Wesley Place Methodist Church Lawton Road Alsager ANNUAL REPORTS GENERAL CHURCH MEETING 2013
Wesley Place Methodist Church, Lawton Road, Alsager ST7 2AF Our Mission Statement Wesley Place Methodist Church, Alsager exists to offer to God our best in worship to support and encourage one another on our faith journey to serve the community in which it is placed to welcome all who request what the church is able to offer e.g. baptisms, weddings, funerals as well as membership of church organisations which cater for all, from infancy to old age to make the premises available for community groups to encourage members to become involved in community issues. As part of the worldwide Christian Church, we seek to be aware of world church, ecumenical, ecological and local issues and to support by prayer and regular giving those about which we are particularly concerned. Statement agreed by Church Council July 2012. 1
Adventurers Club Our present Adventurers are young, lively and enthusiastic as can be seen each Sunday morning and range in age from a few months to 16 years old. The leaders may not be so young, but are all passionate about what they do and aim to pass this onto the youngsters within their weekly care. Over the last year we have covered the following topics in our weekly lessons: Peter, Joseph and Jacob Olympic challenges Our Church Women in the Bible Ruth, Mary, Martha Moses, Daniel and Jonah We also prepared for Mothering Sunday, Easter, Fathers Day, Harvest and The Nativity. Our social events have included a car wash and cake stall, which raised 130, a picnic and games afternoon at Mike and Sandra s, a party to welcome our new Youth and Family Worker and our most recent event was our very successful, 1 st ever Pancake Party. Our group is mostly made up of children between 0 and 9 now and due to this we are hoping to restart our Scramblers group in September. Our Mountaineers group is diminishing but this will possibly be resolved as our new Youth Fellowship group gets off the ground. We warmly welcome all new families and visitors with open arms and encourage them to join in with our activities, supported by the relevant leaders. Alison Steele Banner Group During the last year the Banner Group have completed the last of the five banners for the Adventurers. At present we are working on a large Christmas banner which will complement the Advent series of banners which hang behind the pulpit and will be a replacement for the two large Christmas banners we already have. Beryl Guy 2
Bible Book Club A bi-monthly group. In 2012 we read: In the footsteps of Saint Paul: Edward Stourton Galatians and Philippians In the midst of life: Jennifer Worth Thessalonians Leaving Church: Barbara Brown Taylor Timothy Currently reading: Bury me in my boots: Sally Trench For more information phone 875133 Cameo -Come And Meet Each Other Ladies Come And Meet Each Other Ladies is an informal fellowship group. Currently we meet at Astbury Garden Centre on the first Thursday of the month from 10.45am. For more information phone 875133 Choir The Choir contributes to worship at Wesley Place by leading the singing on Sunday mornings and with musical items on special occasions. During 2012 we have enjoyed learning and performing a variety of music, the carols at Christmas concluded another excellent year. If you enjoy singing why not come and join us? We are always looking for new members, especially men. Rehearsals dates can be obtained from Gwynneth Proudlove (01270 585093), Jenny Liddle or any member of the choir. Gwynneth Proudlove Church Council The Church Council oversees the whole ministry of the Church, uniting those who hold responsibility in the Church into one working community. There are about 30 members including the Circuit Steward for the Alsager Mission Area, all ages and areas of Church life are represented. Aims and methods, the determination and pursuit of policy, mission affairs and the deployment of available resources are its proper responsibility. Committees and representatives to the Circuit Meeting are appointed by it. Members of the Church Council 3
have a legal responsibility as they are the managing trustees of the Church. They are responsible for every aspect of Church life therefore the Church Council must be aware of all Church activities. The meetings are chaired by the Minister and although it is a business meeting there are many lively debates on all aspects of Church life! Celia Crompton Consultation on Worship This meeting is open to everyone and considers all matters relating to worship. Sunday services for the next quarter are discussed, and there is an opportunity to reflect upon recent services and share views and thoughts. Suggestions are made for special services and arrangements made for the different seasons of the Church Year Lent, Easter, Harvest, Advent and Christmas. The meetings are held quarterly and are chaired by the Minister. All are welcome to attend and contribute to discussions either occasionally or regularly. Celia Crompton Family Committee The Church Family committee has continued in its role of supporting the social, spiritual and community work of the church. Our work during 2012 included such diverse activities as: Supporting the pantomime in March Arranging our participation in Alsager Carnival in June Organising the Summer Holiday Club for 5-11 year olds in Alsager in July Arranging the Harvest displays and the Harvest Supper in October Planning the Church Family weekend in October Organising the Church Christmas card, the Toy Service, and the faith supper at the Carol Service Our wide membership, which represents most aspects of church life, enables us to plan and organise events and activities which are attractive to most people who attend the church. We regularly seek the opinions of the congregation and inform them of how they can get involved with both community and church events. If anyone has any new ideas or wants to talk to us about what we have done, or are planning to do, our ears and minds are always open! We would like to thank everyone who has supported our social and fundraising events. There are always more to come so check the pew leaflet, A.V. display and Messenger so you don t miss anything. Margaret Keeling/Ian Marshall 4
Instrumental Group Having lost another of our members (to university) this year, our numbers are unfortunately dwindling, but we do try to put in an appearance on a Sunday morning around every 5-6 weeks. Our aim is to introduce new tunes to the congregation, and to add weight to the (splendid) singing that has always characterised Wesley Place s Sunday Morning Service. We have even put on some light music at such events as the Harvest supper. If you play, or have played, any kind of instrument, please let me know as we are always welcoming to musicians of any calibre. It can be quite fun. Ian Marshall Mad, Sad or Glad? Thursday. 8.45 10.00a.m. Breakfast Housegroup meets monthly on the first Thursday in the month, excluding holiday periods. We meet in a member s home over breakfast and our discussion is topical. Any member may lead, depending on what has made them mad, sad or glad in recent weeks! For more information phone 875133 Men s Breakfast By September 2013, we shall have completed 12 years of breakfast and fellowship within the church. When we started in 2001, our aim was to provide fellowship for men from Alsager churches and indeed from no church at all. To this end we have provided a good mix. Our average number is 28 and you are welcome to join us if you are prepared to be with us at 08:30 at the third Saturday in the month, to have a full breakfast and to listen to a good speaker. Do come and join us for fun, food and fellowship. Geoff White Missions Committee The recent events include the Christmas Tree Festival where an estimated 2000 people attended and many commented on how they had enjoyed the event. This raised in excess of 2000 for church funds. Other mission initiatives included giving New Testaments to people gathered in the town to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. The World Mission boxes will again be collected after a gap of a few years. Sandbach Ladies Choir will perform to raise funds for Bible Society on the 23 rd March and a speaker from Bible Society will give a presentation at a 5
meal on the 13 th April and speak at the following day s service. The Missions Committee has now been absorbed as part of the Church Council. Gordon Degg Pastoral Committee This continues to meet as necessary, any problems or requirements for visits are passed to the secretary who then contracts the pastoral visitor. The system seems to be working efficiently. Christmas gifts and cards were sent to the housebound. Membership and adherents list is up to date and again the secretary is kept informed of all changes deaths, new members transfers etc. Bronwen Degg Property and Finance Committee Property and Finance Committee is responsible for the management and maintenance of the Church real estate and its general financial management. The Committee also functions to provide a thorough investigation on all projects before recommendation to and approval by Church Council. Other than routine maintenance the Committee has carried out the following works over the last year Building Scheme progressed as reported to Church Council Refurbished the Youth Chapel and replaced the chairs Decorated small kitchen Replaced flat roof over main kitchen Followed up matters arising from Quinquennial report / Annual Property review /General and Fire risk assessments Plaster repairs to Church front vestibule. David Crompton 6
Treasurers Report - Summary of Accounts 2010/2011 2011/2012 INCOME 86521 91027 EXPENDITURE 98963 90666 DEFICIT / SURPLUS (12442) 361 ADJUSTMENTS 8400 ADJUSTED DEFICIT (4042) TOTAL CASH 44356 44703 Notes: Expenditure in the year 2010/2011 included 1500 which was donated in the previous year and 6900 drawn down from our legacies in trust total 8400. This has been deducted from the year s deficit to show the actual operating deficit to be 4042. Total Cash (at the end of each year) is money in the bank plus money in the investment account. Total Cash 2011/2012 is 14 short of 2010/2011 Cash plus Surplus because some gift aid paid to External Organisations in the first year was not recovered by us until the following year. Income is up by 4500 but this includes 6200 given to us by Rode Heath and Oakhanger to pay their assessments, so Wesley Place income is effectively down by about 1700 mainly a reduction in Giving and Gift Aiding. Starting with the current year accounts, items like this will be netted off so Income to Expenditure will be seen more clearly. The budget for the current year (2012/2013) has a projected deficit of 4000. Roger Pask 22 Feb 2013 Reading Club This has continued meeting on a monthly basis during the last 12 months, with a regular attendance of between 8 and 10 people. We have been exploring a wide variety of novels, 7
from modern classics to modern day romance, chosen by our members (all ladies). Discussion is lively, sometimes relating to the book and sometimes of a wide-ranging nature, followed by tea and biscuits. Jenny Marshall Silver Surfers After a break last summer, Silver Surfers resumed in September continuing our exploration of the internet and tools we can use to exploit its global reach (e.g. Skype). Numbers have not been as great as they were at the beginning, but we now have a regular attendance of 6-7 people who are growing in confidence. Since Christmas we have been looking at how to use word processing as a tool. Ian Marshall Wesley Guild The Guild seeks to offer a varied programme of a devotional, topical and cultural nature, as well as Musical Evenings, for everyone irrespective of age and sex. We are always pleased to welcome new members to our meetings. At the morning service on Guild Sunday the Chairman of the District invited people to The Guild with these words Come and See Women s Fellowship Wesley Place Women s Fellowship meets every Tuesday afternoon at 2.30pm in the main hall from March to December. We welcome visitors of any age and have members from most of the other churches in the town who share with us in Christian faith and fellowship. We are happy to have President Jean Evans and Secretaries Margaret Ebsworth and Christine Harper who we trust will bring us forward into the 21 st century. O25 We continue to open on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, during term time from 9:30am until 11:30am and rooms 3 & 4 are filled with tots aged from 0 to 5 years old and their carers. We offer a drop-in play session with refreshments provided and we ask for a contribution of 1.50 per family. 8
The group is still overseen by a small support group, The Minister, Iris Barker, Shirley Keen and Elspeth O Dell and run by myself, as the supervisor and my small team of volunteers. My support group are available for advice and support for any issues or concerns I may have. The supervisor is responsible for: Offering fellowship to those attending and maintaining a Christian ethos at the sessions. Setting up (on a Tuesday) and clearing away the rooms at the end of a Wednesday session. The floors are swept daily and the kitchen is cleaned before and after each session although I am still, having to sweep the floors before I can set up the rooms on a Tuesday morning. Ensuring that safety on the premises, is upheld to the best of my ability e.g. keeping the main doors locked, removing any visible hazards although the carers are ultimately responsible for their own children. Securing the premises at the end of each session and checking that all lights are out if there is only me in the building. Emptying the nappy bin on Tuesday and Wednesday after session close and to replenish supplies for the baby change. Also to clean the baby change mat with an anti-bacterial spray before session, start. Ensuring the Kitchen and any equipment used is safe and hygienic. All fridge items are to be named for the group in which it is used for and removed if not adhered to. Beaker lids are sterilized after each session and the sprays/ washing up liquid are non-toxic and biodegradable as well as Fairtrade. Purchase of refreshments. We use pure fruit concentrate, milk or water and fresh fruit and breadsticks for the children. In addition we serve tea and coffee for the carers. All items purchased are also Fairtrade. Collection of monies and presentation of the accounts to the church treasurer annually. Volunteers: The volunteers are a much appreciated help to the supervisor. They serve drinks, chat to the children & carers and wash up. We currently have 4 helpers for each day on the rota but any more who would care to join us, are more than welcome. Anj Rawlinson 9