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2020-08-31-accounts

Annual Charity Commission report of Ruxley Church (charity number 1174096) for the Year ending 31st August 2020

Ruxley Church, Ruxley Lane, West Ewell, Epsom, Surrey KT19 0JG

Methodist Minister: Rev. Emma Cusack

Anglican Minister: Rev. Fiona Ellingham (joined Ruxley in January 2021)

Mission Statement Summary

Ruxley Church is an ecumenical partnership between Ruxley Methodist Church and the Anglican parish of St Francis of Assisi, Ewell, established in 2002. We worship God as one family drawing strength from both our traditions.

God is in the centre of our ministry here at Ruxley Church, making us a welcoming; friendly community as we spread the love of Jesus by: celebrating in worship; developing our spiritual life as individuals and as a church; ministry to the community; sharing in witness and loving service.

Introduction

From March 2020 life in the UK changed for everyone and no surprise that this was an extraordinarily challenging time for Ruxley Church. Prior to the lockdown we had (as last year) spent much time preparing to appoint a new Anglican Minister, only for the interviews (due at the end of March) to be postponed indefinitely. We refused to be discouraged by this and indeed used the time to try to discern what God wants for our church, its congregation and the communities in which we live. We continue to ensure that those resources that we have been blessed with – people, property and money – are well cared for and utilised for the building up of the body of Christ and for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. The report that you are about to read looks at various aspects of our life together as Ruxley Church during 2019 and 2020.

Aims and Purposes

Ruxley Church engages in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, including:

a) the celebration of public worship;

b) the teaching of the Christian faith;

c) mission and evangelism;

d) pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved;

e) the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including (but not restricted to) the elderly, the young and other groups with special needs; and

f) the support of other charities in the UK and overseas.

Impact of the Ruxley Church activities

The report details the variety of activities. However, the key impact these activities have had over the 12 months related to the above aims are as follows:

a) The celebration of public worship

A range of worship services centred on a number of festivals (which are promoted through social media) three people from the local community as well as good engagement on our social media channels.

b) The teaching of the Christian faith

Small groups continued to meet, utilising soon once lockdown was in place and the congregation given access to a variety of services in the Methodist and Church of England with links from the website. This all enabled teaching of the Christian Faith to continue

c) Mission and evangelism

Several community several community events were offered as detailed in the social and community engagement section of the report.

Links with Riverview school through some of the ECC governors have been maintained, with a Christingle service to share with the children Jesus being the light of the world.

d) Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved

The Methodist minister in post has been supported by the church’s pastoral assistant and the pastoral team. As a result of the pandemic was the numbers of baptisms were limited, the minister and pastoral team have ensured regular contact has taken place to maintain mental and spiritual well-being of all.

During this time work towards completing the garden of reflection was also undertaken.

The number of external hall-hirers with their various community-focussed activities was maintained preCovid. Once Lockdown was announced the preschool operated in a COVID-secure manner once government restrictions allowed.

f) The support of other charities in the UK and overseas

They Sudbury school in Ghana, along with other charities in this report have benefited from charitable donations totalling £5,084 throughout the year.

Activities through the year

Ruxley church has been blessed by the leadership of Rev. Emma. She has been assisted by the leadership team and members working in the various sub-groups. Prior to the start of the pandemic, Ruxley church held a service each Sunday morning and most Sunday evenings, with communion being given each week. The morning services were attended by an average seventy persons each week, with visitors always being made very welcome. Prayer groups take place through the week and the chapel has been made available for private reflection.

Worship and Spiritual Development

Ensuring that there is ministerial cover for services has been a continuing theme at all meetings.

Detailed planning was undertaken in respect of All-age Services, as well as those for Lent and Easter, Pentecost, Harvest, Advent and Christmas, and of course the wonderful Peace Stone Service and more recently, the Church Anniversary Service.

A variety of services feedback has been received and discussed, including rotas, music resourcing and outdoor services. Small Groups material has also been discussed.

The group liaises regularly for publicity planning with the Communications and Admin Subgroup.

At future meetings the Worship & Spiritual Development Group intend to look at the spirituality of our church in terms other than Sunday worship - important as that is - and also Small Groups invitation and promotion and the Evening Services pattern.

Pastoral Group

We have a pastoral network in place with twelve pastoral leaders whose role it is to look out for the wellbeing of members of the congregation. We must not forget that some of our church family are now getting frailer; we continue to hold these people in our prayers, especially those who are now unable to get to church to worship. We are sad to have lost several of our members who have moved away this year to be nearer their families, and even sadder to have said goodbye to others who have moved on to be with the Lord. We thank God for all they have meant to us over the years.

Prayer Chain

Fourteen people are on the Prayer Chain via e-mail or phone. This ensures that requests for prayer are quickly passed on. Many people have felt supported through these prayers in difficult times.

Small Groups

Six small groups continue to meet regularly (every other week) for fellowship, prayer and bible study. A variety of resources have been used and some weeks these have been tied in with preaching in the church services. The groups are always happy to welcome new members.

Baptisms

Two children were baptised at Ruxley Church during the last twelvemonths and both families continue to attend church. Baptisms take place during all-age worship morning services. Parents are now required to attend church for at least three months before their child is baptised.

Young People and Families

We are all getting older - and so are the 'children'! The oldest is Joshua, who has been with us since he was five, and he is now seventeen!

Fish Club takes place every Sunday, unless there is an All Age Service, when we all meet together with the congregation. Our numbers are quite stable, with about seventeen youngsters coming fairly regularly, and

we have had about fifteen visitors who have joined with us occasionally.

Sadly, we said 'Good-bye' to Liz in September; she has joined another church. We thank her for everything she did with the older group, and wish her God's blessing in her future. Brian now leads this group, and Julia, Philip and Anne lead the Fishes group once a month. It has been great that Louise is home for a year doing 'work experience' and has been helping with Brucie, and any visiting tiny children, in the Tiddlers group. We shall miss her in September when she returns to Uni! Our huge thanks go to all these folk, and also, to all those who come along as helpers.

During the year the children have, in different ways, taken part in some of the services, and on Palm Sunday the children and the leaders led the whole service. At Christmas they sang a new Christmas song 'Mary did you know...'

The children were involved in the Family Fun Day in July and the Rainbow Party held on October 31[st] . For the first time, the older children were asked to be helpers, and three came along and made themselves very useful!

Once more, our weekly offerings have been sent to an orphanage in a poor village in India. This time the girls were treated to beautiful dresses!

We trust that God will bless the seeds that are sewn on Sunday mornings. We pray that all the children that they will grow to love Him and want to serve Him all their lives.

Toddler Group

This group meets one morning a week in the community hall. We have a lovely group of parents and grandparents with children ranging from two months to three years. We have a volunteer who comes in to do art and craft and a volunteer to help in the kitchen. The children join in with the singing and dancing and mums and nans help clear up at the end.

Some of our two year olds are now attending the nursery at the Church and several of our three year olds will be starting Riverview school nursery in September.

Riverview Church of England Primary and Nursery School

Our links with Riverview Church of England School are growing. Two of our members are governors of the school. During 2019-2020 Reverend Emma frequently liaised with the headmistress of the school, but being a Church of England school the diocesan link is likely to be stronger by the appointment of a new Anglican priest. Note: Reverend Fiona Ellingham joined Ruxley Church in January 2021.

Mission and Evangelism

This subgroup of Ecumenical Church Council (ECC) has five members. In May, the group organized a Prayer Walk, together with members of the Tuesday prayer group. On this occasion, homes in Pams Way were leafletted. The leaflet stated that we would be praying for residents and to invite them to send us any prayer requests. A few people walked and prayed whilst some supported by praying back at church.

Various activities were planned to support Christian Aid week in May. One of the Sunday services had a specific focus and gift envelopes were distributed over two weeks. A Thursday Coffee Time donation was allocated to Christian Aid and there was a plant sale.

We encouraged church members to attend a free event, organized by the Diocese at St Paul’s Howell Hill, which focused on ‘knowing what and why we believe’. Four church members participated. There were some excellent speakers and it was a very positive and encouraging experience.

Our links with our church school, Riverview, are continuing to develop. One or two of the school's governors regularly attend ECC meetings. Several church members have supported the school at Prayer

Space days and have also helped at the summer event run by the Family Centre, and at the school’s Christmas Fair.

Some classes have benefitted from visiting the Tuesday Fellowship and showing their work. There was a good choir from the school at the Christingle service in December and consequently plenty of parents to swell the congregation!

Tuesday Fellowship

Tuesday Fellowship continues to be well supported, and a happy place to be. Our numbers fluctuate due to health and weather, but we are always pleasantly surprised by the effort everyone makes to come and enjoy the afternoon. It has been good to welcome members who had previously only visited on special occasions.

Hopefully, the programme has had something for all. Afternoon presentations and events have included:

The Red Cross, Tales of a Wisley apprentice of the early 70's, An Auctioneer, The History of English Cheese, Kids go to Disney, Visits by Riverview School, Quizzes, Members Music, Anniversary celebration, Summer Tea, Christmas lunch and Summer Trip to Winchester.

There is a need in the community for activities such as these, to combat loneliness, and give people a pleasing venue to meet in. As always, transport is very much needed.

Ladies’ Group

Ladies Group members enjoy getting together and chatting, but we also enjoy our outings. During the past year we visited Epsom Playhouse to see The Hot Mikado and Jesus Christ Superstar. We also visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond, where a good lunch was followed by a short presentation and tour of the factory - well worth a visit. We have enjoyed meals out at the Cote Restaurant in Kingston and Topo Gigio in Ewell.

We watched the film The Shack, made decorations for the church Christmas Tree and enjoyed a talk on hedgehogs. We continue to hone our darts skills and have played Monkey Bingo!

EEL’S (Ewell Ecumenical Ladies)

EEL’s are now a group of seven ladies, from different churches in the area, who have met on a Wednesday morning for fellowship for a number of years. Although our numbers have diminished, we are strong in our faith and greatly value the times of worship, prayer and bible study we share together, and the support we give each other. Our meetings are held in various homes. New members would be welcomed.

Men's Group

The Men's Group has enjoyed another beneficial year, meeting at the Hogsmill Tavern at 7pm for a meal on the second Wednesday of each month. The number attending is usually between ten and sixteen and members look forward to a period of informal and rewarding fellowship. The group provides the opportunity to talk freely in sharing a Christian perspective about a wide range of subjects of both personal and wider social interest. Generally the only formal business each meeting is to confirm the date of the next meeting!

These regular meetings with like-minded friends are of real value to those taking part and we welcome new participants.

Ouch!

Not a particularly busy year for Ouch (the church band dance group), but we have still provided music for parties and church events, with the most recent being for the Longmead Centre Christmas Party. We were

honored to have been able to play our part in assisting fund-raising for the Memorial Garden. Thanks as always go to our enthusiastic musicians - Robin, Fred, Malcolm, Dave, Richard, Steve, Paulette and not least to our caller Brian.

Thursday Coffee Mornings

The support we have received during the year has enabled us to donate to the following: Help the Heroes, the Rainbow Trust, Ectodermal Dysplasia Association (on behalf of one of the nursery staff, three of whose children suffer from this condition), CRISIS and Epsom and Ewell Street Pastors. We held a special coffee morning for MacMillan which was very well supported, as was the one on behalf of Women’s' World Day of Prayer. Finally, we also make regular contributions to the church.

We continue to welcome many friends from the congregation and the wider community and feel that we are providing a happy and inclusive atmosphere for our customers.

Thanks to our willing band of workers who give of their time and make the cakes.

Food Bank

Another year and another increase in the number of people using the Foodbank. Our fervent wish is that it will not be needed any more, but there is no chance of that in the foreseeable future.

The good news is that our Christmas fundraising campaigns were a huge success. We were able to raise enough money to be able to give our clients vouchers for local butchers and greengrocers to proovide a lovely Christmas dinner. We were also able to give some clients a one-off top-up for their gas / electricity key-cards so that they could cook their fresh Christmas food. Alongside this we gave out long-life food, toiletries and our usual Christmas presents and Advent calendars.

Ruxley Church has played its part by making donations of food, toiletries and money as well as the massive support in housing the Foodbank distribution centre. Thank you to Anne, Pam, Pauline, Ken, Brian and volunteers from other churches and the community who staff it.

As Christians we are encouraged to feed the hungry and what better way is there than supporting the FoodBank. Volunteers are always welcome. It is a wonderfully uplifting thing to be part of.

Memorial Project

The project was launched in the summer of 2017 and after regular meetings plans were formulated to create a Memorial Book, Memorial Stone and Garden of Reflection. By the end of the summer 2019 the Peace Stone had been positioned and the pathway to it built. We are grateful to the Methodist District for providing £5,000 of funds for these works. A service of dedication for the Peace Stone was held in October.

Simon Jobson Landscapes completed the structural work for the Garden and grant funds of over £5,000 were drawn down from Viridor Credits. Jenny led the gardening team in planting the walls and borders. It will take time for these to develop, but they are already looking good.

In some ways the real work of the project is only just beginning. It is now up to us to encourage the church and community to share in the space and we hope and pray that memorial plaques will begin to be mounted on the wooden pillars.

Note: the dedication of the Garden itself had to be delayed due to COVID restrictions.

Tuesday Evening Prayers

Tuesday evening has traditionally been the day when we have met for prayers in the Chapel. This year we have continued to meet, to praise and to give thanks for God's blessings and to intercede on behalf of the church, our congregation, community and world.

The year started with seven people regularly meeting, two moved away, but just recently we have been pleased to have members of the leadership team join us. Those joining us have found it a special time, set apart for listening, prayer and quiet. We always leave feeling refreshed.

Everyone is welcome to join us for all or part of the evening.

Social and Community Engagement

The aim of this team is to run events and activities that appeal to our own congregation but also appeal to newer people coming into the church, and our local neighbours. We want to encourage newcomers over the church threshold, so that they can see we are just ordinary people trying to lead a Christian life. Our hope is to help foster stronger relationships, through fun and collaboration.

Events that the group organised or supported included:

Gershon Ward & Friends music evening with spiritual element.

Publicity for all events over the last year has continually improved, and is making use of all internal channels such as: ECC reports, Weekly Newssheet, Star, website, notice-boards, café table signs, and Facebook. We have also had items in the local magazine ‘Ewell & Stoneleigh Connection’.

Thank you to everyone who supports these fun events. It’s amazing what we can do whilst socialising and getting to know each other.

Ruxley Star

The Ruxley Star is the church magazine which has been published for many years by a small, but loyal team. After general consultation, it has been decided that the Ruxley Star will now be published every other month so that it fits in with Stoneleigh Methodist Church, enabling us to share the same Minister's letters. It is to be hoped that we can now include more 'home-grown' items and to that end we have ceased subscribing to Parish Pump.

Church Website

Most of what you want to know about the church and its activities are on the Ruxley Church Website. If you have never checked it out before, do have a look. “What's On” is the heading where you will find the Sunday Services, Other Dates for your Diaries, Regular Church Activities, and Activity Programmes. You can also find out about what Community Activities go on in the church throughout the week, as well as present and past issues of the Ruxley Star. Our new Church Profile is now also on line. You can check a rota, see the minutes of the last ECC or even read a copy of last year's AGM Report which you can find on the Members Page. The website is our shop window in today's world, so please take a look and make suggestions.

Brief Financial Review of the Year

Total receipts on the general unrestricted funds were £115,846 of which £39,203 was unrestricted voluntary donations and a further £13,313 was from Gift Aid (please note there had been a delay in processing claims in the previous year which were subsequently claimed this year). £3,173 of other receipts included appeals, fund-raising and other donations. £10,209 was received from non-recurring grants; one for the Memorial Project and the other a diocese COVID support grant. Hall lettings contributed £47,272 –considerably reduced from the previous year due to the pandemic.

£2,600 was spent on grants to charities. £48,967 was spent to provide Christian Ministry through payment of the Parish Share (£25,397) and Circuit Assessment (£23,570). Repairs and maintenance costs were £13,742 and utilities payments were £10,992. £16,634 was spent on administration and cleaning including salaries of the administrator and cleaner (please note that the church received reimbursement of some salary costs through the government furlough scheme). £16,578 was paid towards the Memorial Project, drawing down funds raised in previous years.

Net incoming resources on the general fund were +£2793 leaving a balance carried forward of £67,690.

Please note that the balance held in the various banks by the church exceeds the ‘book balance’ by £471. Our Independent Examiner is aware of this discrepancy and we anticipate resolving the figures in the coming year.

£2,311 was received for, and £2,383 passed on to external charitable organisations giving a total giving of £4,983 which is close to matching of 10% of donations received (please note that closure of the church has impacted these figures).

The outstanding Parish Share is £30,463. With an Anglican minister in post we hope to negotiate with the diocese as to how this figure can be reduced.

Charitable Giving 1.9.19 – 31.8.20

McMillan Cancer Support McMillan charity 727
Helpthe Heroes Thursdaycoffee 100
SudburySchool,Ghana Church Collection 865
All We Can Church Collection 328
The Rainbow Trust Thursdaycoffee 100
All We Can Church Collection 20
Ectodermal Dysplasia Society Thursdaycoffee 100
Epsom and Ewell Foodbank Carol singingdonation 146
Action for Children Church Collection 575
The Children's Society Church Collection 112
CRISIS Thursdaycoffee 100
Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network Social charitydonation 150
Epsom & Ewell Foodbank Social charitydonation 123
Cardiac Risk in the Young Social charitydonation 150
World Dayof Prayer Thursdaycoffee 40
Spinnaker trust Church donation 100
Epsom and Ewell Street Pastors Thursdaycoffee 100
Riverview School leavers crosses Church donation 233
SudburySchool,Ghana Church Collection 80
Methodist Church World Mission Fund Church donation 425
Methodist Homes(MHA) Church donation 170
Mission in Britain Fund Church donation 170
The Methodist Church Fund for Property Church donation 170

Total: £5,084

Report prepared May 2021 by Stephen Kendall (Treasurer) in conjunction with Ruxley Church Leadership Group.

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Ruxlg Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2020 Wlmbledon Clrcult Clrcult no 35126 Registered Charlty . Charity Reglstration number 1174096 If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Rovenu8 and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent lo a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charilable slalus and may be used lo give to donors or grant funders wishing lo see evidence of the organisalion's charitable status, Melhodisl charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242} XR76413 Minister.. Reverend Emma Cusack ChuTch Stewards.. Brian Cockram Jacky Panler Val Proctor Derek Eade Treasurer.. Stephen Kendall P zo15.￿￿

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Ruxley Church Chureh Unrnstrkted RestrlGtqd Fund& Funds Tota￿ thls •ar Totals lut SECTION A RECEIPTS Offering5 an(J Tax recovered Bank and CFB inleresl and Inveslmenl income 52,412 52,412 49.094 a3 195 195 182 a4 Lettin 47.273 47.273 73.736 Other receipt5 TOTAL RECEIPTS 15,716 115,596 250 250 15,966 115.846 4.924 127.936 a6 la71 SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 48.967 4B,967 77.723 b3 Donations 2.601 2,601 2.729 Repairs and Maintenance Vtililies Ilnsurances. water char es. healin 13,742 13.742 18.483 b5 10,992 10.992 10.726 b7 Other ments TOTAL PAYMENTS 36,751 113,053 28.799 138.460 b8 113,053 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a64)8 2.543 250 2,793 10,524 Total funds brought fotward from last year c2 63.042 1,384 64,426 74.950 Sub total c1+c2 65,585 1,634 67.219 64.426 Transfers and ad'ustments CT c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 65,585 1,634 67,219 Ic81 64.426 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATrON ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO &XTERNAL ORGANISATIONS lth•s• amounts arè not to bo Inelud•d In total r•c•Sptslpaym•nts Ilgurés abov•l d1 Balance brought forward from last ygar 292 678 d2 Oflerfn sIGlfts- recelved fof external o anisatlons 2,311 5.391 d3 Offerin sIGifts ssed to extemal or anisations 2,383 5.777 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 220 292 (Thur<h Rand P ?Q15 xly 2of5

Rux Churth SECMON E ThI￿￿er￿￿￿ L￿nP￿knbTr￿e 1c4al5di￿Church IPrEshDW Af4Tr ADFFERENfFc￿Mn￿￿￿u￿￿ IKrERNAL ORtsAtliSAn TRUE L793 07 TOTAL CAsHFu￿$￿LD BYCHURCH 11&4lJ 19 TFN rfrttrE5S￿Ird IF TOTILqECEIPTS TOT IECTION F STATE£MTOF ASSEfsAoLk40iLITIIg QPFWPAG FUWDSNELiS•151 BALAWCE¥ calhi￿￿*n 433ts) 593 4,St2 67,6k¥J LThYlii12 TOTAL USHFUWSIiLDBYCWRC SECTION G QIHÉRAgIETljndLIA￿Tl￿É 31 A￿9￿￿20 3.fj61.247 30.463 J,4&3

L_y C4+ugc_H Declarations and Scrutiny SKJnoturv VKilf fH7 Frebry h1 ¢M 27 - 27-1-la￿l

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the ..Church Charlty Number.............. Re6ponslbllltl#$ and basls of report I reporl to thè Irustees on my examination ol th8 accounls of lh8 .....,......... Churc lor the year ended 31 Augusl 2020 sel oul on pages lo As the Church's Iruslees. you are responsible for the pr8par8tion of the accoun15 in accordance with the rgquiremenls of the Charities Acl 20111.lhe Acl.). I report in respect ol my examination ol the Church's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Acl and, in carrylng out my examination, I havè lollowed all Ihe applicable Diieclions given by Ihe Charily Commission under section 14515llbl ol the Act. d&lete or circle as appropria18 Indep•ndent Examlner'8 SLitomont I have compleled my examinalbon. I conlim Ihat no material matters have Come lo my allenllon in conn&cllon with the examinabon lolher th8n thal disclosed below'l which give me causo lo believe lttat in, 8ny material respecl: Ihe 3ccounling record3 were nol kept in accordance with s8clSon 130 01 the Act,, or Ihè accounls do nol accord With Iha accounting r(¥cc)rds_ I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In ¢onnecllon with the examlnalion lo which attention Should be drawn in Ihi5 report in order lo enable a proper understanding ol Ihe accounls 19 be re8ched. I havelha¥**fiof_ obtained independonl verification of all Investments with the Trustees for Mothodi81 Church Purposes or held in other tTUSts, bank balances and funds al the Central Finance Board of the elhodist Church which are individually in ex¢ess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at Iho balance sheel dale. Signature of independent examiner Name ol independent examiner l NJ R&l&vanl profgssional qualificallon of indeperKlent examlner Name of firm (where apFYopriatel Address l £ Posl Code Dale 18 delete or cfrrdé as appropriate Seplember 2020