| Tewkesbury Methodist Church The Cross Church Street Tewkesbury GL20 5PA |
Charity Registraton Number 1179000 Financial Year FY24-25 September 2024 – August 2025 |
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Tewkesbury Methodist Church report for Connexional year 24/25
Tewkesbury Methodist church continues to uphold its mission and vision as an inclusive church which seeks to welcome all. As part of this the Welcome Space project has been a particular vision that the church has been trying to bring to fruition since just before covid. However, with the event of lockdown and other obstacles along the way, our initial and somewhat extensive plans have now been shelved and a new way forward identified as outlined below. Since the start of the project we have lost some members, gained new ones and made friends along the way with some who worship with us but who are not ready to make the commitment to membership just yet. We are aware of a general decline in numbers but also aware of the new initiatives offered by connexion. We believe that once our welcome space project is finally complete, we will be set up to move towards phase 2 which is about actively engaging and inviting people in to use the space and deepening our culture of inclusivity.
Welcome Space Project
Plans to revise the welcome space project, in order to reduce the costs were developed with three main areas in mind. These were the access to the guild room which would make it more user friendly and with its own access from the rear would ensure greater potential for letting. Also, as storage is a challenge for the church and for our hirers the revised plans intended to offer much more storage space at the front entrance to the hall. The revised plans continued to place a servery at the front entrance of the worship area and include office space and better access to the balcony. Tender invitations went out with the hope that work might start in the summer/autumn of 2025.
Lay worker
In Spring of 2025 we were pleased to welcome our new Lay Worker who has 2 main areas of work within her job description. The first being to support the pastoral work of the church and the second, to work on phase 2 of the welcome space project which will involve engaging possible partnerships, enabling letting of the new space we are able to offer on completion of phase 1 and to generally engage with the surrounding community in outreach.
The lay worker was appointed and funded by the circuit in recognition of the workload taken on by the minister who has now also been appointed as superintendent of the circuit.
Mid-week Communion and Bible Club
Two new meetings were set up the first being a mid-week communion every 1st and 3rd Wednesday. This seems to be well attended so far. We also began a bible club on Saturday mornings. This has not attracted many so far but it may be that Saturdays are not the right day for this particular group.
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| Tewkesbury Methodist Church The Cross Church Street Tewkesbury GL20 5PA |
Charity Registraton Number 1179000 Financial Year FY24-25 September 2024 – August 2025 |
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Other Groups
We have two ‘house’ groups that meet. One is a monthly group that meets on a Sunday morning at 9.00 and is a place for sharing, reflecting and for praise. The other is held in a
residential community where many of our members live and is for bible study, sharing and reflection and bible study.
We also have a book club, men's supper group, singing and performance group who put on excellent shows. There is a craft club, a women’s group, and an eco group who are holding the church to account and helping us to move towards our gold eco award.
Worship
Our public services continue with our monthly breakfast club and our traditional weekly Sunday morning service. As mentioned, midweek communion is now also a part of our worship offering.
Annual Away day
The church held its annual away day at Holland House. This offers church friends and members a day together for peaceful reflection and fellowship in a beautiful riverside setting and is always well received.
Property
Our property is well looked after and maintained by a highly competent and knowledgeable property team who meet regularly, keep a record of and attend to the jobs that need doing. The church owns a cottage which we are preparing to let once again now that all flood repairs have been made. We will be making a decision as to whether to continue to let or to sell the cottage going forward.
Hospitality
We are open for coffee every Saturday morning and this is becoming an increasingly popular venue to meet, chat and share coffee and cake. We also hold large church family lunches such as Christmas and harvest as well as occasional afternoon teas, one of which is for the whole section of churches which Tewkesbury MC is a part of. We are blessed with a dedicated catering team which ensures we have an excellent reputation for hospitality.
Finances
Report and accounts attached.
Reverend Jayne E. Webb
Minister, Tewkesbury Methodist Church
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| Tewkesbury Methodist Church The Cross Church Street Tewkesbury GL20 5PA |
Charity Registraton Number 1179000 Financial Year FY24-25 September 2024 – August 2025 |
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Aims of The Methodist Church
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
- Worship
o The Church exists to increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love
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Learning and Caring
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The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care
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Service
o The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
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Evangelism
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The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ
Governance of the Methodist Church
The Methodist Church’s governing documents can be found in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline Volumes 1 and 2 at the link below. In particular Volume 2, ‘Part 6, The Local Churches’.
htps://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/governance/cpd/
Treasurer Report for 1[st] September 2024 until 31[st] August 2025
The total receipts on unrestricted income received between 1[st] September 2024 until 31[st] August 2025 was £81,683. The unrestricted expenditure for the same period is £92,101, Overall, this leaves an unrestricted loss of £10,417. However, £17,650 of TMC’s unrestricted income during this period were kind, generous ‘one-off’ donations from members of the congregation. Without these, TMC would made a £28K loss.
The Welcome Space project was setup to explore how TMC’s premises could be altered to better suit the needs of the community, in order to fully utilise the space and attract increased room lettings. TMC received a grant of £120,000 towards the project from the Benefact Trust in November 2022. However, in August 2023, the plans to begin the alterations were halted due to concerns about the costs and
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| Tewkesbury Methodist Church The Cross Church Street Tewkesbury GL20 5PA |
Charity Registraton Number 1179000 Financial Year FY24-25 September 2024 – August 2025 |
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timescales. The Benefact Trust were informed and kindly gave permission for TMC to retain their grant for up to 2 years (from receipt), to allow TMC to formulate an amended plan.
TMC contracted new architects (PSK) created plans for a revised, much reduced scheme. The Benefact Trust agreed to grant the reduced scheme £48,000. Consequently, TMC returned £72,000 of the initial Benefact Trust £120,000 grant in November 2024, retaining £48,000. TMC also appointed a fund raiser in May 2025 to assist the Welcome Space team to apply for grants for the project.
Lloyds and TSB are the only banks with branches still open in Tewkesbury. This is problematic for those without internet banking.
Other than our two cleaners (who job share) and Minister (Rev. Jayne Webb), TMC is entirely run by volunteers from the Church membership. We welcomed a new Lay Worker to support our Minister in May 2025 but her wages are paid by Circuit; TMC only pay her expenses.
The final TMC accounts were submitted to its governing body, the Church Council, on the 24th February 2026. These were the final amounts emailed by our accountant although the actual accounts were collected from the accountant the following day. The accounts were finally signed by Rev Jayne Webb at the Finance and Property meeting, 5[th] May 2026. (Draft accounts were submitted to the autumn Church Council held on 4[th] November 2025.)
The RESERVES POLICY is the recommended minimum amount TMC retains to cover 6 months of essential expenditure. Employing two cleaners who job share, (who between them work 10 hours per week) this is estimated currently at £16,650 excluding the monthly assessment paid to Methodist Gloucestershire circuit. (Circuit set TMC’s assessment at £4113 pcm for September 2024 – August 2025.) If TMC has 3 months or less of operating funds, Circuit must be advised.
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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Tewkesbu Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED Sunday, August 31, 2025 Gloucegtershire Clrcutt Circuii no. 07107 Reglstored Charlty - Charlty R•glstratlon numb•r If not a r8gist8red chartty HI$ MaJo8ty• R•vonu• and Customs Gfft Ald numbèr (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in temis of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see eviden* of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist Charit in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2021 No.55) 1179000 Minister. Rev. Ja ne Webb Church Stewards: Mrs. Linda Salli8 Mrs. Jean Davies Mrs. W&)dy Allen Mrs. Gill Shelley Treasurer. Mrs. Julie May Co•Treasurer. Mrs. Carol Smith 1- ChUrCh-reIpts-anwrnen2O2&ts25 ajm latest.8 1of5
Accouplfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Tewkesbury Church T¢>tsls last ECTION A Fund Funds RECEIPTS Note Offefi s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investrnent IrMe 47,2 47,248 53,45 a3 2.125 9,398 11410 Letti 9.73 Other recei 15 OTAL RECEIPTS 430 43 81,68 82,113 la71 76,38 SECTION B PAYMENTS ircuit Asse5sm8nt or Share 49, 10. 49.356 Donatsons 10. Re airs and Maintenance utilitses Ilnsurances, water harges, healing & IKdhting} 18,29 18,29 12.038 11,48 11,42 other ments TOTAL PAYMENTS 510 92.101 51 92.611 Ib91 70,40 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 10,417 80 10.497 5,987 Total funds brought forward frerfn last year 67,111 c6 61,124 Sub total c1•c2 10.417 80 56,61 67,111 ransfers and ad. ustments c71 OTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4) 110.417 {80 56.61 Ic81 67.111 SECTION O OR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO ExfERNAL ORGANISATIONS the80 amounts ar• not lo bo In¢ludod In totsl rntel rns abovo) alan brou hl fopKdrd from last eri &IGifts. received for extemal o 2.888 1,69 sIGifts - assed to external anisathjns ALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 2of5
Te$bU Church CH ng. Nrlethatthefun08 of Uor¢VrEh Tnmt Furnl 81 16 .819 152.6 73.B1 Subtyal ol Intwl 17. 154,44 •11 75.708 2. totah OTAL CASH FUFa)S L0 YC ¢7 132 321 TOTL Rec&prs OTL AYIIENf8 CMOM F CIWRCH. CA8HFuifA IMD •iJi 611 67,1 56.81 TAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CTrWRCH 221 ECTIOII Q At 31 2026 OTrIEFI A88Efs Ind LiABWIES 3L45
Name of Church ...Tewkesbury Methodist Church.................. No...070724 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have b88n pr8pared from the records of the Church and thal they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer .. Name and address of treasurer . -r.A.w.l.AY., IE.yJ.K£Sfyo).K.Y. ...G.LQS.. Post COdeGL2I..&y Presentatlon to the Church trustses I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 werehvill be. Dresented to the meetino of the Church truste8s held on . Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting 47.IUÉ......É...wJ.ÉJ£.. Dat......5..5. 1& Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustses of the Tewkesbury Methodlst Church Charlty Number 1179000 Respon8lbllltles and basi$ of roport I report to the trustees on my examination of accounts of the . Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages .1. to .S. As the Church's tees, 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 examinatFon of the Church's accounts Cale out under section 145 of the Act and. in catrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5>(b} of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate 4of5
of Church ...Tewkesbury Methodist Church.................. No...070724 Indep6ndent Examinerfs Statom•nt I have completed my examination. I confimi that no TrAterial matters have corrE to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems and have corrE across no other matters in connection with the examination to hich attention should be dravm in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the éIPCOunts to be reached. I Iiavethave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for thodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central +iiance Board of the MethcKlist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand i!unds) at the balance sheet date. onature of independent examiner aiDe of independent examiner 14vant professional qualification of independent examiner '. of firm (where appropriate 'ess c•, EfvdGth Post Code . IBte or circle as appropriate Church-receipts4r#J-paymert&2225_a1rn lat x18
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NarrE of Church ...Tewkesbury Methodist Church.................. No...070724 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment 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. Signature of treasurer .. Name and address of treasurer Presentstlon to the Church trust908 I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 werelwill be. presented to the meetinq of the Church trustees held on ............. Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting 4y.1uc......É....CfyS.. Dat...... Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Tewkesbury Methodist Church Charity Number 1179000 Responslbllltles and basis of report ToLJi4bldkdist I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the .. Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages .1. to .S. As the Church's tees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth 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 examinats'on. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate 4of5
Name of Church ...Tewkesbury Methodist Church.................. No...070724 Independent Examinorfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have Come to my attention in connects'on with the examination {other than that disdosed belo> which give tre cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have conE 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 havelhave not" obtained 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. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner AfyJbQkA...... CFthqLL ........................... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate