INVERNESS CIRCUIT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH 2023 - 2024
OSCR registered charity number SC 038426
Annual Report to the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024 The Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church is a part of the Scotland District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The district is registered as a charity in Scotland (SC 038098). The Methodist Church of Great Britain is registered as a charity with the Charity Commissioners of England and Wales (1132208). The Inverness Circuit was governed in the period under review by the Methodist Church of Great Britain as laid down in ‘Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church’ (CPD, 2024).
The Circuit Meeting remains the local governing body of the Inverness Circuit and is constituted in accordance with the schedules laid down by the Methodist Church (CPD, 2024). During the period of this report the Circuit Meeting met four times. There are 11 members of the Circuit Meeting all of which, under the Methodist Constitution, are Trustees of the Circuit.
Between the Circuit Meetings, the Circuit Leadership Team meets on a regular basis to fulfil the executive function for the Circuit Meeting but cannot make substantial decisions in isolation and can only make recommendations for the Circuit Meeting to approve or otherwise.
The Inverness Circuit is responsible for the oversight and direction of the work of the Methodist Church throughout the area of the Highland Council and such parts of the Western Isles as directed by the Synod of the Methodist Church in Scotland. The work of the Circuit is to advance the Christian Faith throughout its area in accordance with the doctrinal and disciplinary standards of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. In accordance with these standards, it acts in a coordinating role through a single congregation, Inverness Methodist Church, a separate charity, (SC 012135).
In fulfilling its coordinating role, the Circuit carries out a number of functions:
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1.The oversight and administration of Ministers stationed in the Inverness Circuit by the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
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2.The provision of worship in the Inverness Circuit.
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3.The provision of accommodation for the Minister stationed in the Inverness Circuit by the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
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4.The development of policy to meet the tasks given to it by the Methodist Church of Great Britain through the Synod of the Methodist Church in Scotland and as laid down in CPD 2024.
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The pastoral support and care of any Supernumerary Ministers and other members of the Methodist Community residing in the Highland area.
Administration of the Inverness Circuit: Organisation
The Circuit Meeting remains the governing body of the circuit and is constituted in accordance with the arrangements laid down in CPD 2024. Currently there are 11 members of the circuit meeting. The Circuit Meeting meets jointly with the Church Council four times a year. During 2023/24 we continued to have a mix of on-line and face-to-face meetings.
The Circuit Leadership Team meets regularly in between the Circuit Meeting to fulfil the executive function for the Circuit Meeting.
All members of the Circuit Meeting are the Trustees for the Circuit.
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.
During the period of this report, the was the superintendent minister for the Inverness Circuit of the Methodist Church.
During the period of this report, the Lay Pioneer Minister retired from his role.
The provision of worship in the Inverness Circuit:
Three times a year the Circuit publishes a Plan of services for the forthcoming four months. Ministers stationed in the Circuit, Local Preachers and others, invited by the superintendent minister, conduct these services as well as leading or organising other occasional opportunities to meet as a congregation for worship and fellowship.
Provision of accommodation for the Minister in the Inverness Circuit:
The Circuit Provides a Manse at 17 Wester Elm Drive, Inverness, IV2 5JN. The provision of the Manse conforms to the requirements as set out in CPD 2024.
The Development of Policy:
The Inverness Circuit continues to review its work with the youth organisations which meet on the premises, and its work in the local community. These have led to changes in what services are offered and the range of people they are offered to. It also constantly reviews its policy as part of the wider District and of the Methodist Church in Scotland.
As part of this the Minister, Circuit Steward and Church Steward at Inverness Methodist Church, the Church Treasurer, and the Circuit Safeguarding Officer, have regular and frequent meetings to oversee policy development and delivery.
They report to the Managing Trustees of the Circuit who meet quarterly during the year. It also has a remit to undertake a review of its financial position and its proper usage of any monies relating to its charitable status.
Safeguarding
The Inverness Circuit and therefore Inverness Methodist Church are bound by the Safeguarding Policies as set by the Methodist Church in Great Britain, along with implementing the PVG scheme.
The Methodist Church’s Connexional Safeguarding Policy and Handbook additionally covers the regulations relating to Scotland. The Scotland District of the Methodist Church also provide updates 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 Church and Circuit stewards and Local Preachers receive Advanced Safeguarding training as required under the policy of the Methodist Church and as set out in its Safeguarding Practice Handbook. In addition, 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 its website and are available for inspection by anyone at any time as set out in the Handbook’s Guidelines.
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.
Pastoral Care of Ministers:
Under Methodist Constitution (CPD, 2024) it is the responsibility of the Circuit in which a Supernumerary minister resides to offer pastoral support to that minister.
The pastoral care of the current Superintendent Minister is the responsibility of the Chair of the Methodist Church Scotland District and the local Circuit.
The Methodist Conference stationed a part time Presbyter, Rev Andrew Bryer, to the Circuit on a 5-year appointment from 1[st] September 2020.
Signed: Date: 29th January 2025
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