## **INVERNESS METHODIST CHURCH 2023-2024** OSCR registered charity number SC 012135 **Annual Report to the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024** Inverness Methodist Church is a part of the Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, (SC 038426). The Circuit is part of the Scotland Methodist District, which is registered as a charity in Scotland (SC 038098). The Methodist District is part of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, which is registered as a charity with the Charity Commissioners of England and Wales (1132208). Inverness Methodist Church was governed in the period under review by the Constitution of the Methodist Church of Great Britain as laid down in ‘Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church (latest edition: CPD, 2024) The Church is governed by Managing Trustees as laid down in CPD 2024 under the Deed of Union and Standing Orders. Under the Constitution, the Trustees are Members of the Methodist Church who are elected to a Trustees Meeting from the Annual Church Meeting, which is open to all members of the Church. Other posts holders employed by the Methodist Church are also appointed ex officio by the agreement of the annual meeting of the General Church Meeting. The Trustees Meetings are held every Quarter and anyone who is a member or an adherent at the Church are invited to attend the meetings of the Managing Trustees where they can contribute to discussions but have no right to vote. The mission of the Inverness Methodist Church is to advance the Christian Faith in the Inverness and Highlands area as directed by the Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church. It has done this by: 1. Providing a register of all Methodist members in the area of the Highland Council and the Western Isles north of Barra. 2. Meeting all requests made on it by the Inverness Methodist Circuit. 3. Providing worship in the City of Inverness according to the practices of the Methodist Church. 4. Organising pastoral care to Members and others who have associated themselves with the Church. 5. Safeguarding and supporting the work of youth organisations. 6. A policy of reviewing and developing its activities. ## **Membership** New members were added to the roll this year, however, losses to the membership through deaths have been greater than the numbers joining us, so our membership stands at 80 on 31[st] August 2024. There are still a large number of those attending worship have not been willing to become members of the Methodist Church but are still treated as equals in every other respect. The quarterly newsletter is circulated to some 180 households either physically or via e-mail. ## **Relations with the Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church** The Inverness Methodist Church and Inverness Methodist Circuit are two separate bodies under the Constitution of the Methodist Church and Inverness Methodist Church provides the Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church with funds as requested under CPD 2024. The Circuit is, in effect, a one Church Circuit and as such the two bodies are coterminous in their operation. This is an acceptable position under the Deeds of Union laid out in CPD 2024 and in these terms the Church met all requests made to it by the Circuit. ## **Worship** The Church maintains its place of worship at 50 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5HS. Sunday morning services take place in the main worship area, except during January and February when we move services to the lower hall, which is better heated during the winter months. The after- service coffee and meeting in the lower Church-hall is an important opportunity to socialise especially for those who live alone. We have continued to operate live streaming of services. The church is used for the occasional services, including baptisms, marriages and funerals. It has also been used for special Sunday services, including the Boys Brigade Enrolment service and the Girl Guiding Thinking Day service. During the year 20 funerals took place in the name of the Church, either at Huntly St, the crematorium or at undertaker’s funeral parlors. retired form his role as a Lay Pioneer Minister at the Bike Shed in April 2024. Kings Church Inverness also withdrew their involvement. The Bike Shed is now supported as a project of the Methodist Circuit in Inverness, enabling the Bike Shed to continue as a community hub. ## **Pastoral Care** Pastoral care has been undertaken by the minister and a small pastoral care group. In accordance with the requirement of Methodist Conference, training in the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable adults was offered to all those required to attend. By the end of the period all who needed to attend had done so and those for whom Disclosure Checks are mandatory have also fulfilled their requirement. ## **Safeguarding** The Inverness Circuit and therefore Inverness Methodist Church are bound by the rules and guidelines set out in the guide to implementing the PVG scheme in Methodist Churches in Scotland and the detailed guidance document for reference to the scheme. The document forms part of the Methodist Church’s Connexional Safeguarding Policy and Handbook. This document is updated in the light of any new information and practical experience gained through the PVG Scheme’s implementation. Additional guidance is also available when a Basic level criminal record disclosure, or if any further safeguarding action, is required for those members of the Church who do not meet the criteria for membership of the PVG Scheme. All Local Preachers undertake Advanced Safeguarding Training as required under the policy of the Methodist Church as set out in its Safeguarding Practice Handbook. Members of the Church and Circuit, including those who do not need to be PVG checked under the scheme but who come into contact with Children and Vulnerable adults, are given regular training and updates on the current Methodist Church Safeguarding policies. These policies are displayed in prominent positions within the Church and on the Church’s website and are available for inspection by anyone at any time as set out in the Handbook’s Guidelines. We are also aware of the Notifiable Events Scheme and will implement it if necessary. ## **Equality, Diversity & Inclusion** Ministers and office holders are now required to undertake online EDI training. The ethos of Justice, Dignity and Solidarity shapes our attitudes at every level of Church activity. ## **The Church continues to sponsor youth work.** The 10[th] (Inverness) Company of the Boys Brigade meets at the Church and provides activities for all sections. The 4[th] Inverness (Methodist) Guide and Brownie units meet at the Church along with the 9[th] Inverness (Methodist) Rainbows. ## **Developing Policy** Along with the whole of the Methodist Connexion, the Inverness Church continues to review its aims and activities to see how the Methodist Church in the Highlands can live out its calling ‘To respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission’, to do this through; Worship, Learning & Caring, Service and Evangelism. The Methodist Conference stationed a part time Presbyter, , to the Circuit on a 5-year appointment from the 1[st] September 2020. 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