|Tewkesbury Methodist Church<br>The Cross<br>Church Street<br>Tewkesbury<br>GL20 5PA|Charity Registraton Number<br>1179000<br>Financial Year FY24-25<br>September 2024 – August 2025||
|---|---|---|



## 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. 

1 



|Tewkesbury Methodist Church<br>The Cross<br>Church Street<br>Tewkesbury<br>GL20 5PA|Charity Registraton Number<br>1179000<br>Financial Year FY24-25<br>September 2024 – August 2025||
|---|---|---|



## 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 

2 



|Tewkesbury Methodist Church<br>The Cross<br>Church Street<br>Tewkesbury<br>GL20 5PA|Charity Registraton Number<br>1179000<br>Financial Year FY24-25<br>September 2024 – August 2025||
|---|---|---|



## 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 

- Learning and Caring 

   - The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care 

- Service 

`o` The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice 

- Evangelism 

   - 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 

3 



|Tewkesbury Methodist Church<br>The Cross<br>Church Street<br>Tewkesbury<br>GL20 5PA|Charity Registraton Number<br>1179000<br>Financial Year FY24-25<br>September 2024 – August 2025||
|---|---|---|



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. 

4 



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-re￿Ipts-anwrnen￿2O2&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 Ir￿Me
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

T￿e$bU
Church
CH
ng. Nrlethatthefun08 of
U￿or¢￿VrEh Tnmt Furnl
81
16
.819
152.6
73.B1
Subtyal ol Intw￿l
17.
154,44
•11
75.708
2. totah
OTAL CASH FUFa)S ￿L0
YC￿￿
¢7
132 321
TOT*L Rec&prs
OT*L
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 Ca￿le￿ 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&2￿2￿25_a1rn lat* x18

IE
IIIIIKI

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