The Methodist Church - Sutton Circuit, London District 35/39

15-02-2011 Circuit Meeting Agenda papers Page -1-

Agenda item 2b Meeting membership

Membership of Circuit Meeting as of 1st Feb 2012

Circuit ministers

Rev John Amankwatia, Rev Martin Camroux, Rev Nick Oborski, Rev Ann Rusbridge, Rev Julie Underwood, Rev Mark Williams, Rev Des Williamson, Rev Nicola Wooller, Rev Hazel Yu, Rev Ernest Yu.

Chair of district

Rev Jenny Impey

Supernumerary Ministers

Rev David B Holland, Rev Raymond H Norgate, Rev Brian Skinner, Rev Robert Teasdale, Rev Chris Morley

Circuit stewards

Mr Adrian Heafford, Mr Alan Jameson, Dr Mike Partridge, Ms Shirley Breedon

Circuit Treasurer

Mr Richard Smith

Lay workersNone appointed by Circuit

Circuit Meeting Secretary:Dr Stephen Whatley

Secretary to Leaders of Worship and Preachers Meeting:

Mr Keith Halstead

Circuit Property Secretary:Vacant

Circuit Treasurer for Connexional and other FundsMr Tom Styche

Circuit Manses SecretaryMr Philip Sandiford

Missions SecretaryVacant

Elected church representatives

Sutton / Deacon
Treasurer
Property Secretary
Elected / Dr David Gooch
Mr Malcolm Booth
Mr David Crabb
Mr Segun Akindele
Jacqueline John
Mr Mark Drew
Jean Bilton
Mr John Wroe
Mrs Carolyn Gooch
St John’s / Steward
Treasurer
Elected / Mrs Shirley Cannell
Mr Richard Golding
Mrs Eileen Rice
Mr Graham Peters
Wallington / Steward
Treasurer
Property secretary
Elected / Miss Judith Yates
Mrs Christine Asirwatham
Mr Stanley Jeyaraj
Mr Bob Douglas
Mrs Alison Myerscough
Mr Duncan Smith
Mrs Tina Thomas
Epsom / Steward
Treasurer
Property secretary
Elected / To be appointed
Mr Richard Smith
Mrs Eileen Eaves
Mr Reg Saviel,
Mr Ian Hay,
Mr Tony Blakeburn,
Mr Tim Cheung
Meeting membership, continued
Cheam / Steward
Treasurer
Property Secretary
Elected / Mr David Worthington
Mrs Audrey Saunderson
Mrs Mary Freeman,
Mr Bob Freeman,
Mr Tony Brett Young
Mr Charles Ponnuthurai
Carshalton / Steward
Treasurer
Property secretary
Elected / Mr David Palmer
Mrs Caroline Cook
Mr David Forty
Mr John Kingsnorth,
Mr Geoff Gunton
Mrs Anne Gunton
Mrs Sue Forty
Mrs Beryl Jones
St George’s / Steward
Elected / Miss Kathleen Garner
Mr Paul Masters
Miss Muriel de Ville
Banstead / Steward
Treasurer
Elected / Mr Philip Sandiford
Mrs Margaret Kercher
Mr Gordon Fleming,
Mr Vernon Tucker
Bandon Hill / Steward
Treasurer
Property secretary
Elected / Mrs Maureen Patel
Mr Colin Lockett
Mr Tony Tomson
Mrs Christine Dodge,
Miss Alice Gem
St Marks / Steward
Treasurer
Property secretary
Elected / Mr Colin Batty
Mr Martin Trenaman
Mr Barry Miles
Mr David Willock,
Mr Keith Nelson,
Mrs Sheila Batty,
Mr John Miller

Additional members of the Circuit Meeting (total not to exceed 4)

The immediate past four circuit stewards:

Miss Jacky Waite

Mr Malcolm Boyd

Agenda Item 7 Changes to the Deed of Union

The Methodist Church

Changes to the Deed of Union: Deferred Special Resolution

This paper is about a change to the Methodist Church's Deed of Union. It comes with rather a lot of explanation, so that you can see why the change is being proposed. But you may decide you want to skip the explanation – so there's a one-sentence version at the end. If the one-sentence version doesn't make much sense, come back to the explanation!

The process

This is about a simple change to the Deed of Union – except no change to the Deed of Union is 'simple'. It needs to be talked about, tested, and voted on. And voted on again! There is a careful, and lengthy, process of consultation before any change can be made to our most important foundational documents and statements. It is not a process that is used very often.

The process is NOT a referendum. It is a way of ensuring that discussion has been possible at every representative level in the Methodist Church. So there is voting at District Synods, Circuit Meetings and Church Councils, as well as at Conference. In the case of Circuit Meetings and Church Councils, voting on the resolution is reported back to District Synods, before Synods vote for the second time on the resolution. Synod votes are reported back to Conference. In the end Conference makes the final decision, but it will take its decision having heard about consultation throughout the church.

The subject of this special resolution

The proposed change is in the wording of that part of the Deed of Union to do with Methodist doctrine or belief. Some key matters are spelled out in this foundation document because they were particularly controversial between Methodist groups at the time of Methodist Union in 1932 (when the Deed of Union was originally drafted). The particular teaching affected by the proposed change is about ordained ministry.

Background: Methodism's understanding of diaconal ministry

One of the changes in the last few decades for the British Methodist Church has been our developing understanding and valuing of diaconal ministry. For a long time there were Methodist ministers (who could only be men, till 1974) and there were deaconesses. Once it was possible for women to be ordained as ministers, many deaconesses left the Deaconess Order and were accepted, trained and ordained as ministers. (Though these people were always talked about as 'ministers', the ordination service even in the 1975 Methodist Service Book had the title 'The Ordination of Ministers also called Presbyters'.)

As a consequence of this change, it seemed that the church saw little future for diaconal ministry. The Deaconess Order ceased to recruit new members in 1978.

However, it became clear over the next few years that some people, men as well as women, felt called by God to an ordained ministry which was different from that of the traditional Methodist minister. Diaconal ministry was being looked at again, more seriously, in denominations across the world, even if varied church traditions understood and used this historical ministry differently.

In 1987, what became the Methodist Diaconal Order was (re-)opened, and women and men have been ordained as deacons in the British Methodist Church since then. From the 1990s, Methodism clarified how it understood this ministry, as a ministry of 'witness through service', more community-facing and 'on the edge' than the main focus of the presbyter whose ministry is to word, sacrament and pastoral responsibility. Many of the things that deacons and presbyters do may actually be similar, but the focus and combination of responsibilities of each ministry is different.

Both, however, are ordained ministries of equal value in the church.

Over the last few years, the Methodist Church has tried to show the equal value of diaconal and presbyteral ministry, most recently in how we use language in official documents. Conference decided that the language of 'minister', when it is used to mean someone who is ordained, should be used of both presbyters and deacons, since both are forms of ordained ministry. This is the understanding Conference wants to be enshrined in our standing orders. If a standing order refers only to presbyters or to deacons, then that should be explicit, rather than using 'minister' as if it only means 'presbyter'.

To make that change in our standing orders, we have to make that change in our foundation documents – in this case the Deed of Union – first.

So this special resolution is all about the language of 'minister' in the doctrinal clause of the Deed of Union.

Simple??!

Well, it's not quite simple. When the Deed of Union was written, 'minister' meant what we now mean by 'presbyter'. So surely it's just a case of changing the word 'minister' to 'presbyter' in this clause? But on close reading, it's clear that sometimes when 'minister' was used in this clause it means 'ordained person', and sometimes it means only presbyter. The changes on which we are asked to vote are a way of clarifying this language about ordained ministry.

The text and resolution

What follows is the relevant part of the doctrine clause, showing the changes proposed (deletions struck through; new words in bold italics). The Conference voted on the resolution: "The Conference amends clause 4 of the Deed of Union as follows:"

"…Christ’s ministers in the church are stewards in the household of God and shepherds of his flock. Some are called and ordained to this sole occupation as presbyters or deacons. and Presbyters have a principal and directing part in these great duties but they hold no priesthood differing in kind from that which is common to all the Lord’s people and they have no exclusive title to the preaching of the gospel or the care of souls. These ministries are shared with them by others to whom also the Spirit divides his gifts severally as he wills.

It is the universal conviction of the Methodist people that the office of the Christian ministry depends upon the call of God who bestows the gifts of the Spirit the grace and the fruit which indicate those whom He has chosen.

Those whom the Methodist Church recognises as called of God and therefore receives into its ministry as presbyters or deacons shall be ordained by the imposition of hands as expressive of the Church’s recognition of the minister’s personal call.

The Methodist Church holds the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and consequently believes that no priesthood exists which belongs exclusively to a particular order or class of persons but in the exercise of its corporate life and worship special qualifications for the discharge of special duties are required and thus the principle of representative selection is recognised.

All Methodist preachers are examined tested and approved before they are authorised to minister in holy things. For the sake of church order and not because of any priestly virtue inherent in the office the ministers presbyters of the Methodist Church are set apart by ordination to the ministry of the word and sacraments…"

One sentence summary

The proposed changes to the Deed of Union clarify that by 'minister', in our official documents, we mean both presbyters and deacons, so that we show that we think both are equally valued ministries, but there are differences between them as well.

Agenda item 8b Circuit finances Draft Budget 2012/13.

Sutton Methodist Circuit
Proposed Budget for 2012/2013
Original Budget / Budget / Actual / Budget / Actual / Budget
INCOME / 2012/2013 / 2012/2013 / 2011/2012 / 2011/2012 / 2010/2011 / 2010/2011
Contributions from Churches / 320,000 / 308,858 / 156,133 / 312,258 / 310,028 / 310,000
Bank Interest / - / - / 5 / - / 4 / -
CFB Interest / 1,500 / 1,500 / 479 / 1,000 / 1,523 / 500
Manse Lettings / 6,000 / 6,000 / - / 5,000 / 13,500 / 9,000
Total Income / 327,500 / 316,358 / 156,617 / 318,258 / 325,055 / 319,500
EXPENDITURE
Manses Expenses
Repairs & Renewals / 30,000 / 30,000 / 6,657 / 30,000 / (20,323) / 73,000
Insurances / 6,500 / 6,500 / 5,447 / 7,000 / 5,973 / 5,700
Quinquennials & Surveys / - / - / - / - / - / -
Removals / 2,500 / 2,500 / - / - / 1,020 / 2,500
Council Tax & Water Rates / 14,000 / 14,000 / 8,373 / 13,600 / 12,894 / 12,000
Ministerial Expenses
Stipend, Retirement Fund, NI / 181,300 / 170,500 / 87,971 / 173,400 / 166,774 / 168,000
Expenses / 15,000 / 15,000 / 3,653 / 15,000 / 13,956 / 18,700
Connexional Funds
Mission & Service / 52,862 / 52,862 / 24,116 / 48,232 / 46,319 / 46,319
District Assessment / 9,329 / 9,329 / 4,154 / 8,308 / 7,746 / 7,746
Circuit Expenses
Lay Pastoral Assistant Fund / - / - / - / - / 2,000 / 2,000
Circuit Plans / - / - / - / 100 / 174 / 600
Local Preachers' Expenses / 1,000 / 1,000 / (5) / 200 / 75 / 500
Supernumerary Expenses / 500 / 500 / 175 / 1,000 / 700 / 1,400
Invitation Expenses / 250 / 250 / - / 104 / 250
Secretarial Support, Stationery etc / 1,500 / 1,500 / 6,588 / 16,000 / 14,900 / 14,000
Training / 2,000 / 2,000 / - / 2,800 / 1,222 / 2,000
Accountancy and Audit / 2,800 / 2,800 / (80) / 2,300 / 2,970 / 2,200
Sundry / 100
Total Expenditure / 319,541 / 308,741 / 147,149 / 317,940 / 256,504 / 356,915
Excess (Expenditure)/Income for year / 7,959 / 7,617 / 9,468 / 318 / 68,551 / (37,415)
Balance brought forward / 69,049 / 69,049 / 68,731 / 68,731 / 180
Balance in general fund
at end of year / 77,008 / 76,666 / 78,199 / 69,049 / 68,731
Lay Pastoral Fund
Transfer from General Fund / - / - / - / - / 2,000 / 2,000
Funding from churches / 45,000 / 45,000 / 20,843 / 43,000 / 44,647 / 43,000
Less: Salary and Expenses / 45,000 / 45,000 / 21,100 / 43,000 / 59,647 / 58,000
Excess (Expenditure)/Income for year / - / - / (257) / - / (13,000) / (13,000)
Balance brought forward / 4,387 / 4,387 / 4,387 / 4,387 / 17,387
Balance in fund at end of year / 4,387 / 4,387 / 4,130 / 4,387 / 4,387
Chinese Ministry
Income / 30,500 / 30,500 / 16,000 / 20,000 / 22,000 / 20,000
Less: Salary and Expenses / 20,000 / 20,000 / 9,450 / 20,000 / 18,994 / 20,000
Excess (Expenditure)/Income for year / 10,500 / 10,500 / 6,550 / - / 3,006 / -
Balance brought forward / 8,944 / 8,944 / 8,944 / 8,944 / 5,938
Balance in fund at end of year / 19,444 / 19,444 / 15,494 / 8,944 / 8,944

Notes:

Income

  1. Assessment is based on just over the budgeted spend excluding the letting income. The reduction on the previous year is because the assessments for St John’s and St Mark’s have been removed along with the contribution from the circuit. Their only contribution to the circuit is their proportion of the district/connexional assessment. The column marked “Original Budget” is that which would have been sought if the contributions to St John’s and St Mark’s had been included (see note 4 below).
  2. Interest will probably be a little over £1,500 since interest rates are creeping up with the CFB.
  3. Letting income is based on 6 months income for 7 Waverley Way less agent’s fees and maintenance.

Expenditure

  1. Manse repairs is a budgeted £30,000 in the rolling forecast.
  2. There will be removals and invitation expenses with Martin moving.
  3. Council tax and water rates is for 5 manses (7WW will be let for the year or will be unoccupied)
  4. Stipends is based on a 5% increase projected by the stipends office. The reduction actually recorded is because the payment to St John’s and St Mark’s towards their incumbent’s stipend has been removed. The figure in the column marked “Original Budget” is that which would have been used if the contribution to St John’s and St Mark’s had been retained. This is for comparison only with the previous year and will not recur in future years.
  5. Expenses is expected to be similar to the previous year.
  6. District and connexional assessment is an increase of 10%. This is due to a significant increase in the London District’s increase in connexional assessment. This is passed down to the churches and is apportioned on a membership (75%) and ministerial/salaried staff (25%) basis.
  7. There is no further payment to the lay pastoral fund.
  8. There is no further cost of circuit plans.
  9. Local preacher expenses includes £800 for one person for London training.
  10. Supernumerary expenses is for 20 services in the year for Skinner, Hoath and Morley (recently moved into the circuit).
  11. Invitation expenses, see above.
  12. Secretarial support will be less because we will remove Sue Massingham from the costs in 2012/13. Steve Whatley has already been removed.
  13. Training is a figure to be used if required.
  14. Audit is a guess at the possible cost.

Agenda Item 8c Assessments

Proposed Assessments for 2012/2013

Total 2011/12

/

Total 2012/13

/ Increase/
Decrease
Sutton Trinity / 60823 / 62679 / 1856
Wallington / 36848 / 38046 / 1198
Carshalton / 37703 / 39577 / 1874
Epsom / 93564 / 96523 / 2959

St John's

/ 4052 / 964 / -3088
Banstead / 27656 / 26661 / -995
Cheam / 16299 / 17326 / 1027
St Marks / 10009 / 1385 / -8624
St George's / 7121 / 7269 / 148
Bandon Hill / 18183 / 18428 / 245
Total / 312258 / 308858 / -3400

See notes on the main accounts for the reason for the reduction in the assessment for St John’s and St Mark’s

Agenda item 8d Finance Resolutions

CMTF Covering Steve’s Salary

In order to assist in balancing the budget with the reduction of letting income, it has been suggested that we seek to fund Steve Whatley’s salary from the CMTF for the next 3 years, a recognised call on this fund. This will be of the order of £10,500, rising to £11,000 each year over 3 years.

Resolution: This meeting agrees to funding from the CMTF to be used for the payment of the salary of the Circuit Administrator for the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Recovery of £137,088 to the CMTF and Circuit Reserves

Because of the time that the build at St Marks was delayed due to the negotiations between the Anglican and Methodist Churches (TMCP at Manchester), the circuit was levied 5% of their grant of £700,000 for over 3 years. The total amount that the circuit was levied was £137,088.31. It was found possible to recover this levy because of the delay. This amount was returned from the DAF (District Advance Fund). Accordingly, this amount was paid into the CMTF on 16th August 2011. The levy on this amount was returned soon after 1st September 2011. We had been asked by the district if we would support one or more schemes in the district and we offered £30,000 to cover these schemes. The schemes were identified, and the money is being handled at the moment. However, this means that the circuit has an extra £107,088.31 in the CMTF. It has been suggested that this money be used to generate the further 3 months of reserves on the general fund, taking the reserve level up from 3 to 6 months. £90,000 will be transferred to a new CFB account which will hold the total 6 months reserve and will be reviewed each year to top it up to the required level.

Resolution: The meeting agrees to the amount of £90,000 to be transferred from the CMTF to a new reserve fund in the CFB. This fund will hold a 6 month reserve which will be reviewed annually.

Agenda Item 11Circuit Appointments

METHODIST CHURCH – SUTTON CIRCUIT – APPOINTMENTS

Superintendent’s Secretary / None appointed
Circuit Stewards 1. Senior / Mr Alan Jameson
2. / Mr Adrian Heafford
3. / Ms Shirley Breedon
Circuit Treasurer / Mr Richard Smith
Circuit Administrator and Circuit Meeting Secretary / Dr Steve Whatley
Leaders of Worship and Preachers’ Meeting Secretary / Mr Keith Halstead
Circuit Manses Secretary / Mr Philip Sandiford
Connexional Funds Treasurer / Mr Tom Styche
Missions Coordinator / Vacant
Methodist Homes and Ryelands
Link/ Events Coordinators / No appointment to Circuit Meeting
Circuit Auditors / Kingston Smith, Chartered Accountants
Agenda Item 12 representatives to Synod 2012/13

Representatives 2011/12

Mr Alan Jameson

Miss Jacky Waite

Dr Mike Partridge

Mr Adrian Heafford

Mr Phil Sandiford

Agenda Item 13 Leaders of Worship and preachers

REPORT OF THE LEADERS OF WORSHIP & PREACHERS’ MEETING

The Leaders of Worship & Preachers’ Meeting report the following items:-

  1. New Preachers

We are delighted to report an increase in the number of local preachers over the last year, names of those in training are given below. It is encouraging to know that God is still calling people to this ministry, many of whom have very many years of service ahead of them.

  1. Kan Yu

Kan Yu became fully accredited at her commissioning service on 20th November 2011 and it was good to see many people from around the Circuit supporting this landmark event.

3. Lucy Beard

Lucy is the youth worker at Epsom Methodist Church and she continues On Trial and is making very good progress.

  1. Val Imms

Val also continues On trial and is making very good progress towards full accreditation.

5. Rabin Lok

Rabin is from the Chinese congregation at Epsom and he has now progressed to On trial. We wish him well as he continues towards accreditation.

6. Julia Leung

Julia is progressing well in her studies and her preaching experience and continues On Trial.