## **RUGBY METHODIST CHURCH CENTRE** ## **ANNUAL REPORT – 2024/25** ## **CONTENTS** Minutes of General Church Council Meeting 17th August 2025 p 2 - 3 ## REPORTS FROM CHURCH ORGANISATIONS |Minister’s report|p 4 - 5| |---|---| |Church Council and Leadership Team|p 5 - 6| |Our Calling – Worship|p 6 - 7| |Our Calling – Learning and Caring|p 8 - 10| |Our Calling – Mission and Service|p 11 - 13| |Property|p 13 - 14| |Finance|p 15 - 21| ## **RUGBY METHODIST CHURCH** ## **General Church Meeting held on 17[th] August 2025 after morning service** Rev Nathan Falla welcomed everyone and apologised for such a late meeting. ## **Attendance** Rev Nathan Falla chaired the meeting and Jane Richard wrote the minutes. 16 attended in the church and apologies were received from Christine Dybdahl, Sarah Currie, Dorn & Mike Margetts, Marie Thomas, Sue Heinink, Douglas & Heide Wells The attendance list is filed with the minutes. ## **Minutes of last year’s meeting** The minutes of the meeting held on Sunday 2[nd] June 2024 had not been circulated. Rev Nathan read from Hebrews 12 v1 &2, reminding us we are in a race and are cheered on by those who have gone before us. Rev Nathan prayed for those who had passed on since the last meeting – Andrew Peck, Olive Partington, Roger Beckett, Jeff & Roma Stafford, Robert Wilson and Philip Carter, giving thanks for all they had contributed to RMCC. The duties of the meeting are to consider where God is at work and to elect Church Stewards and members of Church Council. Church Council had agreed the Church Mission Action Plan - to be a Growing, Evangelistic, Inclusive and Justice-seeking Church. Rev Nathan is proud to be minister at RMCC as people are attracted by what they see and the church is growing through Morning Prayers, House Groups, Sunday Worship and Midweek Communion (moving to 3[rd] Wednesday of the month from September). There is a growing relationship with St Matthews Bloxham Primary School. Rev Nathan has led assemblies including Ash Wednesday with Ashing and Year 6 visited the church for a Transition Workshop in July. Within the past year RMCC has become part of the Inclusive Churches Network, recognising this is a journey not a destination. LGBTQ+ ministry is developing, providing a safe and welcoming space. Inclusion must never be at the expense of excluding others - it is about building bridges. There is always more to be done. Justice Seeking is apparent in our work with refugees and asylum seekers through the work of the Hub, World Kitchen, support of agencies both local and national e.g. Extra Mile and Christian Aid, and other one-off events. Rev Nathan thanked everyone for all they do in the church in many ways and encouraged everyone to do what they can. Rev Nathan asked the question ‘What do you like about RMCC? Why do you come?’ Replies included feeling welcome, friendship, a sense of being together with other Christians to develop faith, a richness of different people, music, offering gifts and graces, an ongoing confirmation of faith and challenge. Rev Nathan gave a prayer of thanks for all who make up the family of RMCC. ## **Appointments** ## _Church Stewards_ The following were thanked and appointed en bloc: Howard Binns – Senior Steward Michael Margetts Richard Rutte Sylvester Tomety More stewards are needed, and anyone who is interested should speak to Rev Nathan. 2 _Congregational Representatives to Church Council_ The following 7 representatives were willing to stand for a further year and were re-elected en bloc. Sue Beckett 7[th] Susan Heinink 4[th] Colin Bemrose 7[th] Ruth Henderson 6[th] Ruth Bemrose 6[th] Dorn Margetts 5[th] Stuart Sore 4[th] Ron Bevan offered his services on Church Council and was appointed. Jose Royle can be co-opted at a later date if she becomes a member. _Other Representatives_ Action for Children:- Linda Sore Christian Aid:- Jose Royle The Mite Scheme has now ended. ## **Looking Forward** From September Rev Nathan will be in charge of RMCC, Paddox and Bilton with Long Lawford and Newbold being taken over by Rev Brian Hutton. There will be a shared quarterly service of the 3 churches – on 2[nd] November at Paddox and 8[th] February at RMCC when the National Methodist Youth Brass Band will be here for the weekend. There are plans for a joint Lent Course based on The Greatest Showman and an Ashing and Glitter service on Ash Wednesday. A new Circuit Administrative team is in place and Rev Nathan is confident that going forward we can continue to be the Growing, Evangelistic, Inclusive and Justice Seeking church that God calls us to be. The appointments of a Lay Pastoral Assistant and a Children and Families Worker are planned for next year. Special Services at RMCC Sunday 21[st] September 6.30pm Circuit Service ’Healing Our Hurts’ led by Rev Nathan and Rev Dr Sonia Hicks (to be on Zoom) Sunday 28[th] September 10.30am Harvest Service 6.30pm Rainbow Harvest The Meeting concluded with prayer ## **Date of next meeting** To be arranged 3 ## **Minister’s report for Rugby Methodist Church Centre (RMCC) 1[st] September 2024-31[st] August 2025** The Methodist year 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025 has been a year of continued change and transition as a church we continue to seek to preserve the present age through our commitment to be a growing, evangelistic, justice-seeking and inclusive church. At the Church Council in July 2024 we agreed our Church Mission Action plan in response to the Circuit Mission Action plan that had been launched in January 2024. The Church Leadership Team took time to consider how RMCC could respond as we seek to be a growing, evangelistic, inclusive and justice-seek church, and Church Council agreed to the following, as we commit to: ## _**Growing**_ - Continue and develop ministry with children and families with engagement through 3:11, prayer spaces and school assemblies. - Explore Breakfast Church at 9am on the 5th Sunday of the month as a further way of offering intergenerational worship – ask the families what would be most helpful. - Encourage faith development through house groups and morning Zoom prayers. - Develop a monthly evening Prayer and Praise encouraging testimony and the use of gifts (Friday evening or Sunday evening). ## _**Evangelistic**_ - Be proactive in sharing Methodist identity with those on the margins exploring faith. - Encourage engagement with the course _Everyone an evangelist_ ? - Be active in sharing our faith through our building e.g. posters, scrolling notices - Build expectancy that God is at work by sharing testimony and story. - Engage in local mission opportunities e.g. carol singing and respond to district initiatives such as Love is… ## _**Justice-seeking**_ - Move towards becoming a Silver Eco-church. - Sign up to be a Fairtrade Church - Respond where we can to local needs of justice and inequality. - Further develop support opportunities for refuges and asylum seekers. ## _**Inclusive**_ - Ensure our language is accessible and inclusive. - Celebrate the diversity of the church and mark where possible events on the Inclusive Calendar. - Commit to joining the Inclusive Church Network and communicate what we are doing. - Actively encourage the voice and participation of children and young people in the life of the church. ## _Growing_ As of the 31[st] August 2025 our membership stood at 111. Sadly during the year 7 church members have died. However, RMCC continues to be a place of encounter and transformation. We are growing in faith too through the nurture, support and faith development that is received in house groups, through the week day morning prayer group and through personal study as disciples of Jesus Christ. Links with one school St Matthew’s, Bloxam have continued by going in to lead collective worship on a termly basis (including a very special act of worship on Ash Wednesday) and Year 6 coming to RMCC for a Transition Morning to help in their preparation for moving to secondary school. ## _Evangelistic_ The mission and ministry of RMCC is dependent on the church being the hands, feet and mouthpiece of Jesus. It is reliant on the gifts, graces and time of its members that give voluntarily and sacrificially on committees, and in running groups, and looking after one another in love. Christmas Services were advertised through external posters and post cards and the scrolling notices are on in the entrance. We gave out gift bags at Pride in conjunction with Making Connexions. The ministry of ‘The Hub’ (a drop-in café) has continued through the commitment of volunteers, and the Wednesday lunches which started in December have attracted a regular clientele. ## _Inclusive_ RMCC is a diverse church, with a multi-cultural congregation, it is a place of acceptance and love, as refugees and asylum seekers find a home, and all people are safe to be fully who they are. We don’t 4 all look alike nor think the same, and that is what makes us beautiful. We celebrate it in our worship and how we provide often bi-lingual slides. RMCC has become more proactive in declaring that it is an inclusive church. At the Church Council in July 2024 it was agreed that RMCC would join the Inclusive Church Network which affirms: _We believe in inclusive Church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on the grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality. We believe in Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ._ December 2024 saw our first Queer Carols and highlighted the need for more frequent spaces for the LGBT+ Community to gather. This then led to _Stories_ in February for LGBT+ History Month, Rainbow Communion on Easter Sunday and a Pride Celebration in June following our support of Rugby Pride on the Saturday. ## _Justice-seeking_ Our work with supporting refugees and asylum seekers has continued as has our provision of ESOL classes. After a break an event known as “World Kitchen” returned and was held during Refugee Week in June. This enabled refugees and asylum seekers to cook food from their country of origin and to celebrate their culture and heritage. It was an amazing event and was supported by the Mayor of Rugby. We are continuing to explore how we can move towards silver Eco-Church status and started to explore the possibility of solar panels. ## **Looking forwards** The theme provided by the President and Vice-President for 2025-26 is _Our Story, Our Song_ and as a church we endeavour to share _Our Story, Our Song_ with the community, that all may know the transforming love of God. Revd Nathan Falla ## **REPORTS FROM CHURCH ORGANISATIONS** ## **2024 – 2025** ## **CHURCH COUNCIL and LEADERSHIP TEAM** **Church Council** has met termly during the past year. We have continued to review the activities of the church under the four Our Calling headings – Worship, Learning and Caring, Mission and service, and Evangelism. There is always something in each section for which we can give thanks to God. Matters raised by the supporting groups, especially Property and Finance also receive due attention. We do not currently have a Church Council Secretary and are hoping someone will come forward to take on this role. Significant topics of discussion and decision have been: - Church Mission Plan - Inclusion Plan – RMCC is now part of the Inclusive Church Network - Rugby Community Hub - Church Website and Communication - Defibrillator - Policy updates - Safeguarding and GDPR - Church membership - The need for more Stewards The **Leadership Team** have met monthly where possible. 5 The team brings proposals to Church Council for discussion and takes forward decisions made by Church Council, so helping the life of the Church to move on between Council meetings. Discussion has focussed on how to respond to issues and needs within the church, so we can continue to serve God and the local community, to grow and extend the reach of ministry. We must be open to change and support one another. Jane Richard ## **OUR CALLING - WORSHIP** ## **WORSHIP GROUP** The Worship Group has met 3 times since the last report, mostly to discuss and plan the pattern of Worship on Sundays and at other times during the week, especially during the Advent, Christmas and Lent and Easter seasons. Rev Nathan has led several successful evening Inclusive Services during the year. We were sorry to say goodbye to Mike Fielding as he moved to Scotland and now have only 4 Worship Leaders – Rev Nathan is planning to hold some evening training at RMCC for anyone interested in learning more about what is involved. Could this be you? A replacement large print Lectern Bible was discussed by the group and taken to Church Council, but the large cost involved was deemed an unnecessary expense at this time. Jane Richard ## **CHURCH STEWARDS** The work of the Stewards is mostly about ensuring that Church services and some other events at Church run smoothly. It is mainly routine and straightforward, but nonetheless very necessary. The key change during the reporting period is that Sylvester Tomity was elected as a church steward, taking the number of church stewards to four. who are willing to serve for a further year. The Church would benefit from more people getting involved. As already mentioned, it is not a difficult job, but the more Stewards there are, the less onerous it becomes. There is also scope for flexibility; people can assist without necessarily becoming full Stewards. For example, there is a real need for people to help with arranging the seating for Sunday services. While full stewards have a leadership role, those willing to assist in various functions wouldn’t have to take on that too. I wish to thank two people in particular for the assistance they have given the stewards over the past year: Sue Smith for operating the PA at Sunday services, and Allen Chan for stewarding at some of the other events at Church. Please consider either becoming a Steward or assisting. Then, if you feel that you can help in any way, or would like to know more, please talk to one of the Stewards. The same applies to the AV Team: more people are needed to help with this work, (which is done using SongPro software on the Church laptop) so if you think you could do it, or would like to learn, please talk to Peter Richard or Steve Sirman. Howard Binns – Senior Church Steward ## **PRAYER** ## **Resources** Various resources are available to enable both private and corporate prayer. Each member has a copy of the church’s annual prayer list which gives some ideas and texts to help with individual prayers. For each day of the month it also suggests a particular part of the church and the names of a few of the church’s members so that all are covered in the course of each month. The District Prayer Diary is made available online and also some printed copies to enable different parts of the District’s mission to be remembered. 6 Some members subscribe to the annual Methodist Prayer Handbook which helps with prayer for the worldwide Methodist Church. The prayer room within the church is available for private prayer and is now used as the church vestry as well as monthly services of Holy Communion and for some small meetings. ## **Prayer chain** The so-called prayer chain has over 40 members who receive prayer requests and messages on-line. The prayer chain continues to be used extensively enabling people to keep up to date with ongoing situations as well as new, and often urgent, requests for prayer. A dwindling few members receive these on-line messages by phone. The prayer chain is seen as a valuable vehicle for mobilising individual prayer on a rapid basis There is an ongoing opportunity for more people to be involved in this prayer ministry which is a vital part of the church’s response to needs of many sorts. If you are not currently involved then do ask one or other of the people named below who will be delighted to add your name to the list. There is no obligation other than to include the relevant matter in your private prayers as you are able. For the email list the contacts are Colin Bemrose (colin@crbemrose.co.uk or 01788 810978) or Sue Beckett (nic7laura@virginmedia.com or 01788 336648). Requests for prayer (with the permission of the person involved) can be made to either of those named or to the minister, Rev Nathan Falla. ## **Morning Prayer** From 8.30 to 9.00 am each weekday morning a small group of people meet on Zoom for morning prayers. The format also enables individuals to join by telephone. There is a core attendance of 7 or 8 people and some who come less frequently. This time normally opens and closes with a very short part of a morning liturgy from the Northumbrian Celtic Community. Prior to a time of prayer there are two bible passages and commentary published on the Methodist “Word in Time” series leading to a short discussion of suggested points to ponder. Prayer follows using the three resources listed above as a basis for prayer along with specific prayers as appropriate. Each session is normally led by one of the group on an informal rota basis. The short time set aside each morning is found to be a fitting start to the day’s activities. If you would like to participate in this cycle of prayer, please ask Rev Nathan or the writer for the Zoom code. Colin Bemrose ## **FLOWER ARRANGING** My appreciation to the ladies who have ably provided assistance during the past twelve months with the fortnightly flower arranging roster. Some ladies assist on a regular basis whilst others participate occasionally and thereby we keep the church supplied with flowers. The involvement of a range of people has enabled us to have formal pedestal displays, attractive vase arrangements and a variety of artificial flower arrangements over the past twelve months. Some arrangers kindly pay for their own flowers for which I thank you, but money is available should arrangers require payment. Please do ask. We also remain happy to do a pedestal arrangement for a specific date or event, and to use flowers or colours if we are given about three weeks’ notice. Though we do have a group of ladies who help with the arrangements should any ladies or gentlemen (some of the top arrangers at NAFAS are gentlemen) wish to participate please add your name to the roster found on the table at the back of the church. The task involves purchasing your flowers (alstromeria, chrysanthemums and carnations are particularly long lasting), then doing the arrangement and afterwards keeping the water topped up or oasis damp for the two-weeks between arrangements. If you require additional information, please speak to me. My appreciation once more. Josephine Royle 7 ## **OUR CALLING - LEARNING AND CARING** ## **Pastoral Report for AGM 2025** As of 1[st] September 2025 RMCC’s membership stands at 111. Since the last annual report Sarah and Jeremy Butt, Hilda Gilbert and Ron Bevan have been welcomed into membership. Lesley Sturman and Sylvester Tomety have transferred their membership to RMCC. Sadly, 8 members have passed away.; Mac Mkandawire, Andrew Peck, Olive Partington, Roger Beckett, Robert Wilson, Jeff Stafford, Roma Stafford and Philip Carter. In January Rebaz Hassan was baptised. Pauline Lilley has transferred her membership out. All church members have a Pastoral Visitor to support them with prayer and practical care, if needed. If you know of anyone who is unwell or needs support but you do not know who their Pastoral Visitor is, please contact me. Equally, if anyone wishes to know more about becoming a member of the church, please speak to Rev Nathan Falla. Part of my role is to keep an accurate record of members' contact details, so if anyone moves house, changes their phone number or email, please do let me know. Be assured this information is not shared except with Rev Nathan and the relevant Pastoral Visitor. Linda Sore Pastoral Secretary ## **SAFEGUARDING** ## **Safeguarding Report 2025** Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is treated with great importance in the Methodist Church. RMCC has a Safeguarding Policy, which is reviewed and updated annually by Church Council, in line with the Methodist Church's guidelines. By the end of May each year, we are also required to update the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) checklist, ensuring we have all guidelines up to date. This has been done. Copies of the RMCC Policy Statement are displayed in several places around the building giving details of who to contact if anyone has a concern over a potential safeguarding issue. Our full policy is displayed on the lounge noticeboard. We also advise that children should be supervised at all times while on the premises, including in the toilets. Everyone who is paid to work with or volunteers to work with children, young people or vulnerable adults is asked to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and to attend a safeguarding awareness course. (Creating Safer Spaces). All Local Preachers and Worship Leaders, plus paid workers and Church Safeguarding representatives are required to complete the Advanced Safeguarding course. Each of these courses should be renewed every 4 years. Outside groups who use the premises are asked to sign that they agree to abide by our policy, if they do not already have one of their own. Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is everyone's concern **.** If you have a concern, please speak to one of us or to Rev. Nathan Falla. Jane Richard and Linda Sore Church Safeguarding Representatives 8 ## **FELLOWSHIP GROUPS** ## **WORDSWORTH FELLOWSHIP** ## **Annual Report** Apart from some holiday weeks, Wordsworth Fellowship has continued to meet each week for the past year. There has been a regular attendance of 10 or 11 people meeting on a Tuesday evening in one of four different homes. Usually the evening is led by the host but this is not necessary. The group is greatly blessed by having a wide range of experience and views which can lead to helpful debates and insight. Discussions can serious or light-hearted, but almost without fail subsequent discussions over tea and biscuits are lively and extensive! Since completing a long series of studies in St John’s gospel, a variety of ad hoc topics relevant to Christian living in the 21[st] century has been covered. This has been supplemented by some studies in a series called “Good Soil” produced within the East Mercia Circuit on a fortnightly basis. Currently a new series of studies is being sought. In the summer an outdoor social evening with drinks and nibbles was hosted one member As ever, new members are always welcome. Colin Bemrose On behalf of the group. ## **ACCESS FELLOWSHIP** Access is a small bi-weekly fellowship group. We meet on the 2nd, 4th, 5th Wednesday each month at 8pm. We rotate around each other’s homes, and take turns to lead the meeting, but understand some prefer not to host or lead. Recently we have been using the circuit bible study ‘Good Soil’. We like to invite visiting speakers sometimes. Should you feel you have something interesting to share please let us know, we are good listeners, and questioners! We would be delighted to have to put out more chairs, so if you would like to join us please contact Dorn. We understand work & family commitments mean not everyone can make it always. Please let me know if you would like to know more. Dorn Margetts (dornmargetts@aol.com) ## **PUBLICITY** ## **RMCC NEWS Annual Report** The present format of RMCC News has now reached 25 monthly issues. The editors aim to include not only items of specific relevance to RMCC but also items of wider interest from the Circuit, the District and the Methodist Connexion, and ecumenical matters locally and nationally. The aim is to produce RMCC News for the first Sunday in the month. Each issue starts with a pastoral letter from the minister, Rev Nathan Falla, and also includes details of forthcoming services for the ensuing month along with the names of those particularly involved with that worship. In this respect, RMCC News seeks to occupy the space formerly filled by weekly notice sheets. RMCC News cannot continue without regular information from all parts of the church and relies on this basic flow of information including diary dates and forthcoming activities. It continues to be difficult to obtain timely information for each issue. Items of family news (with the subject’s consent) are always 9 welcome. As well as items specifically sent for inclusion in News each month, a variety of sources are used. These include the weekly Methodist News service. The church also has a subscription to “Parish Pump” which offers a wide variety of illustrations, articles, anecdotes, cartoons and children’s items. Each month News is circulated electronically to those people on the church’s email list. Around 50 A5 booklets are printed each month and are available to all around the church. Please do not be shy to share it widely with those who come to the church for any reason. A number of larger print copies are also available. There is an additional email circulation list of around 15 people who used to be at the church or who have an interest in the church. The editors plead again for more feedback about content and presentation. What is helpful? What would you like to see more of? Or less? Do let us know. Without feedback we cannot know whether the publication is meeting a need or not. Colin Bemrose Sue Heinink Editors ## **POSTERS** We have continued to display a variety of posters on the main notice board fronting Russelsheim Way recognising the festivals of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost and generally offering a welcome to our church for all. A smaller selection of posters has been used at the notice board at the entrance to the car park and it is likely this will be used more by the Hub in future as it expands its activities. John Over 10 ## **OUR CALLING – MISSION AND SERVICE** ## **YOUTH AND FAMILY** ## **TINY TOTS** Tiny Tots meet every Thursday 9:30-11:00 during term time. We have a mixed group of carers, parents, grandparents, childminders, women & men. (Granddads are very popular and often have a number of children around them) As many of you are aware our toddler group has been here since RMCC opened, which makes it over 40 years old. It is because of the commitment of church members it has lasted this long. We now need more support, or it might become too much for too few. Could you help set up (9am for 20mins) Join in the fun: Give a warm welcome and chat with the carers & children (9:30 -11:00) Help tidy up (10:30-11:00) We would be grateful if you could help with one or all of the above. Or if you just want to pop in and say hello one week we would love to see you. ## Dorn Margetts (Tiny Tots Co-ordinator) ## **RUGBY COMMUNITY HUB WEDNESDAY CAFÉ** September – December 24 During Autumn term the Hub Café was open 10 am to 12 pm for 13 sessions serving hot drinks, biscuits, and toasted teacakes. For three of the sessions, volunteer training in food safety and hygiene took place for two new volunteers. For the three Wednesdays in Advent a simple lunch with festive desserts was provided. Using both the lounge and the foyer, on the last Wednesday 23 diners were served, the highest number recorded so far. January -April 25 During Spring term the Hub Café was open 10 am to 12 pm for 13 sessions serving hot drinks, biscuits, and toasted teacakes. On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month a simple lunch 3-course lunch with desserts was available from 12pm to 2pm. The menu provided a choice for each course and a hot drink afterwards. There wasn’t a set meal price, diners were invited to ‘pay what you can’. May- July 25 During May and June Summer the Hub Café was open 10 am to 12 pm for 7 sessions serving hot drinks, biscuits, and toasted teacakes. On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month a simple lunch 3- course lunch with desserts was available from 12pm to 2pm Owing to there being no customers for several weeks on Wednesdays when lunch wasn’t being served, the decision was taken to only open the Hub Café on Wednesdays in July when lunch would be served. The Hub Café was closed for the month of August. Thanks are due to Rugby Heritage Lions and volunteers from the community for their participation in the Hub Café Wednesday team. ## Howard Binns ## **ENGLISH CLASS FOR SPEAKERS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES (ESOL)** September – December 24 Autumn term 14 weeks. Student numbers between 9-18 per week. Tried having two groups, separate space for beginners, but felt disjointed so at the end of term we decided to move back to the hall as our number was growing, and where it was big enough for groups to work separately for part of the lesson, but then come together. Good attendance from helpers between 12-14 weeks. One new helper joined us. January -April 25 Spring term 12 weeks. Student numbers between 8-16 per week. Worked well in hall this term. Helpers there between 8-12 weeks. One new helper joined us. May- July 25 11 Summer term 11 weeks. Student numbers between 12-21 per week. Helpers there between 6-11 weeks. Change of students over the year, some leaving while new people joined the class. This academic year the tutor started a full time job so Co-ordinator prepared more of the lessons, which usually the tutor delivered to the class. Two former students, asylum seekers who had been moved on, made long journeys to attend a class. Wide ranging curriculum, including leisure, emergency services, travel, money, signs of spring, art, emotions, and social media, planned for different ability levels and needs, coming together for bingo at the end of each session. The ESOL Team ## **CHARITIES WE SUPPORT** ## **Action for Children Report 2025** The Methodist Church has been linked with the charity Action for Children over many decades. Their mission is to protect and support children, young people and families with practical and emotional care, making sure their voices are heard. We regularly support the charity via our Christmas Day service collection, which amounted to £269.30 at the 2024 service. There are several ways to support the charity, such as collection boxes, regular giving etc for anyone wishes to. If you would like to know more about Action for Children, details are on their website **actionforchildren.org.uk** or have a word with me. Linda Sore Action for Children representative. ## **CHRISTIAN AID** After due consideration as to how we could raise money this year for Christian Aid I approached Reverend Nathan and received permission to hold a lunch. The Royle household became a hive of activity as I decided to do as much preparation as possible prior to the event. Cottage pies and vegetables were prepared and members of the church kindly donated desserts. A number of people commented on the wonderful range of puddings. A timetable for the lunch was prepared and went nearly according to plan. Once more wonderful members of the church helped with the raffle and serving of the meal. We served 48 meals in total in quick succession with some coming back for seconds. Having fed the body we had a quiz to exercise the mind. There were many smiles and much laughter during the lunch and I hope I'm correct in saying a good time was had by all. My sincere appreciation to all who helped, we couldn't have done it without you. Jose Royle ## **EXTRA MILE** Extra mile has gone through some changes this year with the completion of the school building, the appointment of a new CEO and the initial celebration of the school’s foundation. As a result of the amazing work of one of our trustees, Mr. Brian Hoy we have managed to secure a grant that has been sufficient to complete the installation of the windows and guards, the tiling of the classrooms and corridors and steps as well as providing lighting and power to the school. With the help of the Rotary Club of Rugby, a careers programme has been planned for later this year to help our leavers to find places of work or study. Mr. Luke Talmage was appointed as the new CEO of the charity in January 2025. A primary headteacher with much experience, he has 12 already visited Sierra Leone to attend the Founder’s Day celebrations and continues to lead the charity into a new era. Our initial Founder’s Day was celebrated with a dancing and singing music parade through the streets of Goderich. The local community turned out to join in with the festivities. This was followed by a number of speeches from several notaries from the village as well as senior staff from the school. Mike Fielding, the previous CEO has now moved to Scotland but still keeps in touch with the charity and attends all its meetings. For a while, the fund-raising in Rugby will continue whilst Roz Brookhouse and Jan Gee-Russell helping to provide the jams, marmalade, rhubarb and assorted vegetables for sale at RMCC and at other local events. This means that alongside other fund-raising the charity can still provide daily breakfasts as well as free text books, exercise books as well as a free uniform and other resources for the pupils. The hard working group of ladies who meet regularly in the Hub at RMCC continue to make a supply of reuseable sanitary pad packs for our pupils and this is so vital for the dignity of our girls, thank you. For all those who have helped Extra Mile in any way at all we say a great big thank you for your amazing help and support once again. Mike Fielding ## **PROPERTY GROUP** The property group is responsible for looking after the fabric of the building, its systems and facilities. I welcome Allen Chan and Chris Fryer to the property group. Some of the main work done this year is summarised below. **Railings:** Following the car crash into the front railings last November, an insurance claim was raised for the cost (around £2720) of replacing the railings like-for-like. The culpable driver was pursued through the courts and our excess was refunded as a result. **Waterworks:** We have replaced the broken dishwasher in the kitchen with a Bosch model, fitted a second grab-rail in the disabled toilet and replaced a faulty ball-cock valve in the loft. We are working towards the Eco Church Silver Award, and a water butt has been installed to capture rainwater from the gutters for the colourful pot plants displayed outside church. SmartDrain have fixed the flooding in the car-park, and have quoted for fixing the damaged manhole cover in the car park entrance. Custom Heat serviced the boiler system in July, and supplied a gas safety certificate. **Fire Alarm System:** The alarm was triggered accidentally in April, and a new company (ISE Fire) was called in to fix the fault and service the system. They did a full service for £210 and issued a certificate which is filed in the office. **Roofing:** We have repaired the low-level roof verges ourselves, and a local roofer has dealt with the high-level ridge and verge repair work identified in the last inspection. He is also due to fill and repaint the wooden fleche (spire) shortly. **Solar Panels Project:** Following a meeting with representatives from Paddox Methodist Church about Solar Panels, three companies quoted in August for the installation of about 30 panels on the south side of the hall roof. This project is currently being explored before being decided upon. Peter Richard, Chief Property Steward. ## **CHURCH BOOKINGS** All of our long-standing bookings have continued to hire the various rooms at RMCC for their meetings and activities – most of groups meet weekly in term time but Fitsteps and The Big Sing continue all through the year. The Church of Pentecost use the Church for Worship every Sunday afternoon and Saturday early evening. A large group of children have been using the hall on Saturday mornings and some afternoons to practise the 11+ under exam conditions. We also have a variety of one-off 13 bookings including a church full of Primary School children taking part in a Singing Workshop organised by the Warwickshire Education Department, Boaters Christian Fellowship, Waterways Chaplains, Pawprints Dog Charity, the Ghanaian Society and successful concerts by Rugby Operatic and Musicals Society and the Scirocco Wind Band. Jane Richard ## **GARDENING** I do hope that you will agree that thanks to all those involved that the garden and church front have looked well kept and attractive over the past twelve months. The pots have been kept in keeping with the seasons and the other gardens weeded regularly, a range of shrubs and plants added and will hopefully provide plenty of colour throughout the coming seasons. The large tree was lopped last Summer which helps in keeping the car park tidy. Thanks to Peter and Allen who slabbed the three beds by the church door. We now move into the Summer and any offers of assistance in keeping the garden tidy would be most gratefully received. Jose Royle 14 ## **RMCC FINANCE REPORT 2024/25** The **Annual Accounts for** the year ended 31 August 2025 accompany this report. Douglas Wells has duly verified the Accounts. The Reserves Policy for General Funds is also attached & the Finance Group recommends its sign off ## **Notes on Annual Accounts - 2024/2025** ## **Opening/ Closing Balances** The amounts carried forward from 1[st] September 2024 are as shown. The restricted balance is £1,547 whilst the unrestricted is £93,145 with total amount brought forward of £94,692. The closing balance total cash as of 31/08/25 was £95,274 comprising an unrestricted fund of £92,599 and restricted £2,675. At the end of the year, there was a cash **asset increase of £582** . ## **Income** The offertory figure £42,982 was slightly lower compared with £44,932 the previous year. Recovered Tax was £9,183, compared with £ 9,969 last year. **Lettings was £23,580 significantly higher** than last year £18,579. The Community Chaplain figure of £900 consists of three member’s pledges. The church **received a legacy gift of £10,000 from RE Wilson** . Other income £4,663 consists of (Migrant Fund, Tots, Insurance for damage fence, Books, and other Miscellaneous). An amount of £800 was transferred from Tots to church account. ## **Expenditure** As in previous years, the major item of expenditure was **the Circuit Assessment of £ 65,210** compared to last year £62,827. Property expenditure on Repairs Maintenance and Cleaning was £11,404 lower than previous year £15,190 and Utilities (including Phone and Insurance) increase slightly than previous year to £12,585. There was no expenditure on Community Chaplain. As agreed by the church council, donations to external organizations from church funds to The Bradby Club and The Hoskyn Centre were £400. Other expenditure £4,985 consist of (Payment re damaged fence, Migrant Fund, Tots, Paddox printing, Bank charges and other Miscellaneous). ## **Internal Organisation** The Standard Form of Account for the year 2024/25 accompanies this report. The Internal Organisation (The Community Hub) received income of £2,132 and incurred expenditure of £830 with closing balance of **£3,260** . ## **Budget for Year Ended August 2024/25.** **The actual Annual Accounts 2024/25 surplus was £584 as compared to revised deficit forecast of (£10,565).** The annual accounts surplus can be attributed to receiving legacy gift and more Offerings/Single Gift than budgeted. Also, lettings received were more than revised forecast and other income such as Migrant Fund and Tots. The expenditure on the other hand was reduced by spending less on repairs, maintenance and cleaning than expected and also no expenditure on Community Chaplain. ## **Stephen Arthur – RMCC Treasurer** 15 CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Ru by Methodlst ch￿￿h c￿tre Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 Clrcylt Circuit no. 23114 Rwlstsr•d Charlty- Charlty R•gistration numbor 1186270 If not a registered charity Her Majestys R￿u8 and Custom5 Gift Aid number IT￿ HMRC nUrn￿r 15 equivalent to a registertd charity number in tem)s of evidence of charrtable status and may bg used to giv8 to donors or grant funders wEshing to see eV￿en￿ ol the organisation, tharitab￿ Status. Methodist Charit￿ in England arKI Wales that are not registered ¢haritses are ex(epted from ￿￿tration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 Minister. Rev. Nathan Falla Church Stewards". Howard &nns Michad Margett5 Richard Rutte TreaSU￿r. Stephen Arthur ChurthA aThJP201S l ot5 16 ACCOUNTS FOR YHEYEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2W25 Rugby Methodist Church Centre Chur¢h Unr•¥trkt•d R•strictsd Totsh thls Fll￿d￿ Funds y¢Ar Totals last ygar SECTION A al RECEIPTS 82 Offeri s and Tax recovered Bank arbd CF8 intef8sI and Inveslment inGome 425 52.165 54,901 a3 3.896 23.580 3.896 23.580 4.728 18.579 13.977 92,184 Lptti as her recelpts roTAL RECEIPTS Lega¢y gift £10.000 13,378 92,594 2.197 2,622 15.575 95.216 a6 SECTION B b1 PAYMEWTS b2 Circvil AssessmÈntor Share 65,210 65,210 400 62.827 b3 Donati¢￿5 40D irs Maintenance Utslities IlnsurancF$, water charge$. wting & li 11.404 11.4(N¢ 15.190 12.585 12,565 9.053 b7 Olher payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 4,340 93.939 695 5.035 94,634 19.634 107,104 b8 Ib91 SECTION C NET REeEIPTSIPAYME14TS FOR THE YEAR c1 1.345 $82 14,919 Total funds broughl f(th¥rd from last year 93.145 1.547 94.692 109,611 total c1+c2 91.800 3,474 274 Transfers and ad'u8imenl$ TOTAL FUNOS AT END OF YENR 1¢3+¢41 91,8DO 3.474 95.2T4 ICBI 94,692 It61 SECMON D FOR If4FORMATION ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVEO AND PASSED ON TO EKrERNAL0RGANISA￿I)NS these ¥r• ttotto be Included ifi totsl T•¢¢1 nts fi ures abovo d1 Balants brou hl fotvfdrd frDm last d2 Offerin sIGifis- r￿1Ved for extemal anlsatcns 557 722 dJ Offeriw$lGIts - p95sad to exlemal organL%aboris 557 722 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAJD Id1*d2-d31 awrcbR￿PlOls.X1b 2of5 17 b KIeth￿j1sI ChurGh Centre ¢trwJrth SE¢nQNE SuMmory¢11MCMith￿un￿I￿the WrryndBd31 InlBmBI cww81l￿$l￿rth￿B1Dth￿¢hunthc￿￿1b￿hurch ￿01* ￿at￿B￿ndS ol ANDADIFFERENT FoRMm￿b&￿d ￿￿￿1￿¥{￿b&￿ej Ip{tERNAL ORGANISAnc*s R￿1 PayThn PByrrnN Ownk79 n￿nhy1￿￿ 1131 82B51 10$7.31 ub 01 ￿15a￿n￿fun 830 1.302 2-l¢Wsc0I￿n 95,216 Ibgl Ic71 91692 95.274 BYCHVR¢ 7.34 96.649 98.534 TOTNLREC&PTS TOTP PAYMENT$ ta51￿9rd SECTIOMF OPENbJ¢ CLo￿lIG GHURCH-eWFiWDSHELD4tJ1 ¢4sh Inttathl BBr&CuTrenlk(tsml BBr AC￿Tht 79.¥2 83538 0th8rfundsl Lkn¢&￿I￿dWu￿I 8wTOTPL.chu￿wuMI TD1d lur•W 95.274 TOTAL CASH FUND5HELDBY¢WJft¢H 94,692 95,274 SEfTION G OThERAS5ETS4r￿LL•￿IlrnES I $W￿M￿l021 31 W¥1202S LDan f41rther￿YF￿￿￿hvld8l￿0cL￿F￿nc•9OJro fs1rthde￿4yF￿ts￿d alTNJEbB&tDrPABIW5tChLYchPurp￿1￿ 18 Natn¢ of Church . .Rugby Methdist Church Centre Declarations and Scrutiny l Ll)nfinn that these Rec¢ipi and Payment based ¥wunt5 forthe yearto 31 August 2025 have b¢¢n prepared trom the r¢cord% of the Church and thai they includ¢ all funds under the control olthe chU￿h trust¢e& Signaiute of tr¢asuT¢r .. 05-11- 2bl£ Name and addr¢55 of tr¢a5urer .........St¢ph¢n Arthur 53 Windsor Sireei Ru¥by CV213NY Presentation to the Church irllste£s I confimi that the 8nnual ￿pOrt and accounts for the yearended 31 August 2025 wer¢lwiW presented to the tneeting of the Church irusiccs hcld ort Signaiutr of the Chair of th¢ me¢tiNg Name of the ChaiT of the rneeting .Rev. Nathan Falla Dale os_11-2oZ Independeni Examiner's Report to the Trustees of thc Rugby Meth￿lIst Church Centre Church Charity Number ... 1186270 Rc5POtvsibilitie5 and bAsi5 Qf reFK>rt I report to ih¢ tNstees on my examination of the accounts of the Rugby MethLxlist Church Centre. Church for th¢ year ¢nd¢d 31 August 2025 set out on pages Pl to P3. As the chu￿h,5 trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the CharitiesAct 2011 I'the Act'l. I report in ￿5[￿Ctor my examination of the Church's accounts carried olli under gection 145 of the Act 2015 ¢bj[thR￿ P￿1 4of5 19 I rLwrt in reS￿cl of my examination of the Ch(tr¢1'5 accounts carri¢d oui under section 145 of the Aci and, in rrying oul tny exarnination, I havc followellfyil the applicable Directions given by th¢ Charity Comtnission ulld¢r se£iion 14515llb} of th¢ Act. * delete or circl¢ as appropriate 2015 GhwthRandPxls 20 Name of Church Rugby Methodist Church Cenire No 183 Independent Ex8mlner'$ Statsm8nt I have compleied my examination I confirm that no material maitets have com* lo my attention in conne¢iion with the examination i ¥vhich give Fne cause to believe that in, any material ￿spect. the accounting records were not kept In accordance with sectson 130 of the Act, or the accounts do not accoid with the accounting record5 Ithe Ithe I have no concems and h8ve come across no Other matter5 In connection with the examinalion lo which attention should be drawn In this report In or(ler lo enab￿ a proper understanding of the accounts to be achecl. I*8￿have not. obtained Independent verification of all investments ￿th the Twstees for Melhodisl Church Purposes or held In other trusts bank balances and fund5 at the Ceniral Finance BO8￿ of Ihe Methodist Church which 8re Indivi¢ually In exces5 of £10.Om It8n thousand wundsl al the balance sheei Oale signatu￿ of Independent examiner Narne of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of fim? Iwhere appropnatel Adclre55 Post Code ¢N/3.i Date delete or circle as appropriate 21