Registered Charity Number 1188011 Bethesda Methodist Church Reports and Accounts st 31 August 2022
BEfHESDA MEfHODIST CHURCH CHARITY NUMBER: 1188011 TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31° AUGUST 2022 Trustees The trustees who served during the period were: Rev Naoml Cooke Teresa Griffiths Keith Norman Tina Savage Ros Terry Brian Gibb Peter A1150PP Caroline Deacon Heather Sparkes David Terry Moira Anderson Helen Davies John Cox Helen Nye Brian Robert50n Lindsay Williams Celia Kidd Christine Pringle Elaine Bailey Jenny Richards Helen Taylor Rachel Simpson Catherlne Gibb Who we are Bethesda Methodist Church is situated at 18 Great NOThd Street. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2AP. Bethesda is part of the Gloucestershlre Methodist Clrcuit. Bethesda is a community of all ages who love God. find life and hope in the way of Jesus, and seek to be filled with the Holv Splrlt In all that we do. We hold together the rich and broad tradition of Christianity with insights and understandings from the present, and thls is reflerted In our theology and variety of worship. We support a wide programme of worship events and community activities throughout each week; some we organise, some we host. Bethesda is a place where everyone is encoura8ed to be themselves, wherever they might find themselves in life: however they might describe their faith or the lack of it. In November 2021 and following on from new liturgies being approved at the 2021 Methodist Conference, Bethesda Meth¢)dist Church Council unanimously approved the solemnisation of marriages of same sex couples and the blessing of same sex marriages prewously solemnised. 8ethesda was excited to subsequently host the marriage of a same sex couple in July 2022. We are a congregation seeking to follow the way of Jesus and we ask questions and wonder at answers, deepening our understanding of the call to discipleship through worship, learnin8 together and nurturin8 faith. More details can be found at htt -bethesda-church.or
Many of our church-based activities in this period were disrupted by Covid but as a church we continued to support the wide church family and maintain activities where possible. Sunday worship has continued with a mixture of pre-recorded services aired on YouTube and live worship via Zoom. Junior Church also continued via zoom. The Church opened for Sunday services again in May 2021 and ha5 50 continued with the exception of a few short periods of required online worship {eg Christmas 20211. The Bethesda congregation has returned to worship and proudly shared the rich tapestry of other activities at Bethesda with other organisations and users who are also resuming at our premises. Hawllng Methodlst Church From I September 2019, Hawling Methodist Church became a"class" of Bethesda Methodist Church. Bethesda and Hawling have been closely linked for many years, not only as part of the same Circuit. but also receiving pastoral oversight from the same Minister. Being a class means that Hawling effectively becomes part of Bethesda whilst still operating with a degree of autonomy. Members of Hawling are on the Bethesda Church Council. The fellowshlp at North Cerney also comes under the Bethesda umbrella. Church Groups Church groups meet either on a regular or ad hoc basis and all have returned since the lifting of COVID-19 restrirtions from the Autumn of 2021- Bethesda Singers who have resumed and meet to prepare for specific Bethesda events while enriching weekly worship as individuals Weekly Lunch Club supportsthe elderly in the community and has new members Welcome Club supporting the re-kindled Creative A8e programme Toddler group meeting twice per week Bible study meeting on the Church premlses mid-week House Groups meeting both face-to-face and on-line to avoid dlfficult winter travel Saturday morning coffee shop open to all to chat, drink tea or coffee and eat cake. There is no charge but any donations are, in turn, donated to local charities and these, following a modest start. are growing a8ain Bethesda Backpackers or8anising weekly walks in the Cotswolds Country Dance Group Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies and Beavers Bethesda has a strong tradition of supportin8 the community both locally and town-wide and various activities take place in the hall and in the church itself. Locally, this ranges from parent and child groups, to acting as a polling station for elections, to a meeting place for the Bethesda Scouts and Guides and Brownies groups and thelrorganising committees. We host a variety of town-wlde groups ranging from choir prartice for various cholrs. to Art lasses and Al Anon. We strongly 5UPPOrt several local charities and organisations including G.A.R.A.S. working with refugee5, Open Door for the homeless, the Food Bank, Gardners Lane Centre and several others. We believe in playing an artive role in the community whenever the opportunity arise5.
Pastoral Support In common with many Methodist Churches, we operate a system of pastoral support whereby every member of the church family is linked to a pastoral visitor who will ensure that member5 are kept in touch with what is happening in Church. They are able to offer further support if needed. The Church holds some money in a Benevolent Fund which can provide small cash payments for anyone in particular need lat the discretion of the Ministerl. Bethesda also have the advantagè of a part-time Lay Workerwho supports the work of the Minister and pastoral visitors. This has proved to be very important as we have returned to worship together in our Sanctuary at Bethesda. making sure all are comfortable and have been able to return to the building at their own pace. Our Lay Worker has resumed the taking of the communion elements from our communlon table to those who are unable to attend those services in person. Creatlve Age Wlth the assistance of financial grants from Gloutestershire County Council and the Methodist Church and pastoral overview from our Minister and lay worker. Bethesda works wlth individuals to enrich the lives of elderly dementia sufferers and their carers. Post- COVID, the programme re-started at Bethesda in 2022 and has been warmly received and supported. delivering successful sessions for participants. The programme is supported by church volunteers and is provlng to be a very important outreach activitv. Safeiuardln8 8ethesda Methodist Church commits itself to ensurin8 the Implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy. government legislation. guidance and safe practice withln our Church premises. There is a safeguardin8 officer appointed by Church Councll.
Flnancial Review The financial statements show a deficit for the year on the general account of £3,155 givin8 a general fund balance at 31 August 2022 of E21,595. Given the financlal pressures of returning to the building with heating, lighting and cleaning costs and the need to r&build the community of users leg for room hirel. this is a significant achievement that has been made p055ible by the generosity of givers and donors with both increased regular contributions and one-offs. Additional budgeting and forecasting at both Bethesda and with the Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit is in place. This will carefully both plan and track our income and expenditure, underpinning the continuing financial viability of Bethesda. The financial statements are prepared on a receipts and payments ba51S. Part of the generous legacy of £46,CNXI recelved by Bethesda in the financial year ending 31, August 2021 will be used by the trustees to increase the Lay Worker posts that have proved so valuable to our church and community (note that there are no restrictions on the use of these funds and the trustees will cCtinue to seek the best use the money for thè mlsslon of the church). In this year, £6,C(IO was released from the legacy as the Bethesda contributlon to the Pastoral Lay Worker post to 31st August 2023 with matched funding from both the Gloucestershire Methodist Circult and the Bristol Methodist Distritt. The funds will continue to be ringfenced until applied to Bethesda Churth Council approved projects. Taking this initial draw down in mind and including interest, the balance is £40.223 whlch Is held on behalf of the church by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Reserves Poll¢y The Church needs to hold reserves primarily to m3na8e the funds passing through its account5. As trustees. the members of Church Council believe that the Church should seek to hold, In the General Fund, reserves of around one third of annual routine expenditure which would amount to £34,000 on the Bethesda account and £1,850 on the Hawling account. The respective balances at 31 August 2022 were £15,148 and £6,447. Rlsk management The trustees have examined the principal strategic and operational risks, which the charitv faces and confirm that the system5 have been established to minimise these rlsks. Structhrei governance and management The governing document forthe Church is the Deed of Union119321 and the Methodist Church Act119761. Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference ICPDI. Day-to-day management of the church is undertaken by the Church Leadership Team along with the Minister.
Responsibilities of the management committee Charity law requires the management committee to prepare financial ststements for each financial year. which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements the management ommittee are required to= Selett suitable accounting policies and then apply them conslstently,. Make Judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practlce have been followed. subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and; Prepare financial statements on the going toncern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity wlll continue In operational existence. The management committee are responsible for keeping proper accounting records whlch disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approval: Thls report was approved by the trustees on 7th June 2023 and slgned on thelr behalf bv.. Revd Rachel Leather
Bethesda Methodist Church Independent Examiners, Report Independent Examlner5' report to the trustees of Bethesda Methodist Church I report to the trustees on my examlnation of the accounts of Bethesda Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes. Re5ponslbllltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees. you are responslble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"the Act'l. The trustees consider that an audit Is not required for thls year under the Charities Act 2011, 5.144121 Ithe 2011 Actl and that an independent examination Is needed. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable dlrections given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examinatlon. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention Sn connectlon wlth the examination 8ivin8 me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept In respect of the charlty as required by section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with those records- or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a "true and fair" view which Is not a Matter considered as part of an independent examlnatlon. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Ms Caroline Su58n Sparrow. 128 Cheltenham Road, Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire. GL52 8LZ 7 June 2023
Bethesda Methodlst Chureh Statement of Financlal Activltles for the year ended 31 August 2022 Notes Unrestrlcted Restricted 2022 2021 INCOMING RESOURCES Donations, gilts and legaciès Gr8nts Transfers Bank account interest Other income Internal Ofgani8atlon8 91.140 4.165 16,279 6,297 95,305 16,279 6,297 329 7.937 1.185 127,332 142,514 32,004 329 7,937 107 4,827 1,206 180,658 1.185 27,926 99.406 RESOURCES EXPENOED Dlr•ct charltabl• •xndhuT• Clrcuit asse¥$m8nt DationS Inlernd grants (from TMCPI Project axpenses 74,124 5.462 6.000 74,124 5.462 6.000 36.013 81,792 3.340 36.013 31.067 Other •xpendlturg Operallng Bank 8C¢OL¢nl charges Internal organ15ations Total r••ourc•i •xp•nd•d 22,566 4,965 27,531 222 718 150.068 16,446 716 41,694 3,622 136,267 108,374 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YE*A 18.968) {13.7681 122.7361 44.391 FUND BALANCES AT 31 AUGUST 2021 70.786 36.499 107,285 62,894 FUND BALANCES AT 31 AUGUST 2022 01,818 22,731 84,549 107,285
8elhesda Melhodist Church Balance Sheet a5 at 31 August 2022 2022 2021 CurY•nt assots Cash at bank and in hand 84,549 107,285 The fund• of tha eh¥rlty General fund Restricted fijnds Inlemal organi5atbon fijnds 61.818 15.576 7,155 70,786 29,813 6,686 T¢Aal charfty lund* 84,549 107,285 Revd Rachel Leath•r Trustee Approved by the trustees on 7 June 2023
Bethesda Methodlsl Church Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 l Accountlnq polScles Bas1• of pr•paotlon The fInanU statements have been prepared in aCCordce ACcnting and Rewting by Charili8s'.Slatsment of Recommend&1 Pr8¢b'ce ISORPI aprAicable to charities preparing thr acwjnts in aeeordance with the Finanaal RetIng StarKlard applicat4e in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 10211off8¢tive 1 January 2015 as amended Fetryuary 20161 IChariti"ès SORP IFRS 10211 and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable reguLati(x)s. This Is a Puts'c Benefil Entity as defined by FRS 102. Incom• and Exp•ndltur• Income and Expenditure are accolK lor In th• Ststement of Fin8nd81 Actwths ISOFAI vthen recelved and pald respe¢tivety. Fund a¢¢ounllng Unr8slrict8d funds . th088 ar• gvNe fLY at the dlsuekn of th8 trusteos In rtrnne of general objects of the charlty. Designated funds- thes8 ar8 Unrestrict funds eamied by the trustees for particJJlar purp8. R&slrScted funds- Thesg are availa? fty w subJ9¢t to re8tricthns wnposed by the wj1n•l wrpose for which the lunds were gNen. Golng conc•m At th8 tsme of 8psyovlng Iho gents th& trust¢es h•v8 8 rwongtrAe exp8ctatl th91 tW have adequate rewjrctrs to continue In operalional &Stence for th• for4seeable fijlurn. Thus they connu¢ to adopt th8 golng c4)nc•m l)aei8 of accounb.ng in pr•pariTh3 the acccJnts. Church bulldlnqg 1116 not consldered rnl8vI to indudè • valuth"¢)n of Ihe tr*JildingB on the Balanc• Sho8L The chur¢h building h15 ore Inwr•J for £4.611.1. 2 Tru•t Non8 of the trust6 receNed any remunernbcffi tr berth from thè charty. dir•clly, durin9 tho yoar. Any payrnents mad• to trustees were reimtrwJrsèm8nt of expenses irKurred on behalf of the Charity. Th• minister and 18y work8r arg employed by the Gk¥J¢tBh1rP M8thodl¥t Circult. Bethesd CWIrftes to dr¢U costs Ma the a55essmfjnt pants. 3 Other Incom• Vnr•8trl¢tod R•thct•d 2022 2021 Room hiro Solar panels Sundry Printing Sp8al cdlectlons for third paiti88 4,121 3,241 12 4.121 3.241 12 1.552 3.225 559 5S9
Bethosda Methodist Church Notès to the Accounts for the year •nded 31 August 2022 OperatSng expens•s Unrestrithd R8sbictad 2022 2021 Cteaning In5uranc4 Light and heat Printing and StatiCery Repairs and renewals Telephono and Intemet Sundry Speclal collectK)ns for third part*s 6.349 3.812 4,579 1.693 2.417 1.334 2.167 215 22.566 6,349 3.812 4.579 1.693 512 3.603 2.821 3.237 6,288 1.297 1.731 1,728 3.895 215 27,531 4.965 16,446 S R••trJGt•d fvnd8 •naly•l• Balance Balanc• R•e•lpts P•ym•nts 3110812022 01A1912021 R•strlct•d Funds Benevolent Fund Coffee Shop Covld Fund Creative Ag Lay Worker Mu8ic Fun Property Fund 496 2,464 250 1,042 1.750 12.581 4.809 570 8.565 1.422 11.5CQI 120,1631 115,8501 12281 3,23fj 7.582 17,736 6,695 342 5.329 Intorn•l Organlsallon Fund Bethesda Singers Bethesplans Flowor Fund Lunch Club Toddlers Tragr Welcome Club 707 707 380 SS6 1,986 1,772 701 1,670 11451 296 1821 {t921 297 246 2.017