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2025-08-31-accounts

Crediton Methodist Church

Annual Report 2024-2025

www.creditonmethodist.org.uk

Working out God’s love in Crediton

Annual Report of Crediton Methodist Church For the year ended 31[st] August 2025

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, 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 2025 are as follows:

Minister: Revd Ben Haslam

The Stewards: Marjorie Ashley, Hilary Everitt, Cathy Jerrard, Pam Murphy, Gill Sutton, Christine Turner and Glenn Turner

Church Secretary: John Ashley Treasurer: Christine Turner Pastoral Secretary: Pam Murphy Circuit Steward:- Sue Jones Members elected by the General Church Meeting: Meg Ellis, Elizabeth Greenslade, Wendy Homeshaw, Bronwyn Nott, Karen Theedom and Lloyd Smale.

The number of members at 31[st] August 2025 was 61

The Life of the Church:

The Church Council 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 Annual General Church Meeting is held in April or May.

Sunday Services

10.30am Sunday Morning Worship followed by tea and coffee.

6.30pm Sunday Evening Worship (Held once a month except in January, February and March)

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.

We envisage

Stewards Report

In September we welcomed Revd Ben Haslam, our new minister, when we shared a lunch after Morning Worship.

The worship pattern has continued with Café Church on 1[st] Sundays and Church4All on 3[rd] , allowing participation in services by congregation members as well as designated preachers. During Jan, Feb and March there were no evening services due to dark evenings being difficult for people going out and an ageing congregation.

Friday Focus has been meeting monthly, and it has been well attended and appreciated as a midweek meeting. The two discipleship groups have been gathering, one weekly and the other fortnightly.

Monthly care home services have been led at Hillbrow House and are much appreciated. The Held Together ecumenical services, led by Anna chaplains, have continued, providing thought and inspiration for some of our older members and their carers. The Big Top youth club has been offering opportunities for Years 6 and 7 children to have a time of relaxation, sport and creativity weekly. It is well supported.

We enjoyed two Away Days, led by Revd Ben. They were spent at Topsham MC and Budleigh MC, giving opportunity for relaxation, discussion and fellowship. We have been actively involved with CTiC for Walk of Witness on Good Friday, World Day of Prayer (which we hosted) and Songs of Praise in Newcombes Meadow including a picnic.

Our social activities have included a couple of Tabletop Sales, an exhibition of occupations with flowers, film nights, a beetle drive and a display of the 12 days of Christmas leading up to Christmas. We were delighted to arrange an Accreditation Service for Cathy Jerrard as a Local Preacher. This was attended by many from circuit and was concluded with tea and cake. The weekly coffee mornings on Fridays and Saturdays have continued, providing a warm space on Fridays and fellowship on Saturdays when we support several different charities (CODE, Connect, World Mission, CHAT, Methodist Women in Britain, All We Can and the Disaster Fund). We contributed to CREE by filling shoeboxes for delivery in Eastern Europe and we have supported the District Partnership with North India.

We began our planning for appointing a Lay Pastor at Crediton so that we will have some support for our mission and outreach within the community as we no longer have a resident minister.

Safeguarding

The Church reviews its safeguarding policies annually in November.

The Church regularly reviews the training records and identifies those who need to update their safeguarding training. Those needing additional training have attended either the basic or advanced courses.

There continues to be one safeguarding concern which is being closely monitored by a small group chaired by the Circuit safeguarding officer Meetings have been held with the subject of concern and safeguarding procedures have been agreed. The District Safeguarding Officer continues to be actively involved in this case.

There have been some minor concerns about the actions of a youth who attends various events and some Sunday services. Safeguarding procedures have been implemented for this situation which is monitored by members of the Church safeguarding group.

John Ashley Church Safeguarding Officer

Financial Information

The accounts have been examined by an independent examiner: Mr T. Bridle The Church bankers are:

NatWest, 59 High Street, Exeter EX4 3DL

Central Finance Board, 25 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF

Crediton Methodist Church

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended August 31[st] 2025

General Fund Income and Expenditure

----- Start of picture text -----
Balances Balances Balances
General Fund 2023-2024 2024-2025
B/f C & B/f C/f
Income Expenditure Income Expenditure Income
Church Activities £17,221.62 £77,301.57 £68,497.73
Offertory £25,409.02 £22,837.30
Gift Aid Tax & GASDS £7,023.10 £6,245.88
Gift Day
Flower Fund £170.05 £170.05 £20.00 £12.00 £178.05
Fund Raising £3,308.94 £2,587.58
Printing & Stationery £4.15 £159.44 £4.15 £194.88
Pastoral
Sundries £59,809.80 £902.69 £4,116.33 £2,087.21
Bank Interest £2,365.77 £4,205.29
Assessment £23,172.00 £23,172.00
Subscriptions / Licenses £1,453.90 £1,780.52
Hall Bookings £3,292.00 £5,692.00
Weddings & Funerals £338.50
Repairs and Renewals £11,893.82 £20,868.10 £20,805.05
Electricity £1,021.67 £2,198.13
Gas £2,517.86 £979.78
Telephone / Broadband £443.36 £280.42
Insurance £2,132.42 £2,189.34
Water £693.71 £805.04
Transfer to/frm Negative funds
Closing Balance £17,391.67 £113,445.10 £53,365.15 £77,471.62 £45,708.53 £54,504.37 £68,675.78
£60,079.95 -£8,795.84
----- End of picture text -----

Summary of Restricted and Charitable Funds

----- Start of picture text -----
Balances Balances Balances
Restricted Funds 2023-2024 2024-2025
B/f C & B/f C/f
Income Expenditure Income Expenditure
Benevolent Fund £438.32 £273.89 £712.21 £92.25 £804.46
Friday Fellowship £44.09 £44.09 £0.00
Friday Focus £174.70 £211.39 £386.09 £164.20 £150.00 £400.29
Property / Refurbishment £4,435.78 £394.32 £4,830.10 £359.44 £5,189.54
Schools Out Family Café £210.12 £210.12 £210.12 £0.00
Youth Worker £25,013.55 £1,183.50 £3,471.23 £22,725.82 £1,200.12 £3,146.18 £20,779.76
Total Balances held £30,316.56 £2,063.10 £3,515.32 £28,864.34 £1,816.01 £3,506.30 £27,174.05
Balances Balances Balances
Charitable Fund 2023-2024 2024-2025
B/f C & B/f C/f
Income Expenditure Income Expenditure
Action for Children £1.04 £300.43 £301.47 £218.10 £515.00 £4.57
All We Can £0.50 £76.84 £77.34 £214.25 £205.00 £86.59
Christian Aid £0.61 £133.58 £130.00 £4.19 £65.00 £65.00 £4.19
Causeway £2.25 £2.25 £2.25
Chat £0.40 £127.26 £127.66 £55.54 £183.00 £0.20
CODE £42.15 £101.81 £102.50 £41.46 £0.00 £0.00 £41.46
Connect £0.00 £73.40 £73.40 £210.78 £200.00 £84.18
Diaster Emergency Fund £426.34 £199.08 £25.00 £600.42 £51.98 £652.40
Edukid £5,439.11 £275.00 £5,164.11 £300.00 £4,864.11
Foodbank -£1.07 £74.00 £72.93 £72.93
Francisco Rojas School-David £225.74 £224.87 £450.61 £450.61 £0.00
Meth. Home for the Aged -£0.29 £249.10 £248.81 £231.62 £480.00 £0.43
Missions in Britain £0.60 £94.73 £95.33 £57.88 £145.00 £8.21
MWiB £10.17 £115.66 £125.83 £102.65 £220.00 £8.48
Repair Café £861.57 £861.57 £861.57
World Missions £1.47 £172.58 £105.25 £68.80 £121.37 £130.00 £60.17
Other £65.00 £0.00 £0.00 £65.00 £65.00
Total Balances held £7,075.59 £1,943.34 £637.75 £8,381.18 £1,329.17 £2,893.61 £6,816.74
Bank Balances 2023-24 2024-25
Current Account £15,344.02 £7,892.72
Central Finance Board £91,360.25 £86,393.54
Central Finance Board 2 £7,922.43 £8,281.87
Cash in Hand £90.44 £98.44
Totals £114,717.14 £102,666.57
----- End of picture text -----

Restricted and Church Group Funds 1[st] September 2024 – 31[st] August 2025

Benevolent Fund

Opening balance £
712.21
Income Expenditure
SundayCoffee £
83.00
Gift Aid Tax 9.25
Total £
92.25
Total £
0.00
Closing balance £
804.46

Flower Fund

Opening balance
Flower Fund Account £
129.61
Cash in Hand £
40.44
Total £
170.05
Income Expenditure
Donation £20.00
Total £
20.00
Total £
12.00
Closing balance
Flower Fund Account £
129.61
Cash in Hand £
48.44
Closingbalance £
178.05

Friday Focus

Opening balance
Bank Account £
386.09
Total openingbalance £
386.09
Income Expenditure
Donations £
164.20
Fund for Heating £ 150.00
Total £
164.20
Total £
150.00
Closing balance
FridayFellow Account £
400.29
Total closing balance £
400.29
erty Fund
Opening Balance
Designated Fund £
2,138.07
Restricted Fund £
2,692.03
Total openingbalance £
4,830.10
Income Expenditure
Bank Interest £
359.44
Total £
359.44
Total £
0.00
Closing balance
Designated Fund £
2,497.51
Restricted Fund £
2,692.03
Total closingbalance £
5,189.54

Property Fund

Schools Out Family Café

Opening Balance £
210.12
Income Expenditure
transfer to Y/W £ 210.12
Total £
00.00
Total £
210.12
Closing balance £
00.00

Youth Worker Fund

Opening Balance
PettyCash Float £
50.00
Designated Fund £
9,743.20
Restricted Fund £12,932.62
Total openingbalance £ 22,725.82
Income Expenditure
Donations £
480.00
Budget to work £ 3,146.18
Gift Aid Tax £
162.00
Gift Day £
348.00
Transfer from SOFC £ 210.12
Total £
1,200.12
Total £
3,146.18
Closing balance
PettyCash Float £
50.00
Designated Fund £ 10,031.20
Restricted Fund £ 10,698.56
Total closing balance £ 20,779.76

Charity Funds 1[st] September 2024 – 31[st] August 2025

Action for Children

Opening Balance £
301.47
Income Expenditure
Coffee - Collection £
205.10
CharityGiving24 £
300.00
Gift Aid Tax £
13.00
CharityGiving25 £ 215.00
Total £
218.10
Total £
515.00
Closing Balance £
4.57

All We Can

Opening Balance £
77.34
Income Expenditure
SaturdayCoffee £
210.75
CharityGiving24 £ 75.00
Gift Aid Tax £
3.50
CharityGiving25 £ 130.00
Total £
214.25
Total £
205.00
Closing Balance £
86.59

Causeway

Opening Balance £
2.25
Income Expenditure
Total £
0.00
Total £
0.00
Closing Balance £
2.25

Charity Other

Opening Balance £
65.00
Income Expenditure
Total £
0.00
Total £
0.00
Closing Balance £
65.00

Christian Aid

Opening Balance £
4.19
Income Expenditure
SaturdayCoffee £
15.00
Annual Giving25 £ 65.00
Christian Aid Fund Raising £
50.00
Total £
65.00
Total £
65.00
£
4.19

CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team)

Opening Balance £
127.66
Income Expenditure
SaturdayCoffee £
50.29
Annual Giving24 £
120.00
Gift Aid Tax £
5.25
Annual Giving25 £ 63.00
Total £
55.54
Total £
183.00
Closing Balance £
.20

CODE

Opening Balance £
41.46
Income Expenditure
Total £
00.00
Total £
00.00
Closing Balance £
41.46

Connect

Opening Balance £
73.40
Income Expenditure
Gift Aid Tax £
10.75
Annual Giving £
200.00
SundayCoffee £
Total £
210.78
Total £
200.00
Closing Balance £
84.18

Disaster Emergency Fund

Opening balance £
600.42
Income Expenditure
Sat/Sun coffee £
49.10
Gift Aid Tax £
2.88
Total £
51.98
Total £
00.00
Closing balance £
652.40

Edukid

Opening Balance £
5,164.11
Income Expenditure
Oscar K. Sponsorship £
300.00
Total £
0.00
Total £
300.00
Closing Balance £
4,864.11

Food Bank

Opening Balance £
72.93
Income Expenditure
Total £
00.00
Total £
0.00
Closing Balance £
72.93

Francisco Rojas School

Opening Balance ‘David’ £
450.61
Income Expenditure
David in Peru £
300.00
Frs. School £
150.61
Total £
00.00
Total £
450.61
Closing Balance £
00.00
(Methodist Homes)
Opening Balance £
248.81
Income Expenditure
SundayCoffee £
221.24
Annual Giving2024 £ 240.00
Gift Aid Tax £
10.38
Annual Giving2025 £ 240.00
Total £
231.62
Total £
480.00
Closing Balance £
.43

MHA (Methodist Homes)

Methodist Women in Britain

Opening Balance ‘MWiB’ £
125.83
Income Expenditure
Gift Aid Tax £
4.25
Annual Giving2024 £
120.00
SaturdayCoffee £
98.40
Annual Giving2025 £
100.00
Total £
102.65
Total £
220.00
Closing Balance
£
8.48

Mission in Britain Fund (Home Missions)

Opening Balance £
95.33
Income Expenditure
SaturdayCoffee Morning £
53.00
Annual Giving2024 £
90.00
Gift Aid Tax £
4.88
Annual Giving2025 £ 55.00
Total £
57.88
Total £
145.00
Closing Balance £
8.21

Repair Café

Opening Balance £
861.57
Income Expenditure
Total £
0.00
Total £
0.00
Closing Balance £
861.57

World Mission

Opening Balance £
68.80
Income Expenditure
Easter Offering £ Annual Giving2024 £ 65.00
SaturdayCoffee £
58.62
Annual Giving2025 £ 65.00
Gift Aid Tax £
2.75
Total £
121.37
Total £ 130.00
Closing Balance £
60.17

lndependent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Crediton Methodist Church

Charity Number 1178365

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Crediton Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the Act.

Church Receipts and Payments

I confirm that these Receipts and Payments based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

I have obtained by review of statements independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.

independent examiner

Name of independent examiner: Terry Bridle

Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner: FMAAT

Address: 123 Greystone Walk, Cullompton EX15 1GZ

Date of report: 9[th] December 2025

Reserves Policy

The Charity’s Reserves Policy deals with:

Other funds also held which are NOT required to be included in our reserves are:

Our Reserves

(a-b) Our General Fund

We aim ideally to hold in reserve sufficient money to cover six month’s expenditure i.e. £27,000 (excluding Cost of building use)

The reason for this is twofold: -

There are insufficient funds in the current account to cover this amount, but we can also draw upon monies held in the Central Finance Board.

Other Funds held for specific purposes

(c) Central Finance Board 2 (Property Fund)

We maintain a Property Fund (held by Central Finance Board) for the upkeep of the premises. and for large projects on the property.

The Property Fund will continue to be held by Central Finance.

(d) Central Finance Board 2 (Youth Worker Fund)

To cover the cost of our Youth Work activities. Youth Worker Fund will continue to be held by Central Finance.

Minutes of the Annual General Church Meeting held at Crediton Methodist Church on Saturday 25[th] May 2025

Present: Revd Ben Haslam, John Ashley (Secretary) and 18 members and friends.

Apologies: Gill Sutton and Karen Theedom

The Minister welcomed all those present and opened the meeting with a prayer.

The Annual Report for 2023/24, which includes the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2024 and the minutes of the meeting held on 19[th] May 2024, had been circulated having been previously reviewed and approved by the Church Council.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19[th] May 2024

On the proposal of Bronwyn Nott, seconded by Marjorie Ashley, the minutes of the meeting held on 19[th] May 2024 were approved by the meeting.

Annual Report

As the Annual Report related to the year ended 31[st] August 2024 when the minister was Revd Alison Richardson, the Secretary gave a brief review of the Annual Report. 2023/24 had been a busy year for activities happening both inside and outside the Church. Inside, the variety of worship styles attracts a good number of people on Sundays. Café Church has been appreciated and successful. The Warm Spaces initiative has been continued all through the year in the belief that all who attend enjoy the regular company as much as the coffee, if not more. Saturday coffee mornings continue to be popular and donations financially support various charities at home and abroad.

Outside the Church there have been a few opportunities for mission and outreach but there is a need for more. There have been discussions during the year under review with representatives from Rediscovery Church which is based in Exeter. They are looking to plant a new church in Crediton and have recently attended a meeting of Churches Together in Crediton.

Tina Turner and Glenn Turner commented briefly on the financial situation. Outgoings continue to be more than amounts received. There is therefore a need for increased giving and fund raising. However, at 31[st] August 2024, the financial situation of the Church had improved as a result of receiving a substantial legacy during the year. Therefore, the Church is not maintaining its financial position.

The outside of the Church is to be painted and the contractor will start work on 16[th] June. The legacy has enabled this work to be funded.

Bronwyn Nott asked if there any plans for a Gift Day. This was discussed at the Church Council earlier this month and the Stewards will decide on an appropriate date, possibly to coincide with harvest.

The Minister thanked Tina Turner and Glenn Turner for maintaining the financial records and also all those involved in the preparation of the Annual Report.

On the proposal of Glenn Turner, seconded by Bronwyn Nott, the Annual Report for 2023/24 was approved and signed by the Minister.

Church Stewards

The Minister sincerely thanked the church stewards for their continued commitment. On the proposal of Meg Ellis, seconded by Wendy Homeshaw, the appointments of Marjorie Ashley, Hilary Everitt, Cathy Jerrard, Pam Murphy, Gill Sutton, Tina Turner and Glenn Turner as church stewards for 2025/26 were approved. Marjorie Ashley made a request for new stewards to support the team.

Church Council

The Minister thanked those who have served on the Church Council and reminded the meeting that up to fifteen members of the Church can be elected to represent the church family. Those willing to serve and be re-elected as representatives to the Church Council for the next year are Meg Ellis, Elizabeth Greenslade, Wendy Homeshaw, Bronwyn Nott, Karen Theedom and Lloyd Smale.

The Minister invited further nominations for the Church Council as there are a further nine vacancies. As there were no additional nominations the six nominees are automatically elected to serve on the Church Council for 2025/26.

The Church Council members for the coming year are:

Ex officio members
The Minister
John Ashley
(Church Council Secretary)
Sue Jones (Circuit steward)
Church stewards
Marjorie Ashley
Hilary Everitt
Cathy Jerrard
Pam Murphy
(Pastoral Secretary)
Gill Sutton
Tina Turner (Treasurer)
Glenn Turner
Elected members
Meg Ellis
Elizabeth Greenslade
Wendy Homeshaw
Bronwyn Nott
Karen Theedom
Lloyd Smale

The Minister also thanked the many others who volunteer in various roles for the Church Lay Pastor

The advertisement for a part time lay pastor for this Church from September this year is now in circulation. The closing date for applications is 4[th] June with interviews taking place the following week. This is a Circuit appointment.

There being no other business, the meeting closed with the grace.