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 NOTh￿￿d 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 cC￿tinue 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• •x￿ndhuT•
Clrcuit asse¥$m8nt
D￿ationS
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 aCCord￿ce ACc￿nting and Rewting by
Charili8s'.Slatsment of Recommend&1 Pr8¢b'ce ISORPI aprAicable to charities preparing th*r acwjnts
in aeeordance with the Finanaal Re￿tIng 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• gv*Ne fLY at the dlsuekn of th8 trusteos In ￿rt￿rnne￿ of
general objects of the charlty.
Designated funds- thes8 ar8 Unrestrict￿ funds eami*ed by the trustees for particJJlar purp￿8.
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 ge￿nts th& trust¢es h•v8 8 rwongtrAe exp8ctatl￿ th91 tW have
adequate rewjrctrs to continue In operalional &￿Stence for th• for4seeable fijlurn. Thus they con￿nu¢
to adopt th8 golng c4)nc•m l)aei8 of accounb.ng in pr•pariTh3 the accc*Jnts.
Church bulldlnqg
1116 not consldered rnl8v￿I to indudè • valuth"¢)n of Ihe tr*JildingB on the Balanc• Sho8L The
chur¢h building h￿15 ore Inwr•J for £4.611.1￿.
2 Tru•t
Non8 of the trust￿6 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¢￿t￿Bh1rP M8thodl¥t Circult. Bethesd
CWIrf￿tes to dr¢U￿ costs Ma the a55essmfjnt pa￿n￿ts.
3 Other Incom•
Vnr•8trl¢tod R•thct•d
2022
2021
Room hiro
Solar panels
Sundry
Printing
Sp8￿al 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 StatiC￿ery
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
Tra￿gr
Welcome Club
707
707
380
SS6
1,986
1,772
701
1,670
11451
296
1821
{t921
297
246
2.017