Crediton Methodist Church
Annual Report 2020-2021
www.creditonmethodist.org.uk Working out God’s love in Crediton
CreditonMethodist
Annual Report of Crediton Methodist Church For the year ended 31[st] August 2021
Administrative Information:
The Church is registered with the charity commission. Registered Charity Number 1178365. A copy of the accounts by way of Schedule B has been sent to the Synod (via the circuit officer).
The Church address is:- Union Road, Crediton, Devon EX17 3AW. Any correspondence should be directed to the Senior Steward:- Mrs Marjorie Ashley, Oake House, The Tolleys, Crediton EX17 1HG
The Charity Trustees or Managing Trustees are members of the Church Council and the names of members who have served as managing trustees in the year ended 31[st] August 2021 are as follows:
Minister:- Revd Alison Richardson
The Stewards:- Mrs Marjorie Ashley, Mrs Christine Turner, Mrs Hilary Everitt, Mrs Christine Marshall, Mrs Elizabeth Allnutt (resigned 28 April 2021), Mrs Cathy Jerrard (from 28 April 2021), Mrs Pam Murphy (from 28 April 2021) and Mr Glenn Turner (from 28 April 2021).
Leadership Team (to 28 April 2021):- Mrs Hilary Everitt, Mrs Cathy Jerrard, Mrs Pam Murphy, Mr Glenn Turner
Church Secretary:- Mr John Ashley
Treasurer:- Mrs Christine Turner
Pastoral Secretary:- Mrs Pam Murphy
Circuit Steward:- Mrs Meg Privett
Members elected by the General Church Meeting:- Sheila Davison, Meg Ellis, Elizabeth Greenslade, Christine Gregory (resigned 30 June 2021), Wendy Homeshaw, Bronwyn Nott, Robert Richardson (elected 28 April 2021), Alan Sharpe (resigned 28 April 2021), Gill Sutton, Karen Theedom, John Turner (elected 28 April 2021).
The number of members as at 31[st] August 2021 was 97.
The Life of the Church:
The Church Council, Leadership Team (until 28 April 2021) and the Church Stewards oversee the whole of the life of the church. The Church Council meets three times a year. The Church Stewards meet six times a year. The Church Annual General Meeting is held in April.
Sunday Services
10.30am Sunday Morning Worship followed by tea and coffee. 6.30pm Sunday Evening Worship (Held once a month)
Discipleship Groups
7.30pm Twice a month on a Monday 10.30am Every Wednesday
Our Vision
Our vision is of a dynamic worshipping Christian family seeking to play our part in the world-wide mission of God by constantly nurturing, encouraging and supporting one another;
disciples of Jesus Christ committed to praying and learning together;
a congregation radiating God’s love by reaching out to the community, serving the poor and vulnerable, intent on changing the world in partnership with others;
an inclusive group of believers, welcoming all, with a desire to become a living vibrant church, to the glory of God.
-
exploring ways to encourage local ownership of our worship, including greater congregational participation
-
offering a variety of styles of worship to enable all who come to encounter God
-
aiming for excellence in all we offer to God in worship
-
encouraging all members to participate in small groups for Bible study, prayer and mutual support
-
providing appropriate environments for children, young people and adults to grow in the knowledge and love of God
-
offering appropriate pastoral care to each individual within the church family
-
learning of, and being inspired by, the work that God is doing through the church in other regions of the world.
-
identifying needs in the town and surrounding area and finding ways to respond as a church community, and in partnership with others
-
encouraging members to give time and money to meet the needs of others
-
providing support for individuals involved in serving the community
-
developing close links with a particular overseas project and finding appropriate ways to offer support
-
raising awareness and taking action on justice and ethical issues
-
encouraging each member to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others
-
building links between the church and the wider community
-
developing groups out in the community with links back into the church
-
expecting to see church growth and planning accordingly
-
a flexible floor space in the sanctuary for exploring different possibilities for worship
-
open church doors daily, providing a haven and offering a welcome and refreshment
-
a church building that appears non-threatening and is easily accessible to all
-
a multipurpose building for community use throughout the week
Stewards’ Report
Worship
For a significant part of the year because of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, worship was delivered in online format, with a brief window in the Autumn of 2020 when it was possible to meet in person. However, in June 2021, it began to be possible to re-open the building for worship. It was agreed that many had appreciated the online format, especially those at a distance from Crediton and those continuing to shelter or for other health reasons, and so the online services continue, running as a live link from the Church, and also recorded so that they can be accessed later from the website.
A ‘Third Sunday’ team continues to work with Local Preachers and Ministers to put together an allage worship service once a month, that is designed to make the worship experience more accessible to children and young people, parents and the 20s/30s/40s age groups, which are underrepresented in the Church.
Further work on developing the worship experience in the light of the ‘Worship Conversations’ held in late 2019/early 2020 was limited by needing to adapt to the covid situation, but on the other hand, a great deal of experience has been gained in adapting to the AV technology and finding ways doing things differently which will stand us in good stead as we pick up with seeking to implement the findings of the Worship Conversation process.
Youth Work
Covid Restrictions followed by another lockdown in the autumn of 2020 prevented the commencement of youth ministry within the church building. The newly appointed Youth Worker, Richard, who took up his post in November 2020, worked mainly on making local contact with schools, detached youth work in the town in partnership with the Congregational Church, and preparation for the provision of youth activities indoor and outdoor once lockdown ended. Music sessions in the schools were started and graffiti art projects planned. A very successful outdoor after-school project was held on The Green for students at Queen Elizabeth’s Community College on Mondays throughout May.
His work with the young people of the town was soon held in very high regard by the schools and by the Town Council, such that the mayor approached the church to ask if we would give consideration to him spearheading a new Youth Work project across the town. It was agreed by all parties that the most strategic way to go forward was for Richard to be employed by the Town Council in this exciting new venture, and we look forward to seeing this rolled out within our community.
It is hoped shortly to be able to build a team to restart some of the youth ministry activities within the building, especially The Ark and the Big Top.
Looking Ahead
As we come out of restrictions and look to the future, the Leadership Team has identified a number of key strands to consider:
Priorities
-
A need for our worship to be more engaging and accessible to all generations every week, particularly the younger generations who are vastly under represented within our congregations
-
A need to empower people to use their gifts more, and to grow in faith.
-
A need to consider our fellowship, how we can better demonstrate our love for one another and for the wider community.
-
Re-establishing a music/worship band
-
New initiatives/activities that reach out to the community, whether in the building or outside it.
It was recently decided to amalgamate the Stewards and Leadership Teams for the time being, and together we go forward we ask God to guide us in working through these priorities in the coming months.
Minister’s Report
Pastoral. I visited as many people as possible who were housebound, elderly or frail. At first this was in their gardens until we went into another covid lockdown. From this point I continued to visit for a few minutes on doorsteps, or chats through their windows. I called these ‘Door Step Drops’ with a note or letter, and some biscuits or chocolate.
I wrote monthly letters which were circulated or posted to lots of church folk.
Worship. Sunday morning worship was online from my home. There were very few opportunities to actually be at church in person for the whole year.
I provided Mid-Week Worship on Thursday mornings via zoom, these became popular and it gave us an opportunity to worship with members of other churches. One lady joined us regularly from France, two from Millbrook and Revd Mohanty, his wife Bulbal and their family joined us to celebrate World Church Sunday.
We worshiped through the Easter season, with additional services, but did not share Holy Communion.
Bible Study I provided a five week study on World Mission before Christmas 2020. For Easter I provided a Christian Art through Lent study on Sunday evenings at Six.
Fellowship Monday Moments became very popular, very quickly. Again, with folk from around my scattered churches attending via zoom.
My initial thought was fellowship but the sessions evolved into ‘Fellowship, Friendship, Faith and Fun. Lots of fun with mystery items and shared stories. We missed this greatly when the restrictions eased.
Blogs and Vlogs From starting this in my last appointment in Plymouth and having my own website, filming myself for ministry became the norm. I posted an item most weeks, mainly to encourage those watching with their faith. I tried to present a variety of Christian teaching based on scripture or topical issues affecting our communities and the whole world.
Needing to ‘do ministry’ in different ways, during a challenging time proved to be much better than I feared at the beginning. I thank God for opening new doors and bringing new opportunities.
Revd Alison Richardson
Safeguarding
There were two complaints made by parents directly to the minister, Revd Alison Richardson, who then reported these as a Safeguarding incident to the Circuit Superintendent and District Safeguarding Officer. Both Richard, our youth worker, and David, outreach worker at the Congregational Church, gave written reports to the minister. There was no intervention by the police or social services and the safeguarding case was closed after further discussion and recommendations with the youth worker.
There had been a District Internal Investigation the last year and the recommendations from the report on that was that there needs to be far better safeguarding policies and practices in place. An emphasis on supervision of volunteers and training during a 'transition' period must be included as part of their recruitment. The safeguarding officers have been diligent in ensuring that this in now in place.
Financial Information
The accounts have been examined by an independent examiner: Mr P. Kempster The Church’s bank is: NatWest, 59 High Street, Exeter EX4 3DL
Crediton Methodist Church
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31[st] August 2021
General Fund Income and Expenditure
| General Fund | Balances B/f |
2019-2020 | 2019-2020 | Balances C & B/f |
2020-2021 | 2020-2021 | Balances C/f |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | Income | Expenditure | Income | ||||||||
| Church Activities | £13,996.96 | £17,695.07 | ||||||||||
| Offertory | £25,492.55 | £24,194.40 | ||||||||||
| Gift Aid Tax & GASDS | £7,667.51 | £6,182.75 | ||||||||||
| Redvers Flat | £6,309.80 | £3,838.62 | £24.82 | £231.37 | ||||||||
| Flow er Fund | £137.80 | £45.00 | £51.31 | £131.49 | £49.87 | £181.36 | ||||||
| Fund Raising | £53.00 | £132.27 | ||||||||||
| Printing& Stationery | £329.34 | £46.50 | £106.85 | |||||||||
| Pastoral | £40.00 | £26.00 | ||||||||||
| Sundries | £1,964.89 | £888.69 | £4,428.47 | £1,190.19 | ||||||||
| Bank Interest | £136.22 | £34.27 | ||||||||||
| Assessment | £22,500.00 | £30,000.00 | ||||||||||
| Subscriptions / Licenses | £1,970.09 | £1,698.28 | ||||||||||
| YoungPeople(inc Ark etc.) | £10.33 | £65.24 | £80.00 | |||||||||
| Cost of buildinguse | ||||||||||||
| Transfer to/frm Negative funds | ||||||||||||
| Connect | £340.51 | £449.90 | ||||||||||
| Closing Balance (Sub Total) | £41,679.30 | £30,023.80 | £35,093.35 | £33,782.59 | ||||||||
| £11,655.50 | £1,310.76 | |||||||||||
| Property Costs | ||||||||||||
| Hall Bookings | £2,738.17 | £301.00 | ||||||||||
| Cost of buildinguse | ||||||||||||
| Weddings & Funerals | £100.00 | |||||||||||
| Repairs and Renew als | £5,988.61 | £5,093.69 | ||||||||||
| Electricity | £787.56 | £741.55 | ||||||||||
| Gas | £1,384.28 | £1,008.90 | ||||||||||
| Telephone / Broadband | £293.25 | £437.09 | ||||||||||
| Insurance | £1,701.15 | £1,704.13 | ||||||||||
| Water | £540.71 | £566.63 | ||||||||||
| Closing Balance (Sub Total) | £2,738.17 | £10,695.56 | # | £401.00 | £9,551.99 | # | ||||||
| -£7,957.39 | -£9,150.99 | |||||||||||
| Closing Balance | £13,996.96 | £44,417.47 | £40,719.36 | £17,695.07 | £35,494.35 | £43,334.58 | £9,854.84 | |||||
| £3,698.11 | -£7,840.23 |
Summary of Restricted and Charitable Funds
| Restricted Funds | Balances B/f |
2019-2020 | 2019-2020 | Balances C & B/f |
2020-2021 | 2020-2021 | Balances C/f |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | Income | Expenditure | |||||||||
| Benevolent Fund | £126.10 | £1,073.38 | £1,134.59 | £64.89 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £64.89 | |||||
| FridayFellow ship | £513.11 | £427.98 | £357.00 | £584.09 | £0.00 | £180.00 | £404.09 | |||||
| Knit and Natter | £260.85 | £0.00 | £260.85 | £0.00 | ||||||||
| Refurbishment | -£11,129.38 | £73,826.92 | £42,785.42 | £19,912.12 | £3,068.68 | £18,904.65 | £4,076.15 | |||||
| Schools Out FamilyCafé | £0.00 | £240.00 | £29.88 | £210.12 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £210.12 | |||||
| Youth Worker | £440.72 | £25,220.35 | £5,680.45 | £19,980.62 | £39,553.89 | £38,260.78 | £21,273.73 | |||||
| Toddler Group | £207.51 | £246.44 | £211.96 | £241.99 | £48.07 | £24.90 | £265.16 | |||||
| Total Balances held | -£9,581.09 | £101,035.07 | £50,460.15 | £40,993.83 | £42,670.64 | £57,370.33 | £26,294.14 | |||||
| Charitable Fund | Balances B/f |
2019-2020 | Balances C & B/f |
2020-2021 | Balances C/f |
|||||||
| Income | Expenditure | Income | Expenditure | |||||||||
| ACF | £395.40 | £188.83 | £580.00 | £4.23 | £188.75 | £190.00 | £2.98 | |||||
| All We Can | £353.16 | £16.69 | £370.00 | -£0.15 | £0.00 | £0.00 | -£0.15 | |||||
| Christian Aid | £478.10 | £46.65 | £524.00 | £0.75 | £92.00 | £92.00 | £0.75 | |||||
| Causew ay | £51.19 | £31.17 | £0.00 | £82.36 | £12.40 | £0.00 | £94.76 | |||||
| Chat | £154.91 | £58.24 | £210.00 | £3.15 | £24.40 | £10.00 | £17.55 | |||||
| CODE | £40.00 | £0.00 | £40.00 | |||||||||
| Connect | £0.00 | £480.00 | £480.00 | £0.00 | £480.00 | £480.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| Edukid | £6,533.83 | £105.28 | £275.00 | £6,364.11 | £0.00 | £325.00 | £6,039.11 | |||||
| Foodbank | £38.93 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £38.93 | £0.00 | £40.00 | -£1.07 | |||||
| Francisco Rojas School-David | £604.28 | £204.35 | £300.00 | £508.63 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £508.63 | |||||
| JMA | £329.10 | £0.00 | £329.10 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| Meth. Home for the Aged | £240.55 | £158.23 | £395.00 | £3.78 | £25.20 | £30.00 | -£1.02 | |||||
| Missions in Britain | £20.00 | £10.00 | £30.00 | £0.00 | £11.10 | £11.00 | £0.10 | |||||
| MWiB | £107.63 | £19.45 | £125.00 | £2.08 | £181.00 | £27.00 | £156.08 | |||||
| MWiB Local Netw ork | £18.85 | £1.00 | £18.00 | £1.85 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £1.85 | |||||
| Repair Café | £831.10 | £383.17 | £352.70 | £861.57 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £861.57 | |||||
| World Missions | £11.52 | £12.50 | £24.00 | £0.02 | £13.25 | £13.00 | £0.27 | |||||
| Other | £161.25 | £407.30 | £357.00 | £211.55 | £82.50 | £0.00 | £294.05 | |||||
| Total Balances held | £10,329.80 | £2,122.86 | £4,369.80 | £8,082.86 | £1,150.60 | £1,218.00 | £8,015.46 | |||||
| Totals | 2019-20 2020-21 £37,440.33 £13,515.75 £21,973.15 £23,207.42 £7,235.03 £7,244.98 £123.25 £196.29 £66,771.76 £44,164.44 |
|||||||||||
| Bank Balances | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | ||||||||||
| Current Account | £37,440.33 | £13,515.75 | ||||||||||
| Central Finance Board | £21,973.15 | £23,207.42 | ||||||||||
| Central Finance Board 2 | £7,235.03 | £7,244.98 | ||||||||||
| Cash in Hand | £123.25 | £196.29 | ||||||||||
| £66,771.76 | £44,164.44 |
Restricted and Church Group Funds 1[st] September 2020 – 31[st] August 2021
Benevolent Fund
| Opening balance | £ 64.89 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total |
£ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing balance | £ 64.89 |
Flower Fund
| Opening balance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flower Fund Account | £ 117.61 |
||||||
| Cash in Hand | £ 13.88 |
||||||
| Total | £ 131.49 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Donations | £ 40.00 |
||||||
| £ 9.87 |
|||||||
| Total | £ 49.87 |
Total | £ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing balance | |||||||
| Flower Fund Account | £ 117.61 |
||||||
| Cash in Hand | £ 63.75 |
||||||
| Total | £ 181.36 |
Friday Fellowship
| Opening balance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Account | £ 541.55 |
||||||
| Cash in hand | £ 42.54 |
||||||
| Total | £ 584.09 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
Plan International |
£ 180.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total | £ 180.00 |
||||
| Closing balance | |||||||
| FridayFellow Account | £ 361.55 |
||||||
| Cash in hand | £ 42.54 |
||||||
| Closingbalance | £ 404.09 |
Refurbishment Fund
| Opening Balance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designated Fund | £ 2713.29 |
||||||
| Specific Fund | £ -20,117.14 |
||||||
| Restricted Fund | £ 37,315.97 |
||||||
| Total | £ 19,912.12 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Bank Interest | £ 9.87 |
Design Harris MacMillan |
£ 696.00 |
||||
| Donations | £ 100.00 |
Fifields Construction | £ 8,754.50 |
||||
| DCMS/ENG/POW/45159 | £ 1,505.93 |
Quinquennial | £ 7,908.00 |
||||
| Gift Aid Tax | £ 134.88 |
Notice Board | £ 160.00 |
||||
| Refund of VAT | £ 1,318.00 |
Removal and Storage | £ 236.15 |
||||
| Rose Removal to General | £ 1,150.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 3,068.68 |
Total | £ 18,904.65 | ||||
| Closing balance | |||||||
| Designated Fund | £ 1,384.12 |
||||||
| Restricted Fund | £ 2,692.03 |
||||||
| Total | £ 4,076.15 |
Schools Out Family Café
| Opening Balance | £ 210.12 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total | £ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing balance | £ 210.12 |
Toddlers
| Opening balance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Account | £ 225.16 |
||||||
| Cash in Hand | £ 16.83 |
||||||
| Total | £ 241.99 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Subs/Donations | £ 48.07 |
Food/Drinks | £ 17.05 |
||||
| Printing& Stationery | £ 2.85 |
||||||
| Miscellaneous | £ 5.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 48.07 |
Total | £ 24.90 |
||||
| Closing balance | |||||||
| Bank Account | £ 225.16 |
||||||
| Cash in Hand | £ 40.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 265.16 |
Youth Worker Fund
| Opening Balance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PettyCash Float | £ 50.00 |
||||||
| Designated Fund | £ 8,357.91 |
||||||
| Restricted Fund | £ 11,572.71 |
||||||
| Total | £ 19,980.62 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Donations | £ 3,895.15 |
StaffingCosts | £ 19,827.56 |
||||
| Gift Aid Tax | £ 1,011.09 |
Print & Stat | £ 32.88 |
||||
| Gift Day | £ 738.00 |
DBS Richard Martin | £ 40.00 |
||||
| Sale of Cards | £ 210.80 |
National LotteryReturn | £ 10,000.00 |
||||
| Grants | £ 31,995.00 |
Cred.Town Council Rtrn | £ 4,500.00 |
||||
| Interest | £ 0.08 |
Pension | £ 1,768.76 |
||||
| HMRC JRS Covid-19 | £ 1,677.77 |
Budget to work | £ 2,066.58 |
||||
| Transfer | £ 26.00 |
Sundries | £ 25.00 |
||||
| Total | £ 39,553.89 |
Total | £ 38,260.78 |
||||
| Closing balance | |||||||
| PettyCash Float | £ 50.00 |
||||||
| Designated Fund | £ 8,603.11 |
||||||
| Restricted Fund | £ 12,620.62 |
||||||
| Total | £ 21,273.73 |
Charity Funds 1[st] September 2020 – 31[st] August 2021
Action for Children
| Opening Balance | £ 4.23 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Collection | £ 170.00 |
CharityGiving | £ 190.00 |
||||
| Gift Aid Tax | £ 18.75 |
||||||
| Total | £ 188.75 |
Total | £ 190.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 2.98 |
All We Can
| Opening Balance | £ -0.15 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total |
£ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ -0.15 |
Causeway
| Opening Balance | £ 82.36 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee | £ 12.40 |
||||||
| Total | £ 12.40 |
Total | £ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 94.76 |
Charity Other
| Opening Balance | £ 211.55 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| World Dayof Prayer | £ 70.00 |
||||||
| Gift Aid Tax | £ 12.50 |
||||||
| Total | £ 82.50 |
Total | £ 00.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 294.05 |
Christian Aid
| Opening Balance | £ 0.75 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee | £ 17.00 |
Annual Giving |
£ 92.00 |
||||
| CAID Donations | £ 75.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 92.00 |
Total | £ 92.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 0.75 |
CHAT
| T | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance | £ 3.15 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee | £ 17.40 |
Annual Giving |
£ 10.00 |
||||
| Donation | £ 7.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 24.40 |
Total | £ 10.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 17.55 |
CODE
| Opening Balance | £ 0.00 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee | £ 20.00 |
||||||
| Donation | £ 20.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 40.00 |
Total | £ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 40.00 |
Connect
| Opening Balance | £ 0.00 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee Mornings | £ 30.10 |
Contributed |
£ 480.00 |
||||
| Trf to clear negative balance | £ 449.90 |
||||||
| Total | £ 480.00 |
Total | £ 480.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 0.00 |
Edukid
| Opening Balance | £ 6,364.11 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Oscar K. Sponsorship | £ 325.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total | £ 325.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 6,039.11 |
Food Bank
| Opening Balance | £ 38.93 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
Annual Giving |
£ 40.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total | £ 40.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ -1.07 |
Francisco Rojas School
| Opening Balance ‘David’ | £ 508.63 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total |
£ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 508.63 |
MHA
| Opening Balance | £ 3.78 |
||||||
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee Morning | £ 25.20 |
Annual Giving |
£ 30.00 |
||||
| Total | £ 25.20 |
Total | £ 30.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ -1.02 |
Methodist Women in Britain
| Opening Balance ‘MWiB’ | £ 2.08 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Easter OfferingEnvelopes | £ 156.00 |
Annual Giving |
£ 27.00 |
||||
| Donation | £ 10.00 |
||||||
| SaturdayCoffee | £ 15.00 |
||||||
| Total | £ 181.00 |
Total | £ 27.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 156.08 |
Methodist Women in Britain (Local Network)
| Opening Balance ‘MWiB’ | £ 1.85 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total | £ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 1.85 |
Mission in Britain Fund (Home Missions)
| Opening Balance | £ 0.00 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| SaturdayCoffee Morning | £ 11.10 |
Annual Giving | £ 11.00 |
||||
| Total | £ 11.10 |
Total | £ 11.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 0.10 |
Repair Café
| Opening Balance | £ 861.57 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Total | £ 0.00 |
Total |
£ 0.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 861.57 |
World Mission
| Opening Balance | £ 0.02 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | ||||||
| Gift Aid Tax | £ 13.25 |
Annual Giving |
£ 13.00 |
||||
| Total | £ 13.25 |
Total | £ 13.00 |
||||
| Closing Balance | £ 00.27 |
Reserves Policy
The Charity’s Reserves Policy deals with:
(a) Our General Fund
(b) Central Finance Board
Other funds also held which are NOT required to be included in our reserves are:
(c) Central Finance Board 2 (Refurbishment / Property)
(d) Central Finance Board 2 (Youth Worker)
Our Reserves
(a-b) Our General Fund
We aim ideally to hold in reserve sufficient money to cover six month’s expenditure i.e. £25,000 (excluding Cost of building use)
The reason for this is twofold: -
(i) The church needs around one month’s average expenditure in reserve as working capital to cover normal running costs.
(ii) Maintenance on church buildings and special outreach events are mainly funded from fundraising efforts and money is regularly spent in advance of being raised. To cover this, the Church needs a further five months’ in reserve.
As there are insufficient funds in the current account to cover this amount, at present time we can also draw upon monies held in the Central Finance Board. There is a shortfall of £7,300 in our general reserve.
Other Funds held for specific purposes
(c) Central Finance Board 2 (Refurbishment / Property Fund)
We maintain a Refurbishment Fund (held by Central Finance Board) for refurbishment and modification of the premises. This was completed in August 2019, but we still need funds in the account until August 2020 when our final bills will be paid. This has now been signed off and with monies owed being paid. Any monies that are left have been designated as Property, for large projects, as a continued restricted fund
The Refurbishment / Property Fund will continue to be held by Central Finance Board.
(d) Central Finance Board 2 (Youth Worker Fund)
Funding for a two year project for Youth Work was in place and a Youth Worker employed during covid lockdown. Covid was a large factor in how this project developed, with many obstacles to moving forward. The Local Town Council were creating a Youth Services department and offered to take over the Youth Worker for that purpose, which duly happened in June, 8 months after the start of our project. It was an opportunity to re-think our Youth Work and it still continues in the Church with various activities, which were able to start after lockdown finished and is thriving as we go forward.
Youth Worker Fund will continue to be held by Central Finance Board.
Minutes of the Annual General Church Meeting held by video conference on Wednesday 28[th] April 2021
Present: Revd Alison Richardson, John Ashley (Secretary) and 16 members and friends. Apologies: Meg Ellis, Elizabeth Greenslade, Meg Privett, Gill Sutton and Karen Theedom.
The Minister welcomed all those present and opened the meeting with a prayer and a reading from Matthew chapter 28 verses 16 to 20 – The Great Commission.
The Annual Report for 2019/20, which includes the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2020 and the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2020, had been circulated having been previously reviewed and approved in draft by the Church Council at its meeting on 1 February 2021.
Glenn Turner gave a brief summary of the report including the surplus of £3,698 for the year. The Minister thanked all those involved in the preparation of the Annual Report particularly Glenn Turner, as editor.
There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.
The Minister informed the meeting that there is a correction to the Safeguarding Report on the fourth page of the Annual Report for 2019/20. This was a referral which was not deemed to be a serious allegation. She proposed the following amendment to the safeguarding Report to replace the final sentence:
“There was one referral to a statutory body during the year which was not deemed to be a serious allegation but recommendations were made under the guidance of the Minister.”
With this amendment, on the proposal of Christine Marshall, seconded by Bronwyn Nott, the Annual Report for 2019/20 was approved and signed by the Minister.
The Minister gave a brief report. She said that it had not been easy to take over responsibility for this Church, and four other churches in the Circuit, in the midst of the covid pandemic. A similar situation had faced our newly appointed youth worker, Richard Martin. Despite this he has been very successful in outreach around the town on our behalf. He continues to look for ways to reach people in these testing times.
“Becoming minister of many churches all at once is quite overwhelming. I am very grateful to several members of the Church who have given help, support and guidance. It takes a long time to become familiar with church structures. You all knew the way your church functioned. Upon starting on 1[st] September 2020, I automatically looked to the church stewards for an initial meeting expecting much needed information and guidance which would help me learn about your church. I learned that this church has both church stewards and a leadership team, which few churches do in my experience, and I found it confusing to understand the roles and responsibility of each. I now know that the leadership team is not responsible for governance and that they are more focused on the worshipping community encouraging, supporting and enabling the leadership of others.
“Ministering during covid and an extensive lockdown has been difficult. I look forward to serving God with a ministry which I feel called here to do, pastoral, word and sacrament across all of my churches and my sincere thanks to all those who serve God in the pastoral context. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Telephone calls, drop-by visits and cards have meant that especially the most vulnerable have known that they are valued and cared for. When all of my churches reopen I will obviously spend more time attending their activities than has been possible so far. I hope to cover ministry in Crediton over two days of the week leaving three days for my other five churches because, although Whiddon Down is a class, they are a community and, although Crockernwell has closed, they are still in my pastoral care. So my love to you all in Jesus and I am looking forward sincerely to being in your company face to face very soon.”
The Minister outlined the role and responsibilities of church stewards and commented that, as a church steward, you will rely a great deal on your organizing strengths and deep reserves of patience. She thanked the church stewards for being stewards during this difficult period and, especially Liz Allnutt, as she does not wish to be re-appointed. Our sincere thanks for the many years of service that she has given.
The Minister confirmed that the remaining church stewards, Marjorie Ashley, as senior steward, Tina Turner, Hilary Everitt and Christine Marshall are willing to offer to serve God as church stewards for the next year. The Minister added that it would be wonderful to have one or two more stewards and hoped that there would be members prepared to join the team.
The Secretary outlined the origins of the leadership team and its constitution. It was created by Revd Ann Varker at the Annual General Church Meeting in 2011 to separate the role of the church stewards into the leadership team, that would perceive and implement our church’s vision, with the church stewards being responsible for practical arrangements for worship.
In subsequent years, the leadership team has set and monitored targets to enable the church to achieve its vision, reporting each year to the church council. From time to time the leadership team has been instructed by the church council to undertake specific tasks, such as the recent worship conversations, to work alongside the church stewards in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Having previously referred to the apparent confusion over the roles and responsibilities of the church stewards and the leadership team, the Minister suggested combining the two teams and asked if members of the leadership team would like to be considered and approved as church stewards because much of their work has been within the context of a church steward. The members of the leadership team are Hilary Everitt, Cathy Jerrard, Pam Murphy and Glenn Turner.
There followed a lengthy discussion on the roles and relationships of the church stewards and leadership team and the advantages and disadvantages of combining the two groups during which the Minister reminded the meeting that, according to Methodist policies, it is the church stewards that have the full authority to meet those requirements and act on behalf of the church council.
At the end of the discussions it was agreed, on the proposal of the Minister, seconded by the Secretary, that the members of the leadership team become church stewards on the understanding that that some of the church stewards may not be able to carry out all of the normal duties, such as the vestry element of the role, as they have other commitments on a Sunday, such as preaching appointments or acting as presenters for worship on the web.
The Secretary outlined the role of the managing trustees which can be found on the Methodist Church website.
The Minister thanked those who are willing to serve and be re-elected as representatives to the church council for the next year. They are Sheila Davison, Meg Ellis, Elizabeth Greenslade, Christine Gregory, Wendy Homeshaw, Bronwyn Nott, Gill Sutton and Karen Theedom. During the year Alan Sharpe has resigned for health reasons and he was thanked for his work on the church council covering many years.
A nomination to elect Bob Richardson as a representative to church council has been proposed by Bronwyn Nott, seconded by Pam Murphy. His nomination was approved.
It was pointed out that John Turner, the youth representative on church council, is now 18 and can be elected as a representative. His nomination was proposed by Christine Marshall and seconded by Marjorie Ashley. His nomination was approved.
No election is necessary as the number of candidates is less than the 15 places for elected representatives. The church council members for the coming year are:
Ex officio members Church stewards Elected members The Minister Marjorie Ashley Sheila Davison John Ashley (Secretary) Hilary Everitt Meg Ellis Meg Privett (Circuit steward) Cathy Jerrard Elizabeth Greenslade Christine Marshall Christine Gregory Pam Murphy Wendy Homeshaw Tina Turner Bronwyn Nott Glenn Turner Bob Richardson Gill Sutton Karen Theedom John Turner
The Minister referred to the vacancy for a safeguarding officer, a role which she is currently filling on a temporary basis until a volunteer with training at the advanced level comes forward. Ministers are not permitted to act as safeguarding officers and it is not a position that she wants to hold. The delay in organising the training due to the pandemic restrictions has delayed the process but it is essential that the position is filled by a lay person from within the church otherwise it may be necessary to employ a safeguarding officer which would have cost implications.
The meeting closed with a prayer..