

The Methodist Church in Britain (referred to as the Connexion) is made up of over 6000 separate charities and is not a single entity. A separate registration exists in the name of the Methodist Church in Great Britain with the Methodist Conference as the trustee body. Its registration number applies only to

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the connexional charity and the main connexionally-held funds. Local churches, circuits and districts cannot use that number.

All Methodist churches, circuits and districts are charities whether or not they are registered with the Charity Commission. The Charities (Exception from Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 extended the exception for religious charities in England and Wales with an income under £100,000 per annum until 31 March 2021.

All charities (excluding excepted charities) must keep accounting records and make the annual report and financial accounts available to the public on request.

Structure, governance and management

The whole of the Methodist Church in Britain is referred to as "the Connexion". It operates through 31 Districts in Great Britain which are divided, with a few exceptions, into circuits. Those circuits normally include several churches and ministers. See the Methodist Districts map at the end for further details.

The local church mainly manages its own affairs (including church property) through the Church Council where its members are the managing trustees. It is connected by representative membership to others in the circuit, and more widely to the district and the Connexion.

The Methodist Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans is part of the St Albans and Welwyn Circuit. Three of its church council members represent it at the Circuit Meeting in addition to the Minister, Senior Church Steward and the Church Treasurer. Members of the Church Council must complete a Trustee Eligibility Declaration (T.E.D.) and receive an induction on appointment. Further training is given when needed and existing trustees are required to confirm their ongoing eligibility by completing T.E.D.s at intervals determined by the charity.

The Church Council comprises ministers, ex officio members and members elected once a year by the general church meeting. On election, members serve from 1 July for one year and may be eligible for reelection for a further year up to a normal maximum of six years.

The Church Council meets between three and four times a year and undertakes much of its work through a number of committees with delegated authority.

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy is to aim to hold a sum equal to six months' normal expenditure. Any funds above that figure are held pending anticipated major property work and the development of local mission and ministry. This was adopted by the Church Council on 11 October 2016 and is reviewed annually.

Church Council Members

Church Council membership is confirmed at each meeting and at 15 March 2022 was as follows:

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Membership of Church Council 15[th] May 2022

Position	Name	Name	Date Appointed
Circuit Ministers SO 610 (1) (i)	Rev Rosemary Fletcher (Superintendent)		09/2013
	Rev Andrew Prout (Minister Pastoral Charge)		09/2014
SO 610 (1) (i) & SO 610 (4) (i)	Deacon Linda Kinchenton		11/2021
Church StewardsSO 610 (1) (vi)	Denise Willingham (Senior Church Steward)1a		05/2016
	Angela Andrews1		05/2018
	Tomas Cvrcek1		05/2018
	Lianne Weidmann1		06/2017
	Joe Kinchenton1		O7/2019
	Noelene Browning1		10/2019
Church TreasurerSO 610 (1) (vii)	Eric Bridgstock		06/2018
Pastoral CommitteeSO 610 (1) (viii)	Gina Woodhead3		01/2009
Church Council SecretarySO 610 (1) (ix)	Angela Spriggs		10/2019
One Circuit Steward appointed by the Circuit StewardsSO 610 (1) (xii)	Stuart Johnson		09/2020
Not less than six representatives nor more than fifteen elected annually by General Church Meeting(SO 610 (1) (x)	Caroline Tough1[Elected by ballot]		05/2012
	Ros Hancock1		05/2015
	Chris Kitchin1		06/2017
	Graham Danbury 1		05/2018
	James Appiah		06/2021
Plus up to 15 additional persons appointed by the Church Council to ensure that all areas of the church’s life are adequately represented and in particular that, wherever possible, young people are included in its membershipSO 610 (1) (xi) as follows: 5 & 6
Sunday Club and Youth Superintendent	Vacancy
Property & Finance Committee	Eric Bridgstock (Chair of Meeting) Vacancy	06/2019
Mission Secretaries Action Group (Mission in Britain / World Missions / JMA / Christian Aid/ Justice & Peace)	To Be Appointed	-
Worship Consultation Convenor	Peter Wallace	09/2015
Safeguarding Officer	Joanna Rose	05/2009
Other	Freda Gray [Catering & Property] Val Parker Emma Williams (Children and Families Worker, observer) Maggie Dodd (Anna Chaplain, observer)	08/2017 06/2019 11/2021 11/2021
Elected to Circuit Meeting (Ex Officio Officers) SO 510 (1) (vii) (plus 3 others) SO 510 (1) (viii)	Church Steward [Ex Officio]: Denise Willingham Church Treasurer [Ex Officio]: Eric Bridgstock Joanna Rose Chris Hancock [Ex Officio] Vacancy	09/2015 09/2017 XX/XXXX

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Notes to membership

• 1 Elected annually by the General Church Meeting (SO 632), must be a Member of the Methodist Church (SO 632) and may serve for a maximum of 6 years or for longer subject to there being no one to fill the vacancy and their election being endorsed by ballot with at least 75% voting in favour (SO 607).

• 1a Elected by the church stewards as senior steward for one year at a time.

• 2 Appointed annually by the Church Council, must be a Member of the Methodist Church (SO 635) and may serve for a maximum of 6 years or for longer subject to there being no one to fill the vacancy and their election being endorsed by ballot with at least 75% voting in favour (SO 607).

• 3 Appointed annually by the Church Council from among the members of the Pastoral Committee (SO 644 (6), must be a Member of the Methodist Church (SO 632) and may serve for a maximum of 6 years or for longer subject to their being no one to fill the vacancy and their election being endorsed by ballot with at least 75% voting in favour (SO 607).

• 4 Appointed annually by the Church Council and may serve for a maximum of 6 years or for longer subject to there being no one to fill the vacancy and their election being endorsed by ballot with at least 75% voting in favour (SO 607).

• 5 Appointed annually by the Church Council (SO 610 (1) (xi)), must be a Member of the Methodist Church (SO 610 (2A))

• 6 Young people under the age of 18 cannot legally become managing trustees and so are not eligible to vote on managing trustee business (SO 610 (2A) (b) footnote).

The references here to Standing Orders (SO) are those of The Methodist Church contained in The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of The Methodist Church Volume 2.

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Custodian Trustees

Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JQ Tel: [phone] & [e-mail]

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Appointed advisers

The Church Council continued to use the services of an Independent Examiner in Mr. John Robinson (contact details available on request) to examine the accounts for the financial year 2020-2021.

Websites

www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org www.stalbanswelwyncircuit.org.uk www.methodist.org.uk www.tmcp.org.uk

Registered address and Charity Number

The Methodist Church, 133b Hatfield Road, Fleetville, St Albans, AL1 4JX Charity Registration No. 1173147,

Why not keep in touch with the wider Methodist Church in Britain...

• the connexion , regular magazine, copies in the Foyer www.methodist.org.uk/theconnexion

• Methodist Prayer Handbook from Methodist Publishing & Rev’dColin Rowe

• Regular e-news : www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/sign-up-for-e- newsletters

• Leadership Blogs : www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/leadership-blogs

• Latest news : www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases

• Sharing good news stories : www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/sign-up-for-enewsletters

• Safeguarding : www.methodist.org.uk/ministers-and-office-holders/safeguarding

• Further resources from Methodist Publishing www.mph.org.uk

Copyright

© All material contained in its publications and on the website is covered by United Kingdom and International Copyright laws. All material is copyright of the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP).

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Recycle or Re-use!

Please pass this copy of this Annual Report to someone else, or recycle.

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HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

Church

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2021

Circuit St Albans & Welwyn	Circuit no	34/13
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
		1173147

If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number

(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)

Minister:

Rev Andrew Prout

	ChurchStewards:	ChurchStewards:
Denise Willingham			Tomas Cvrcek
Angela Andrews			Joe Kinchenton
Noelene Browning			Lianne Weidmann

Treasurer: Eric Bridgstock

Church R and P 2015.xls

1 of 5

Church

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

	SECTION A			Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds	£ 73503 267 1301 55959 Totals this year	£ 73503 267 1301 55959 Totals this year	Totals last year
				£	£	£		£
a1	RECEIPTS		Note
a2	Offerings and Tax recovered			73503		73503		69841
a3	Bank and CFB interest and Investment income			267		267		1031
a4	Lettings			1301		1301		4801
a5	Other receipts			5503	50456	55959		57015
a6	TOTAL RECEIPTS			80574	50456	**131030 **	(a7)	132688
	SECTION B					52800 540 36343 6373 0 43128
b1	PAYMENTS
b2	Circuit Assessment or Share			52800		52800		52800
b3	Donations			540		540		180
b4	Repairs and Maintenance			21343	15000	36343		13424
b5	Utilities (Insurances, water charges,heating& lighting)			6373		6373		6942
b6						0
b7	Otherpayments			6431	36697	43128		11240
b8	TOTAL PAYMENTS			87487	51697	**139184 **	(b9)	84586
						-8154
	SECTION C
c1	NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8)			-6913	-1241	-8154		48102
c2	Total funds brought forward from last year			56805	161666	**218471 **	(c6)	170369
						210317
c3	(c1+c2) Sub total			49892	160425	210317		218471
c4	Transfers and adjustments			-762		**-762 **	(c7)
c5	TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4)			49130	160425	**209555 **	(c8)	218471	(c6)

SECTION D

	SECTION D
d	FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above)		£ ORGANISATIONS		£
d1	Balance brought forward from lastyear		1,363		348
d2	Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations		1,709		2,911
d3	Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations		2,483		1,896
d4	BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3)		589		1,363

2 of 5

Church R and P 2015.xls

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.

	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E
	Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
	INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS	Receipts		Payments		Net Receipts/ Payments		Adjustments		Opening balances		Closingbalances
e1
e2
e3
e4
e5
e6
e7
e8	Sub total of Internal Organisations funds					-8154					(e11)		(e12)
e9	Church accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column)	**131030 **	(a7)	**139184 **	(b9)	-8154		**-1188 **	(c7)	**219486 **	(c6)	210144	(c8)
e10	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH	131030		139184		-8154		-1188		219486	(x)	210144	(y)
		TOTAL RECEIPTS		TOTAL PAYMENTS
	SECTION F
	SECTION F
	STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND	LIABILITIES

	SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
	CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2021 Central FinanceBoard Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Other funds Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) Bank Deposit Account SUB TOTAL - Church accounts TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH Cash in hand BankCurrent Account	OPENING BALANCES 23827 1000 194659 219486 (c6) (e11) 219486 (x)	CLOSING BALANCES
f1	Cash in hand
f2	BankCurrent Account		35731
f3	Bank Deposit Account
f4	Central FinanceBoard		174413
f5	Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
f6	Other funds
f7	SUB TOTAL - Church accounts		210144	(c8)
f8	Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12)			(e12)
f9	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH		210144	(y)
	SECTION G	At	At
	SECTION G
	OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Other Assets Other Liabilities Investments (includeEndowments) Land &Buildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) Loan(s)-showamountoutstanding atyearend	1 September 2020 346 2,632,046 130,175	31 August 2021 409 2,632,046 130,175
g1	Investments (includeEndowments)	346	409
g2	Land &Buildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue)	2,632,046	2,632,046
g3	Other Assets	130,175	130,175
g4	Loan(s)-showamountoutstanding atyearend
g5	Other Liabilities

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5

3 of 5

2015 Church R and P.xls

Name of Church HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST CHURCH No 34113 ........... Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer ,'$.13 I￿22 Name and address of treasurer ....... Eric Bridgstock 16 Evans Grove. St Albans, Herts AL4 9PJ Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts fo th the meeting of the Church trustees held on I S ear ended 31 August 2021 y￿re￿Il￿be. presented to Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Haffield Road Methodist Church Charity Number. 1173147 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Haffield Road Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages 1 to 3. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 ('the Act,). Jan-21 2015 ctturch Rand P￿S 4c45

Name ofchurch . .. Hatfield Road Methodist... .... No 34113 Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm thal no material mattefs have come to my attention in connection with the examination lother than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting fecords were not kept in accordance wth section 130 of the Act". or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wtlh the examinatson lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I havenwt0￿btalned independent verification of all investrnents the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other Iwsls. bank balances and funds at the Central FinancE Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excv3s of £10.000 (ten thousa d pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner JOHN RO8INSON............... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm {where appropriate} Address . Cèdarwood, S Hannor Dell, Digswell, WeTrwyn ..Post Code AL6 OBE Date delete or circle as appropriate Jan-21 201Sthurth R and P.yJ5 Sc45

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

Church

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2021

Circuit St Albans & Welwyn	Circuit no	34/13
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
		1173147

If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number

(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)

Minister:

Rev Andrew Prout

	ChurchStewards:	ChurchStewards:
Denise Willingham			Tomas Cvrcek
Angela Andrews			Joe Kinchenton
Noelene Browning			Lianne Weidmann

Treasurer: Eric Bridgstock

Church R and P 2015.xls

1 of 5

Church

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

	SECTION A			Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds	£ 73503 267 1301 55959 Totals this year	£ 73503 267 1301 55959 Totals this year	Totals last year
				£	£	£		£
a1	RECEIPTS		Note
a2	Offerings and Tax recovered			73503		73503		69841
a3	Bank and CFB interest and Investment income			267		267		1031
a4	Lettings			1301		1301		4801
a5	Other receipts			5503	50456	55959		57015
a6	TOTAL RECEIPTS			80574	50456	**131030 **	(a7)	132688
	SECTION B					52800 540 36343 6373 0 43128
b1	PAYMENTS
b2	Circuit Assessment or Share			52800		52800		52800
b3	Donations			540		540		180
b4	Repairs and Maintenance			21343	15000	36343		13424
b5	Utilities (Insurances, water charges,heating& lighting)			6373		6373		6942
b6						0
b7	Otherpayments			6431	36697	43128		11240
b8	TOTAL PAYMENTS			87487	51697	**139184 **	(b9)	84586
						-8154
	SECTION C
c1	NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8)			-6913	-1241	-8154		48102
c2	Total funds brought forward from last year			56805	161666	**218471 **	(c6)	170369
						210317
c3	(c1+c2) Sub total			49892	160425	210317		218471
c4	Transfers and adjustments			-762		**-762 **	(c7)
c5	TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4)			49130	160425	**209555 **	(c8)	218471	(c6)

SECTION D

	SECTION D
d	FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above)		£ ORGANISATIONS		£
d1	Balance brought forward from lastyear		1,363		348
d2	Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations		1,709		2,911
d3	Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations		2,483		1,896
d4	BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3)		589		1,363

2 of 5

Church R and P 2015.xls

HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST

Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.

	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E	SECTION E
	Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
	INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS	Receipts		Payments		Net Receipts/ Payments		Adjustments		Opening balances		Closingbalances
e1
e2
e3
e4
e5
e6
e7
e8	Sub total of Internal Organisations funds					-8154					(e11)		(e12)
e9	Church accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column)	**131030 **	(a7)	**139184 **	(b9)	-8154		**-1188 **	(c7)	**219486 **	(c6)	210144	(c8)
e10	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH	131030		139184		-8154		-1188		219486	(x)	210144	(y)
		TOTAL RECEIPTS		TOTAL PAYMENTS
	SECTION F
	SECTION F
	STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND	LIABILITIES

	SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
	CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2021 Central FinanceBoard Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Other funds Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) Bank Deposit Account SUB TOTAL - Church accounts TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH Cash in hand BankCurrent Account	OPENING BALANCES 23827 1000 194659 219486 (c6) (e11) 219486 (x)	CLOSING BALANCES
f1	Cash in hand
f2	BankCurrent Account		35731
f3	Bank Deposit Account
f4	Central FinanceBoard		174413
f5	Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
f6	Other funds
f7	SUB TOTAL - Church accounts		210144	(c8)
f8	Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12)			(e12)
f9	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH		210144	(y)
	SECTION G	At	At
	SECTION G
	OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Other Assets Other Liabilities Investments (includeEndowments) Land &Buildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) Loan(s)-showamountoutstanding atyearend	1 September 2020 346 2,632,046 130,175	31 August 2021 409 2,632,046 130,175
g1	Investments (includeEndowments)	346	409
g2	Land &Buildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue)	2,632,046	2,632,046
g3	Other Assets	130,175	130,175
g4	Loan(s)-showamountoutstanding atyearend
g5	Other Liabilities

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5

3 of 5

2015 Church R and P.xls

Name of Church HATFIELD ROAD METHODIST CHURCH No 34113 ........... Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer ,'$.13 I￿22 Name and address of treasurer ....... Eric Bridgstock 16 Evans Grove. St Albans, Herts AL4 9PJ Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts fo th the meeting of the Church trustees held on I S ear ended 31 August 2021 y￿re￿Il￿be. presented to Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Haffield Road Methodist Church Charity Number. 1173147 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Haffield Road Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages 1 to 3. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 ('the Act,). Jan-21 2015 ctturch Rand P￿S 4c45

Name ofchurch . .. Hatfield Road Methodist... .... No 34113 Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm thal no material mattefs have come to my attention in connection with the examination lother than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting fecords were not kept in accordance wth section 130 of the Act". or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wtlh the examinatson lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I havenwt0￿btalned independent verification of all investrnents the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other Iwsls. bank balances and funds at the Central FinancE Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excv3s of £10.000 (ten thousa d pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner JOHN RO8INSON............... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm {where appropriate} Address . Cèdarwood, S Hannor Dell, Digswell, WeTrwyn ..Post Code AL6 OBE Date delete or circle as appropriate Jan-21 201Sthurth R and P.yJ5 Sc45