2024-08-31-accounts

Glenfield Methodist Church

Minutes of the Church Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16 October 2024, 7pm

Present: Revd Sydney-Samuel Lake (Chair), Jane Sowler (Secretary), Dave Almey, Alison Asher, Viv Asher, Mary Bothwell, Geoff Clarke, Liz Clarke, Trevor Davies, Tom Limb, Janet Mouland, Peter Sowler, Linda York, Wally York, David Postlethwaite (Circuit Steward)

Apologies: Margaret Almey, Alison Blane, Elizabeth Casely, Celia Davis, Sheilagh Lake

Not in attendance : Anne Fenton

In attendance: David Mouland

Revd Sydney-Samuel led the meeting in opening devotions and explained the responsibilities of a Church Council to the members.

Sydney-Samuel asked the meeting to stand to remember Gordon Bott and Iris Bradbury, who had died since our last meeting.

1. Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2024 had been made available to all council members prior to this meeting. Vivienne Limb proposed that the minutes be approved. This was seconded by Tom Limb and the meeting agreed unanimously.

2. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

3. Connexion & District

Sydney-Samuel explained that the way ministers were to be trained had been changed by Connexion. In the past, candidates were put forward by Circuits to the District, but now candidates will go directly before Connexion and into training if they are accepted. This training will also take different pathways – some trainees will do their training locally, just doing a block of training at college, and could then choose to stay in their own circuit. A significant change is that candidates need not be accepted as a Local Preacher prior to candidating. Sydney-Samuel explained that this system is how other denominations have been training their ministers for the past few years, and Methodism is following their lead.

The new Chair of District, Revd Dr Sonia Hicks started her role in August, and Sydney-Samuel reported that she is full of energy and keen to change things that need to be changed. Whilst 6 churches have closed in the District this past year, one of those is now involved in a Local Ecumenical Partnership.

4. Circuit Steward’s Report

• David Postlethwaite’s report had been circulated prior to the meeting. David was thanked for his report.

• i) David had mentioned our gratitude to Donna Jobling who had worked hard in the manse prior to Helen leaving and Sydney-Samuel’s arrival.

• ii) A decision had been made at the Circuit Leadership Team to assign a member of the team to give pastoral support to each of the ministers and our mission enabler.

• iii) Liz Clarke had handed over the circuit treasurer role to Eric Wardle.

• iv) Rosie Woodland had stepped down as circuit safeguarding officer. Sandra Andrews had agreed to take on this role for one year only.

• v) Work had been done on the Triumph Road manse and further jobs are to be completed on that manse and also on Spinneyside.

5. Church Life

i) Pastoral

Sydney-Samuel felt that there was a strong network of members supporting each other. He reiterated that he is always willing to talk or meet with a member of the church.

ii) Worship and Plan issues

Syndey Samuel reported that the draft plan had been completed, and that not all preferences will be met by churches. As has happened in the past, Worship Leaders will be supporting Local Preachers and Ministers and other members of congregations.

Dates for the Plan: [These dates were received after the meeting but are important to note]

8 December, 10.15am – Gift Service (donations to the New Parks Foodbank)

• 22 December, 10.15am – Sunday Club nativity , Linda York to lead

22 December, 6pm – Carol Service , led by Revd Sydney-Samuel, followed by coffee & mince pies

24 December, 4pm – Christingle

25 December, 10.15am – Christmas Day service, led by Revd Sydney-Samuel, United Service with New Parks

29 December, 10 . 15am – Local Arrangement (other churches invited)

5 January, 10.15am – Covenant Service

iii) Church Groups

• Sunday Club continues to meet every Sunday apart from All Age Worship. The aim is to make Christ and the Christian life open, understandable and accessible to all ages.

• Monday Coffee & Chat – good numbers met during the summer, with new people often coming in for a coffee. The generous donations from those who attend and other church members has meant that the group has not been a burden on church finances. The Warm Space soup lunches will take place during January and February next year, and once again grateful thanks go to all those who volunteer on a regular basis to provide this place for people to meet in a safe environment.

• Girls’ Brigade reopened in September with 11 girls, 1 young leader and 4 adult leaders. They are grateful for the support they receive from parents and church. Their carol service will take place on Tuesday 17 December at 6.30pm to which all are invited.

• Crochet & Stitches – this new group started in September and will be meeting regularly on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Tuesday evening of each month. To date, 8-9 people have attended and others are welcome to join. Planned crochet or cross stitch activities take place, or people turn up with their own stitch related project. An informal group with happy conversation and tea/coffee and biscuits.

• Memory Café – numbers have gone down over the summer as a few of our members are no longer able to join us, and we are advertising to see if anyone else in the community would like to come along. We have now completed one year, and our volunteers usually help out on 2 out of 3 meetings. We have someone from outside of the church who has offered to help, who will attend safeguarding training once the next sessions have been organised by the circuit.

• Crafternoon has also been meeting for a year now on a Thursday afternoon. The group was set up with a purpose to be available to support, with their different skills, church events as they are planned. Their sessions always include some fun and laughter, together with chat and a cup of tea and are open to anyone from the church or community.

• Playgroup and Toddlers – Liz reported that they had held a ’50-year’ celebration in August for Toddler group. It has become increasingly popular, meaning that the lounge is also used on a Friday morning as a ‘baby’ room. They will increase their contribution to church funds to cover this additional heating expense, and this past year have also been able to give a gift to the New Parks Foodbank.

• Mission Enabler report – Justin had submitted a report prior to the meeting. The circuit had been successful in securing a new grant from the Leicestershire crime commissioner for New Parks Men’s Shed. He is organising a course entitled ‘Church at the Margins’. He gave us information New Parks Church Regeneration Project and their fundraising so far.

Within our own church, we will be offering the chance to Light a Candle for a Loved One in the chapel, which will take place at the same time as our Coffee & Chat session, on 28 October.

Methodist Church advent worship resources entitled ‘Hush the Noise’ will be used across the circuit.

• Meditation Art – Andrea Bird had asked if a new group could be set up entitled Meditation Art, to meet on a Wednesday lunchtime in the lounge. As all new church groups need Church Council approval, discussion was held. It was felt that the Council needed further information about the group. Safeguarding issues were raised if Andrea was to lead the group on her own. It was decided that Sydney-Samuel would ask Justin Moulder, and possibly one other person, to go and meet with her to discuss this before the Council could give approval.

iv) Discipleship

Tom’s current aims are to support and encourage the use of the Bible in daily devotions; to increase interest in growth towards Christ-likeness and maturity in discipleship; to assist the minister in encouraging commitment, especially towards full membership.

Tom reported that the church NIV Bibles are now back in the pews. A discussion was held as to whether the Sunday morning readings could be taken off the screen, but it was agreed to keep it on. Permission was given to purchase a basic discipleship course for the Wednesday fellowship. Tom has recently cleared the book collection from three households.

He requested a ‘Discipleship’ badge. This raised discussion on whether the stewards and some others should also have their names on the badges, but this was not agreed.

Tom asked for assistance in identifying those in church who might be ready to become full members.

v) Social and Fellowship Events

i) The Coop Ladies Choir will be holding a concert on Saturday 14 December in the chapel.

ii) Sydney-Samuel suggested that it could be good for our church to organise a meal or similar event at some point in the future in an outside venue. He also mentioned that he enjoyed a ‘Dress-up’ Carol Service which could perhaps take place in 2025.

vi) Mission Opportunities

i) Car Park on Station Road – following the decision to reject the current application for housing to be built on the car park by Blaby District Council, discussion was held as to whether our church could consider putting in a bid for the car park land, as BDC will still be committed to selling it. It was agreed that as a church we need to work with our neighbours and councillors. Any transfer of ownership would not be straightforward. Peter Sowler offered to do some research to see if this situation has happened elsewhere in the country. Sydney-Samuel informed the meeting that he had made initial enquiries with TMCP and the District. The following points were made:

• Methodist Practice from our tradition is to hold conversations and discussions, and the outcome of those discussions was that the meeting unanimously agreed to a process, an approach. This discussion was lengthy in which many different speakers took part moreover all present understood what was said and there were no claims of misunderstanding, made during nor immediately after the meeting. The meeting confers that we do not yet know all the answers we prefer to have had.

• Action - The meeting agreed that through an appointed Sub-Committee, we engage and explore the possibility. We proposed to take action to express an interest in purchasing the car park, as any information acquired after a declaration of interest, will make for better discussion. Then once we have enough information, we would decide whether to commit to its acquisition or pull out if we are not satisfied. To this end, we appointed a sub-committee and empowered them with the authority to engage and research.

• The Sub-Committee will report back to the Church Council. They should work to gain information from everyone they can - including members of the Church Council, the church congregation, members of the community and members of the authorities. They can at any time ask to call an extraordinary Church Council Meeting to clarify any position on which they have obtained further knowledge, answer any queries based on new information that they will gather plus pass on information for detailed discussions and decision-making.

ii) Collaborating with New Parks Methodist Church

It was agreed that our church in Glenfield was supportive of New Parks church, and some of our members gave a lot of their time to places such as Men’s Shed and Foodbank.

iii) Empowering our Young People

Funding is available for activities to support the work with our young people. It was agreed that we can all learn from what they have to offer.

6. Property and Finance

i) Property

The Property Check List for year ending 31/8/2024 was approved.

The Council had received the resignation as secretary of the Property and Finance from Andy Cereseto, due to ill health. Jane agreed to write a letter of thanks to Andy.

Viv Asher had submitted a report. He thanked the Property Stewards for their continuing work. Many of the jobs have now been completed following the Quinquennial Inspection, but a contractor who had specialist skills was required for half of the work needed. Tim Ratcliffe and his team will be doing building type tasks and bringing in other trades for things such as the roofing and stone mason work.

ii) Treasurer’s report

Geoff Clarke had submitted a detailed report on the 2023/2024 financial statements. The accounts are in a healthy state, meaning that the £44,000 needed to complete the work following the Quinquennial report area available. Over £10,000 has also been donated to various charities over the year.

It was proposed by Trevor Davis and seconded by Viv Asher that the 2023/2024 accounts be approved. It was proposed by Tom Limb and Alison Asher that approval be given of the budget for 2024/2025. Unanimous approval was given by members of the Church Council.

Geoff reported that he was delighted that Janet Mouland had agreed to become Church Treasurer from September 2026, and that she would continue to shadow him until that time, picking up more of the role as the months progressed.

Geoff Clarke proposed, and Trevor Davis seconded the motion that Janet be appointed in this capacity. The Council agreed unanimously and gave permission for Geoff to approach the bank to have Janet’s details added for access to the church accounts.

[It was agreed, following the meeting, that ‘Property and Finance’ would be moved higher up the agenda so that more time could be given to such important matters.]

7. Safeguarding

Peter Sowler reported that one issue had been raised since the last meeting, with the outcome that a sign was on the doors into church and notices in the chairs informing that services were streamed on YouTube. This has also been added to the notices each week.

The Safeguarding Policy for 2024-25 was accepted and signed and would be displayed within the church building.

8. GDPR

No issues were raised.

9. Eco Church

Alison Blane, Jane Sowler and Linda York would meet to see how to gain a silver award.

10. Any other business

Alison Blane had requested permission to ask a singing group ‘Mosaic’ to perform a concert as a fund-raiser for New Parks Methodist Church, sometime in 2025. The meeting agreed.

Date and time of next meeting:

Church Council – Wednesday 19 March 2025, 7pm

The meeting ended with prayers and a reading at 9.20pm.

Signed (Chair): ______

Date: ________

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS

Glenfield Methodist Church

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2024

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Leicester West Circuit Circuit no. 23/9
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1180910
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If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number

(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)

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Minister:
Rev'd Sydney Samuel Lake
Church Stewards:
Vivienne Limb Trevor Davies
Alison Blane Mary Bothwell
Elizabeth Casely Alison Asher
Treasurer:
Geoff Clarke
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Glenfield SFA 2023-24

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Church

Glenfield Methodist Church

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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Unrestricted Restricted Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds Funds year year
£ £ £ £
a1 RECEIPTS Note
a2 Offerings and Tax recovered 60,793 60,793 48,821
Bank and CFB interest and
a3 Investment income 3,309 3,309 2,125
a4 Lettings 14,917 14,917 11,867
a5 Other receipts 26,035 1,866 27,901 20,042
a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS 105,054 1,866 106,919 (a7) 82,854
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 39,488 39,488 44,148
b3 Donations 2,787 2,787 690
b4 Repairs and Maintenance 2,404 2,404 2,921
Utilities (Insurances, water
b5 charges, heating & lighting) 10,161 10,161 7,005
b6
b7 Other payments 16,068 2,488 18,555 20,843
b8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 70,908 2,488 73,396 (b9) 75,606
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
c1 FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) 34,146 (622) 33,524 7,248
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2 46,891 3,009 49,900 (c6) 42,652
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 81,037 2,387 83,424 49,900
c4 Transfers and adjustments (44,000) 44,000 (c7)
c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 37,037 46,387 83,424 (c8) 49,900 (c6)
(£44,000 restricted funds for committed quinquennial
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
d (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above) £ £
d1 Balance brought forward from last year
d2 Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations 7,394 6,636
d3 Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations 7,394 6,636
d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3)
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(£44,000 restricted funds for committed quinquennial

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Glenfield SFA 2023-24

Glenfield Methodist Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

SECTION E

Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page

Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.

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INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances Closing balances
e1 Playgroup 63,029 70,400 (7,370) 62,972 55,601
e2 Youth Worker 772 1,730 (958) 15,568 14,611
e3 Girls Brigade 10,190 2,425 7,765 2,488 47 10,300
e4 Toddler Group 1,146 957 189 (170) 28 48
e5 Drama Group (1,696) 1,696
e6 20-20 Project 372 30,536 (30,164) 30,164
e7
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds 75,510 106,047 (30,538) 622 110,475 (e11) 80,559 (e12)
Church accounts (totals
brought forward from page
e9 2 - totals column) 106,919 (a7) 73,396 (b9) 33,524 (c7) 49,900 (c6) 83,424 (c8)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD
e10 BY CHURCH 182,429 179,443 2,986 622 160,375 (x) 163,983 (y)
Continue on a separate sheet TOTAL
if necessary and bring the TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
totals forward
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SECTION F

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6 f7 f8 f9 g1 g2 g3 g4 g5	CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2024 SECTION G OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Other Assets Central Finance Board Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Other funds Other Liabilities Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) Investments (include Endowments) Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end Bank Deposit Account Land & Buildings (see notes re Insurance value) SUB TOTAL - Church accounts TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH Bank Current Account Cash in hand	OPENING BALANCES 16 5,186 44,674 24 49,900 (c6) 110,475 (e11) 160,375 (x) At 1 September 2023	CLOSING BALANCES 13 4,180 79,205 25 83,424 (c8) 80,559 (e12) 163,983 (y) At 31 August 2024

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

• f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

• g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5

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Glenfield SFA 2023-24

Name of Church.. Glenfield Methodist Church. Circuit No.. 2319 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signatureoftreasurer.................... Name and address of treasurer.. Geoff Clarke 8 Faire Road, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8EA Presentation to the Church trustegs I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 We￿IwIll be. presented lo the meeting of the Church trustees held on 16th October 2024 Signature of the Chair of the meeting V4Lafthar Name of the Chair of the meeting.. Rev'd Sydney Samuel Lake. Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Glenfield Methodist Church Charity Number: 1180910 Rgsponsibilitles and basis of report I report to the truslees on my examination of the accounts of Glenfield Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2024 sel out on pages 1 to 3. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'Ihe Acl'}. 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 14515llb) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Church SFA202&2024 4ofS

Name of Church.. Glenfield Methodist Church. Circuit No.. 2319 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confim 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: 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 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 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 .John Pickard Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner .NIA Address: 15 Oak Road, Littlethorpe, Leicester, LE19 2HP Date delete or circle as appropriate Church SFA 2023-2024 Sof5