Alderman’s Green Free Methodist Church Trustees Report for the period 1[st] November 2019 to 31[st] October 2020
We believe ……
In Christ crucified, dead and buried;
raised from the dead on the third day,
who sits at the right of God the Father in heaven.
We worship and serve the risen Christ!
Administrative Information
Alderman’s Green Church is situated on Alderman’s Green Road, Coventry.
The church is governed by the Board of Trustees which abides by the Trust Deed set up on 5[th] January 1909. The Trustees are the guardians of the doctrine and have a legal responsibility to ensure the church complies with the prevailing laws in England and Wales.
The Trustees are the employers of all paid employees.
Every Trustee is a church member.
Objectives
The Trustees and Church Members are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship the living God, through the Scriptures, prayer, the Sacrament, and music, at the church, and for the church to be known in our locality.
We seek to serve the living Creator God, his Son Jesus – the Saviour of the World, - and through the Holy Spirit.
Wesleyan Reform Union
The Church is a member of the Wesleyan Reform Union of Churches, based at Church Street, Jump, Barnsley. The Church adheres to the doctrine of the Union as set out in their publication ‘Faith and Practice’ .
Governance and Management
Trustee’s responsibilities are shown above. The Church Members are responsible for decision making on matters of general concern and decide how the church funds are to be used. Church meetings are held quarterly.
Covid-19
During the Covid-19 pandemic the trustees have ensured that church has complied with the prevailing UK Government rules and guidelines for communal worship, funerals and marriages.
Church Membership
Anyone who desires, through the profession of their faith in the One Creator God and his Son Jesus Christ, as Saviour of the world, will have their name presented to the church meeting. Once accepted the nominee will be welcomed into full church membership at the next available service of Holy Communion. The new member takes on the full responsibility of financial support, attendance at worship, to use their God-given gifts and talents to further the work of the church and to ensure that it continues to serve the needs of the people of Alderman’s Green and beyond.
Worship
Our services of worship are normally held on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. where the truth of God’s Word is preached at all our services. These services are open to all. Additional services at Easter, Harvest-time, Advent, Christmas and as announced.
The Church Anniversary is celebrated on the last Sunday in October every year.
During the period of the Covid-19 pandemic the church adhered to the UK Government rules governing this situation. The Sunday services were conducted via Zoom in order to continue our commitment to ensure that God’s word is preached on a regular basis and that no-one should miss out with their walk with the Lord. Anyone not having access to Zoom was able to join by telephone. The services have been well supported.
When permitted, the church was opened for worship, following government guidelines with attendees recorded, pre-booked, and numbers restricted.
Children and Youth Work
We have an active Sunday school with some fifteen pupils and four teachers. We welcome children to the Sunday School from the age of a few months to sixteen years of age.
The aim of the Sunday School is to bring to life the Bible stories, to know Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world and to prepare the young people for church membership.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have not held any Sunday School sessions on the church premises. The Sunday School staff however did set up sessions on Zoom for any child who wished to join on Sunday mornings. This has worked very well.
Church Safeguarding
We use the services of Thirty-one eight (formerly CCPAS), an organisation which provides support and guidance for our Church Safeguarding. We have appointed a Lead Recruiter for the Church Safeguarding process and appointed two Child Protection Officers.
A Child Protection Policy is in place.
All the Church Trustees, Sunday School staff, and everyone who has regular contact with children and vulnerable adults have undergone DBS checks – all of whom have clear records. The DBS checking process is now automatic for the specified periods and personnel.
Messy Church
Due to Covid -19 Messy Church has been curtailed until government regulations allow.
Prayer Meetings
These meetings have been held weekly on Wednesday evenings during the Covid-19 pandemic with the meetings taking place via Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome.
Home Group
This group meets fortnightly for informal bible study and discussions at the homes of church members. These sessions have been curtailed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Worship Group
Practices are held fortnightly and the aim is to introduce the congregation to new hymns, songs, and choruses, during our Sunday services.
No worship group practices were conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our church organ has undergone a refurbishment at a cost of £2,700.00
Missions Work
The work of home and overseas missions is actively encouraged and well-supported with regular gifts and specific fund-raising activities. We thank everyone who supports this work in so many ways.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have not held any fund-raising activities in the church. We have received contributions from our church members who are in isolation so that we have been able to make a gift of £130.00 to the work of the Wesleyan Reform Home Missions.
Ladies Bible Study Group
This group meets alternate Friday mornings at 9.30 a.m. and is mainly aimed at mums who have seen their children safely into school and meet to study God’s word. We also encourage any ladies who may wish to attend.
There have been no meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Trustees
The Trustees holding office for the period of this report are shown in section A8/A9.
It is with sadness that we record the death of George Ronald Woodward who has faithfully served the church over a great many years. We thank him for his service and support.
Finance
The church accounts are shown elsewhere in this report. The church members are part of the HMRC Gift Aid Scheme covering their weekly gifts for the work of the church. We acknowledge the weekly giving of all those who attend our worship services.
General Data Protection Compliance
We have a GDRP Officer who ensures that we are fully compliant with the guidelines of this issue.
The Minister
Our Minister, David Bracken, leads our worship services on Sundays, and also plays a full part in our prayer meetings, home groups and other church activities.
The services of worship have been transmitted via Zoom, and telephone, on Sunday mornings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our minister has recorded sermons available via the church website.
Craft Group
Our Craft Group meets every Friday from 10 a.m. until 12 noon where experience and skills are passed onto other members of the group with the aim producing items for our Summer Fayre in July and our Christmas Fayre in December. Anyone is welcome to join the group to learn the skills and bring their own ideas.
No meetings have taken place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Volunteers
We thank all the volunteers who have worked hard to make our church vibrant, lively and welcoming, and also for fulfilling maintenance tasks to keep our property in good order. Our volunteers do so knowing that they are fulfilling God’s calling for them and our church.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge -
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The work of our accountant for processing the monthly payroll and the preparation of our annual accounts
-
Those who have continued to donate remotely to support the work of our church during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The support of our church members and adherents week by week
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The work undertaken by our volunteers
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Those who take on responsibility, behind the scenes, to further the Lord’s work in our church
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Those who lend their unfailing support for Coffee Mornings and the provision of drinks following our morning services
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The work of the Board of Trustees
Aldermans Green Free Methodist Church
Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31st October 2020
| RECEIPTS Weekly offerings Income tax claim Gift day collections Government incentive - Employers NI refund Church funerals - fees Use of hall Craft Club Sunday School BBQ Donations - Other donations Donation Donation - Organ Donation -Funeral Donation Donation - Projector Fund Donation towards Fencing Costs Christingle Donation - Paul Howard Donations building fund WRU Hosting Building society interest Total Receipts Total Payments Net receipts/(payments) for the year Cash in Hand at 31st October 2019 Cash at Building Society at 31st October 2019 Cash at Building Society at 31st October 2020 Total Cash at 31st October 2020 |
2020 £ 20,953.91 - - 1,123.43 - 335.00 1,145.00 - - 2,600.00 370.00 - - 400.00 - 201.50 500.00 - 25.00 393.84 28,047.68 34,493.83 6,446.15 - - 49,621.47 43,175.32 - 43,175.32 - 43,175.32 |
2019 £ 24,593.13 6,590.75 880.00 1,101.60 320.00 950.00 2,689.00 384.27 43.30 1,830.00 2,300.00 20.00 5.00 25.00 - 550.00 - 13,513.00 - 410.24 |
|---|---|---|
| 56,205.29 69,573.59 |
||
| 13,368.30 - - 62,989.77 |
||
| 49,621.47 | ||
| - 49,621.47 - |
||
| 49,621.47 |
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Aldermans Green Free Methodist Church
Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31st October 2020
| RECEIPTS Weekly offerings Income tax claim Gift day collections Government incentive - Employers NI refund Church funerals - fees Use of hall Craft Club Sunday School BBQ Donations - Other donations Donation Donation - Organ Donation -Funeral Donation Donation - Projector Fund Donation towards Fencing Costs Christingle Donation - Paul Howard Donations building fund WRU Hosting Building society interest Total Receipts Total Payments Net receipts/(payments) for the year Cash in Hand at 31st October 2019 Cash at Building Society at 31st October 2019 Cash at Building Society at 31st October 2020 Total Cash at 31st October 2020 |
2020 £ 20,953.91 - - 1,123.43 - 335.00 1,145.00 - - 2,600.00 370.00 - - 400.00 - 201.50 500.00 - 25.00 393.84 28,047.68 34,493.83 6,446.15 - - 49,621.47 43,175.32 - 43,175.32 - 43,175.32 |
2019 £ 24,593.13 6,590.75 880.00 1,101.60 320.00 950.00 2,689.00 384.27 43.30 1,830.00 2,300.00 20.00 5.00 25.00 - 550.00 - 13,513.00 - 410.24 |
|---|---|---|
| 56,205.29 69,573.59 |
||
| 13,368.30 - - 62,989.77 |
||
| 49,621.47 | ||
| - 49,621.47 - |
||
| 49,621.47 |
Page 1