1

TheUnitedChurchDorchester

AnnualReport

JanuarytoDecember2018

Charityregistrationnumber:1137996

Location:49-51,CharlesStreet,Dorchester,Dorset

DT11EE

2

1. TheCharity:itsconstitution,organisationalstructureandgovernance.

TheUnitedChurchDorchesterwasformedin1978bythecomingtogetheroftheformerSouthStreetMethodistandSouthStreetUnitedReformedcongregationsasaformalLocalEcumenicalPartnershipunderthesponsorshipof“ChurchesTogetherinDorset”,thecountyecumenicalforum.ItoriginallyreceiveditscharitystatusindirectlyasaresultofitsmembershipofboththeMethodistandUnitedReformedChurches,themselvesbothindependentcharitablebodies.However,followingchangestoCharityLaw,theUnitedChurchDorchesteradopteditsownwrittenconstitutionandregisteredwiththeCharityCommissionin2010asacharitableunincorporatedbody.(RegisteredCharityNumber:1137996).

1.1 ThePurposeoftheCharity

ThepurposeoftheCharityistoadvancetheChristianfaithinDorchesteranditssurroundingsinaccordancewiththeprinciplesandpracticesoftheMethodistandUnitedReformedchurches

Toachieveitspurpose,theCharitywillengageinarangeofactivities,eitheronitsownorwithothers,including(butnotrestrictedto):

a. thecelebrationofpublicworship;

b. theteachingoftheChristianfaith.

c. missionandevangelism;

d. pastoralwork,includingvisitingthesickandthebereaved;

e. theprovisionoffacilitieswithaChristianethosforthelocalcommunity,including(butnotrestrictedto)theelderly,theyoungandothergroupswithspecialneeds;and

3

f. thesupportofothercharitiesintheUKandoverseas.

g. maintainingthefabricoftheUnitedChurchandassociatedbuildingsinordertofacilitatealltheseactivities.

1.2MembershipMembershipoftheUnitedChurchDorchesterisopentoanyonewhoformallyacceptstheFaithandPracticeoftheUnitedReformedChurchandtheMethodistChurchwithregardtoBaptismandReceptionintoMembership.Ourcurrentmembershipis199.Duringtheyear,7peoplewerewelcomedintotheChurch(6throughtransferredmembershipand1byconfessionoffaith),8membersdiedand4movedaway.Another113peopleareregularworshippersbuthavenotchosentobemembers.1.3TheCouncilofStewardsandorganisationalstructure

TheCouncilofStewardsisthetrusteebodyofthechurch.Thisgroupconstitutesthelegally responsiblebodyof thecharity.Trustees,calledStewards,areelected, fromthemembership by churchmembers at theAnnualGeneralMeeting. A Steward isappointedforaninitialperiodofthreeyears;theperiodofofficecanbeextendedbya furtheryearafterwhich timethestewardmuststanddownforat leastoneyearbefore being eligible for re-election. The Ministers are ex-officio members of theCouncil. We have no policies adopted for the induction and training of trustees.However, our current procedure is to give every new trustee a bound foldercontaining information on our constitution, the role of a trustee and themanagementstructureoftheorganisation.

TheCouncilofStewardsmeetsapproximatelyeverymonth.ThechairoftheCouncil,theSeniorSteward,iselectedfromwithintheCouncil,alongwiththetreasurerandsecretary. (Currently the Treasurer’s position is confirmed annually by a 75%agreementattheAGMsincehehasservedlongerthanthestandard4yearterm)TheCouncilofStewards(i.e.theTrustees)isresponsibleforadministeringandmanagingtheChurchinsupportofitsVision.ItsupportsandadvisestheMinistersinpromotingthewholemissionoftheUnitedChurchandthewiderChurchinitsteachingoftheChristian faith and in its pastoral, evangelistic, social, ecumenical and charitablework.TheCouncil isalsospecifically responsible for themaintenanceof theUnitedChurch buildings, owned by the United Reformed Church, at numbers 49 and 51CharlesStreet,Dorchester.

4

TheChurchmeeting,whichcanadvisetheStewards’Council,meetsatleast4timesayear.Muchoftheday-to-daymanagementofthechurchisdelegatedtoninemajorcommittees(Worship;PastoralandFellowship;YouthandFamily;CommunityService,HomeandWorldMission;Finance;Property;Lettings;Outreach;andAdministration)andtheirconstituentsubgroups,whichreportregularlytotheStewards’Council,andtoChurchMeetings.Thesub-committeeshavedelegatedauthoritytomakeroutinedecisionsrelatedtotheirremitandmayhaveabudgetallocatedtosuchends.DecisionsrequiringextrafundingforanyitemsoutsidetheusualscopeofthecommitteearereferredtotheStewardswhomaydecidetoseekadvicefromthechurchmeeting.TheMinisters,SeniorStewardandSecretarymeetregularlytoreviewneeds,progressplansandco-ordinatefuturedateplanning.

1.4TheCouncilofStewards(Trustees)whoservedduring2018comprised:

OurMinisters RevdStephanieJenner(unavailableforworkduringmostof2018)RevdPeterClark

StewardswhostooddownattheAGMinMarch2018

AlexReed

Stewardswhoresignedin2018 CarolIllingworth(May)

HeatherBland(August)

Stewards who served all Year(Management Sub-committeemembership shown inbrackets)

MaryMartin(2017)–SeniorSteward&ChairoftheCouncil

ofStewards(CommunityService,Home&WorldMission)

JohnHilton(2017)–ChurchSecretary(Worship,Lettings)

GillianDaniel(2017)-(Finance)

ColinGannaway(2004)-Treasurer(Finance,Lettings)

RoniBoyden(2015)(Pastoral)

JohnSaunders(2017)(Property)

March2018 JohnParson(Administration)

Observer SueBird(representingtheDorsetSouthandWestMethodistCircuit)

Stewardsco-optedin2018 PaulSmith(Property)MariaJacobson(Youth&Family)JaniceYoung(Outreach)

5

1.5Staffmembers

JointMinister:RevdStephanieJenner,nominally70%(unavailableforworkduringmostof2018) JointMinister:RevdPeterClark,nominally30%

BecausetheRevdJennerwasnotavailableforworkduringmostof2018,theUnitedReformedChurchWessexSynodandthemembersoftheUnitedChurchBridportkindlyagreedthatRevdClarkwouldspend50%ofhistimeworkingfortheUnitedChurchDorchesterforaperiodof6months.

AdministrativeAssistant:MrsJuneFaulkner-10hoursperweek

PastoralVisitor:MrsAngelaFisher5hrsperweek(employedbytheCircuit)

1.6SeniorVolunteerManagers:

Althoughwehavepaidmembersofstaff,thechurchismainlymanagedbyvolunteers.Keypostholdersinclude:

SeniorSteward–MaryMartin Secretary–JohnHilton

Treasurer–ColinGannaway PastoralCare–WendyHilton

Property-PaulSmith Lettings–JohnHilton

CoffeeShopManager–ShirleyHood ChurchShopManager–MargaretKnighton

WorshipSecretary–LindaGundry

1.7RelationshipswithRelatedparties:TheUnitedChurchDorchesterandtheBridportUnitedChurchareinthesamenew,DorsetSouthandWestMethodistcircuitandarecombinedintoajointpastoratebytheURC.AsaresulttheRevStephanieJenner(aMethodistministerbasedinDorchester)andtheRevPeterClark(aURCministerbasedinBridport)arejointministersofthetwochurches.RevJennerspendsnominally70%ofhertimeinworkfortheUnitedChurchDorchesterandRevClarknominally30%.BecausetheRevd

6

Jennerwasnotavailableforworkduringmostof2018,theUnitedReformedChurchWessexSynodandthemembersoftheUnitedChurchBridportkindlyagreedthatRevdClarkwouldspend50%ofhistimeworkingfortheUnitedChurchDorchesterforaperiodof6months.

TheUnitedChurchDorchesterretainsitslinkstobothparentbodiesthroughtheWessexSynodoftheUnitedReformedChurchandtheSouthamptonDistrictoftheMethodistChurch.ItisalsoanactivememberofDorchesterChurchesTogetherandseekstoworkcloselywithotherchurchesinthecommunity.1.8GovernanceissuesThisyear,muchofthetimeoftheStewards’Councilwastakenupreorganisingworktocover,theabsenceoftheRevdJenner.Othermajoritemsofworkincludedupdatingtheconstitution,whichtookaconsiderableamountofmanagementtime,asdidthedevelopmentofadataprivacypolicyandtheresultingconsentformsrequiredundertheGeneralDataProtectionRegulation2018.MuchofthepracticalimplementationofthelatterwascarriedoutbythePastoralSupportGroup.Thestewards,aidedbytheJuniorChurchleaders,spentsometimedevelopingaprogrammetobuildanewvisionfortheUCDforthenextfewyears.

2. PublicBenefitStatement,AchievementsandPerformance

Whenplanningouractivitiesfortheyear,theMinistersandtheStewards’CouncilhaveconsideredtheCharityCommission’sguidanceonpublicbenefitand,inparticular,thespecificguidanceoncharitiesfortheadvancementofreligion.Ourmainobjectiveistotrytoenableordinarypeopletoliveouttheirfaithaspartofourchurchcommunitythrough:

1. thecelebrationofpublicworship;

2. theteachingoftheChristianfaith;

3. missionandevangelism;

4. pastoralwork,includingvisitingthesickandthebereaved;

5. theprovisionoffacilitieswithaChristianethosforthelocalcommunity,including(butnotrestrictedto)theelderly,theyoungandothergroupswithspecialneeds;

6. thesupportofothercharitiesintheUKandoverseas;

7

7. themaintenanceofthefabricoftheUnitedChurchandassociatedbuildingsinordertofacilitatealltheseactivities.

2.1 Thecelebrationofpublicworship

2.1.1 AsaChristianCommunity,theUnitedChurchwelcomeseveryonebecauseGodloves all people. We value our diversity. Whatever our age, background,culture,genderorrace,weeachhavesomethingspecialtosharewithothersand the Stewards’ Council is committed to enabling as many people aspossible to worship at our church and to become part of our church. TheStewards’ Council maintains an over-view of our worship and makessuggestionsonhowourservicescaninvolvethemanygroupsthatlivewithinDorchester and its surroundings. Our services and worship put faith intopracticethroughprayerandscripture,musicandsacrament.Attheendoftheyear,3membersoftheUnitedChurchwereappointedascelebrantsofHolyCommunionbytheURC:RuthArcher,PennyFennelandMaryLucraft.

2.1.2 TheChurchprovidesavarietyofworshipstylesatdifferenttimesthroughouttheweek.

2.1.3 Over the year, the 10.30am Sundaymorning services have been led by ourMinisters, (incumbent or retired) and accredited lay preachers. The typicalweekly congregation is about 117 worshippers. The format for Sundaymornings is flexible with a mixture of traditional and modern hymns andsongs.Hymnsandworshipsongsareledbyavarietyofsingersfromthechoirand/or the singing group with musical accompaniment from a traditionalorgan,piano,amusicgroupwithwoodwindandstringedinstrumentsand/orthebrassgroup.Thechoirpractisesweeklytosupportcongregationalsinginginworship and performs anthems and other items, and an informal singinggroupofferstheopportunityforanyonetolearnnewworshipmaterial.Thereis always the opportunity for children and young people to take part inworship both with the adult congregation and in their own Junior Churchworship. The sacrament of communion is included in one 10.30 service amonth,usuallythefirstSunday.

2.1.4 Sundayevenings tendto followamoretraditional formatwithasmaller,butfaithfulcongregationofbetween25and35worshippers.Howeverduringtheyear it can include a variety of forms of worship, such as: reflective (Taize)

8

style, Celtic style, traditional healing and wholeness and songs of praise.Irrespectiveoftheformofworshipaserviceofcommunionisincludedinoneserviceamonth,usuallythethirdSunday.

2.1.5 OnthesecondSundayinthemonth,anearlymorningcommunionserviceisheldat9.00am.

2.1.6 Ashort,twentyminuteserviceisheldonWednesdaymorningtocoincidewiththetown’sMarketDayandisaccompaniedwithrefreshmentsandstallsintheHall. Typically about 30 people attend the service and, although most areregularChurchgoers(thoughnotnecessarilyfromtheUnitedChurch),afew,whowouldseethemselvesasnon-churchgoers,regularlyattend.

2.1.7 As well as continuing to offer our regular services during the main festiveperiods at Easter and Christmas, we have additional, special services andactivitiesduringthesecelebrations.Wealsooffer,jointlywithotherchurchesin the town,anumberofecumenical servicesduring theweekofprayer forChristianUnity,BibleSunday,RemembranceSundayandothers.

2.1.8 OvertheChristmasperiod,weofferedavarietyofservices:aChristingleServicefor the very young and young at heart; a Quiet Christmas service for thosewhocouldnotcopewithaloudandbusyservice,suchasthosesufferingfromDementia and those going through bereavement; a carol service; midnightcommunion on Christmas eve and a short, Christmas morning service.Collections from these services raised a total of £715.26,whichwas dividedequally between two charities: Christian Aid and Action for Children. AMidnightservicewasheldonNewYear’sEve.

2.1.9 Twochurchgroupsmeetregularlyforreflectiveprayerandmeditation.

2.1.10 Thisyearwasthe40thAnniversaryoftheunionoftheSouthStreetMethodistcongregation with the South Street United Reformed Church to form theUnited Church Dorchester. To mark the event a special birthday tea wasorganisedonSaturday6thOctoberfollowedbyanAnniversaryserviceonthenextday,ledbytheReverendNaomiCooke,whocandidatedfortheministryfromUCD.

2.1.11 Nobaptismswereperformedthisyear.

9

10

2.2 TeachingoftheChristianfaith

2.2.1 TheChurchhasanumberofhousegroupsthatmeetregularlytoexploretheWordasexpressedintheBible,throughdiscussionandconversation.DuringLent2018,thethemewas”WalkingtheWay”.

2.2.2 AkeyobjectiveofourJuniorChurchistoeducateouryoungpeopleinthebasisofourFaith.Numbersarenowverysmall(0-5).MostSundaymorningstheyshare in part of themain service before leaving for their own sessions butonceamonthmeetseparatelyasFirstStepsfortheirownworshipandactivitytimewiththeirparentsandcarers.

2.3 Missionandevangelism

2.3.1 ThisyearthechurchhiredaspaceattheDorsetCountyShow.Theteamprovidedrefreshments,babychangingandfeedingfacilities,gamesandinformation.AsimilarfacilitywasprovidedinthechurchintheweekrunninguptoChristmas,offeringanopendoorontoSouthStreetforafewhourseachdaytoanyoneinthetownwantingrespitefromthecommercialactivityandfacilitiestofeedandchangebabies.

2.3.2 Priortothat,overaperiodofthreeweeksinDecember,werepeatedthe‘JourneytotheStable’(J2tS);ashortjourneyexplainingthetruemeaningofChristmas.Overafourdayperiod,180schoolchildrenfromfivelocalschoolsvisited,alongwiththeirteachers.Inthefollowingelevendays210membersofthepublicvisited.Inanotherinitiative,manypeoplefrominsideandoutsidethechurchhadbeentakingpartinaKnittedChristmasAngelprojectorganisedandpromotedbythechurch’sAfCcommittee.Over400smallangelswereknittedandabriefChristianmessagewasattached.TheangelswerethengivenoutduringJourneytotheStableandAfCCarolSinging.TheeventsplannedfortheChristmasperiodwerewidelypublicisedinvariousways,includinggivingballoonstopeople(particularlychildren)passingbyinthestreeton“Cracker”nightandonthefirstdayofpublicopeningofJ2tS.

2.3.3 TheannualChristingleservice,heldonChristmasEve,wasledbyMrsKarenWhiter.ItwasextremelywellattendedandmanyofthecongregationwerenotregularworshippersatUCD.

11

2.3.4 Thisyear inHolyWeekweagainstagedthe interactiveJourneytotheEmptyTomb. This consisted of seven stations, each highlighting an element in thepassionofChrist,endingwith the final station, staged in theempty tomb. Itwas well received and encouraged members of UCD and many visitors toreflectontheeventsofEaster.TheGoodFridayWalkofWitnesscommencedwithashortserviceattheUnitedChurchandconcludedwithashortservicefollowedbyrefreshmentsatStPeters.All thesecelebrationsculminated inadawn service on Easter day at a local green space on the edge of town, anotorious spot in days gone by for executions. Breakfast was suppliedafterwardsbackat thechurchHallbefore thecelebrationofa familyserviceforEaster.

2.3.5 Inthecarnivalatmosphereofthetown’sChristmaslightsswitchon(ChristmasCracker)weprovidedrefreshmentsandmincepies.MusicwasprovidedbythechurchchoirandtheUnitedBrass,aninterdenominationalbrassgroupoperatingfromourchurch.ThisbroughtmanypeopleofallagesintothechurchandtheystayedtosingCarolsandChristmassongs.Avoluntarycollectionraised£86.88whichwasdonatedtotheCharity,DorchesterPovertyAction.

2.3.6 The‘Story-Tots’group,runbyateamofdedicatedvolunteers,meetsonceaweekduringtermtime.Itcontinuestowelcomebabiesandpre-schoolchildrenandtheircarerswhoshareatimeofplaytogether.Currentlythereisaregulargroupofatleasttencarers/parentsandoftenitismore.

2.3.7 OnememberoftheChurchcontinuestobeinvolvedinthemanagementandrunningoftheQuietSpaceinPoundbury.

2.3.8 ChaplaincyworkinDorchestercontinues.ChrisWarren,oneofourchurchmembersisChaplaintoDorsetFireandRescue.Severalofourchurchmembershaverespondedtothecalltobechaplainstoretailersinthetown.ThetotalnumberofRetailchaplains,recruitedfromacrossthechurchesinDorchester,increasedto17thisyear.A(UCD)chaplainnowattendsattheweeklyWednesdayMarketCoffeemorningatUCD.

2.3.9 TheChurch’swindowontoSouthStreet,continuestoshowtopassers-by

somethingofthelifeandconcernsoftheChurchwithafrequentlychangingdisplay.

2.3.10Postershavebeenputupinmanyroomsasdiscussionstartersandare

currentlybeingreviewed.

12

2.3.11TheJuniorChurchleadersandtheYouthandFamilycommitteestartedanewinitiativethisyear,calledForestPraise.Twoeventswereheld,thisyear,attheFamilyCentre,Poundburyandconsistofoutdooractivitiesandashortactofworship.Numbershaveincreasedovertheyearandinto2019.

2.4 Pastoralwork2.4.1TheUnitedChurchmaintainsasystembywhichallmembersandadherents

areassignedtoapastoralvisitor,whotriestokeepintouchwiththemandappreciatetheirconcerns.Aswellaseachmemberoradherentbeingassignedavisitorthevisitorsthemselvesaregroupedunderanumberofcoordinators,wholookafterthevisitors’pastoralwelfare.Trainingforpastoralvisitorsthisyearhasincludedadiscussionofpastoralvisitorissues.

2.4.2Aspecialwelcomewasgiventorecentnewmemberstohelpprovidethemwithinformation,thewelcomepackwasdistributedwhichincludedtheChurchactivitiesbooklet.

2.4.3OurMinistersoffer24/7careforspiritualandemotionalneeds,Rev.PeterClark(UnitedReformedChurchMinister)fromtheBridportPastorate,offers30%ofhistime(50%forthelast3monthsoftheyear).BecauseourMethodistSuperintendent,StephanieJenner,whoisbasedattheUnitedChurch,wasunavailableforworkformostoftheyear,thegapwasfilledbythepastoralvisitingteam,includingourLayPastoralVisitor,whoisemployedbytheCircuit,onbehalfoftheUnitedChurch

2.4.4ADeathCafe(aplacetoaskallthosepracticalquestionsaboutdeaththatyou

neverfeltabletoask)wasorganisedforthespringbutduetothe"BeastfromtheEast"moststallholderswereunabletoattend.Howeverleafletsandrefreshmentswereavailabletothefewwhomanagedtobravetheweatherandnamesandquerieswereforwardedtotherelevantstallholders.Arepeatisbeingplannedfor2019.

2.4.5Anothercomponentofourpastoralcareisthe“PrayerChain”wherethosein

need,arerememberedinprayerbyanumberofChurchmembers,includingthosewhoarehousebound.TheTuesdayprayergroupalsokeepsalistofpeopleforwhomprayerhasbeenrequested.

13

2.4.6TheCoffeeShopcontinuestobeahubofsocialactivity,offeringalisteningearandafriendlywelcometoall.Itopensuptofourdaysaweekandismannedbychurchvolunteersandothersfromdifferentwalksoflife.Itnowhasaregularclientele,someofwhomareeitherphysicallyormentallyfrail.Theyarewellknowntothestaffandusethefacilitiesasaplacetocomeandfeelathome.Inadditiontoprovidingpastoralcaretoitscustomersthecoffeeshopalsocontributed£7000tochurchfundsfromprofitsmadethroughouttheyear.

2.4.7Afurtheropportunityforfriendshipwasprovidedinpreviousyearsbyaregular

lunchtimeclubcalled“PicnicPeople”.However,numbershavefallenrecentlyandithasfadedaway.Anattemptwillbemadetoresurrectthegroupin2019.TheQuietRoomandtheChurchitselfareopendailyforalltouseforquietprayerandreflectionandasaplaceforquietconversation.

2.4.8TheSolo'sgroupmeetonceamonthforfriendshipandactivitiessuchaslunch

atalocalcafe,ashorttriptoaseasideresort,anafternoonquizoratalkonaspecialistsubject.

2.4.9Aspartofourpastoralsupporttothelocalcommunityweprovidecomfortand

supporttothebereaved.TheMinisterswereinvolvedinfuneralsthroughouttheyear,notallforChurchmembers.Monthlycommunionservicescontinuetobeheldattworesidentialhomesandoneshelteredhousingcomplexand,throughourPastoralVisitorandMinisters,weholdoccasionalservicesatthreeotherlocationsinthetown.

2.5 Servingthelocalcommunity

2.5.1 Withitscentrallocationinthetown,theUnitedChurchisideallyplacedtoofferitself as a reasonably priced venue for many events. Among others, theRegional Blood Transfusion Service runs well attended donor sessionsregularlyonourpremises.OurlocalAlcoholicsAnonymousgroupmeetsherefourtimesaweekfindingthelackofalcoholonthepremises,aresultofourMethodistroots,apositivebenefit.

2.5.2 Anumberoflocalcharitiesreceiveadvantageousratesfortheuseofrooms.Inspecificinstancesaccommodationisprovidedfree-of-charge.Onesuchgroupisthebi-monthlyContactCentrewherechildrencancometomeettheirnon-residentparents,oftenunderpotentiallyconfrontationalcircumstances.

14

2.5.3 Becauseofthegoodacousticsinthemainchurch,TheChurchisusedbyanumberofchoirsforrehearsalsandoccasionalconcerts.

2.5.4 Our Admin Officer, June Faulkner (a paid member of staff), assisted by a

LettingsGroup,managesallchurchbookings.TheWessexTrustoftheUnitedReformed Church owns our buildings and delegates us powers to let roomsunderstrictconditionssetbytheURC.ThelettingsgroupwasformedtomakesurethatwecomplywithURCrequirementsandtoassistwithsomeaspectsofthelettingsprocess.

2.5.5 Weletrooms inourbuildingtoanotherChristiandenomination, theSeventhDay Adventist Church, allowing others to celebrate public worship in adifferentwaytoourowntraditions,

2.5.6 TheChurchShopopenssixmorningsaweekfrom10.00amto12.30pmandismannedbyvolunteers. Itprovidesawide rangeof christianbooks,giftsandcards, and fairly traded goods, including food from Traidcraft. The shopwindowattractspassers-byintothechurchandcustomerscomefromawideradius around Dorchester. Mrs Margaret Knighton is the shop manager,assisted by a team of volunteers. The shop contributed £5,000 to churchfunds. As a Fairtrade Church and eco-congregation, good practice is activelypromotedwithintheChurchandmorewidelyinourlocality.

2.6 SupportofothercharitiesintheUKandoverseas

2.6.1 The United Church has a continuing commitment to local, national and

international charities through members working as volunteers and bydonationsofgoodsandmoney.

2.6.2 LocallytheChurchhassupported,amongstothers:

• DorchesterPovertyAction,throughbothdirectdonationsandfreeuseofrooms.

• Thelocalfoodbank,forwhichtheChurchcontinuestobeacollectionpoint

• TheDorchesterChildContactCentre,whichprovidesasafespaceforchildrenofdividedfamiliestomeettheirnon-residentparentforafew

15

hoursinteractioninasafeandcontrolledenvironment.Thechurchoffersfreeaccommodationandmanyofthevolunteersarechurchmembers.

• DorchesterAlcoholicsAnonymousGroups,whoappreciatedthe“dry”statusofourbuildingsandwhoalsoreceiveaccommodationatamuchreducedrate.

2.6.3 We continue to give financial assistance to theDorchester SupportGroup forAction forChildren (AfC) throughacombinationofpersonalgivingviahomecollection boxes and the donation of collections made at services over theChristmasperiodandtheproceedsofanumberofeventsheldthroughouttheyear,includinganeverpopularquiznight.

2.6.4 InternationallytheChurchiscommittedtorelievingpovertyanddisasterandtofunding development through thework of ChristianAid. Themain focus ofraising funds was through Christian AidWeek, most particularly the annualhouse-to-housecollectionandtheChristianAidWeekmarket,anexampleofecumenicalcooperation,hostedbyourChurch.MemberstoovolunteeredforthestreetcollectionattheendofChristianAidWeekwhichhasnowbecomearegular fixture. TheLentLunchesalsoraisedawarenessofChristianAidandover£1,188.48.ThecongregationatUnitedChurchaloneraisednearly25percentofthenear£19,000totalamountraisedinDorchester.

2.6.5TheChristianAidFacebookaccountremainsaverysuccessfulwayof

disseminatingnewsofChristianAidactivities.

2.6.6 Churchmembers have been heavily involved in other ecumenical events forChristianAid.TheChurchhostedthetravelling‘InherittheEarth’exhibitioninSeptemberwhich focused on the use of alternative energy sources and theimpactofpersonal legaciesondifferentprojects. Other linkshave included:two very popular events with similar, like-minded aid organisations whichhavenotonlyhelpedraisefundsbutmorewidelypublicisetheiractivities:theever-popularQuizNightandtraditionalCarolSingingonChristmasEve.

2.6.7 Members of the Church have shown great generosity in their contributionsboth to regular collections and in other fund-raising activities. The Church’schosen charity in 2018 has been: Virtual Doctors, a charity providing theinfrastructure to allow Health Assistants in African countries to accessassistancefrommedicalspecialistsacrosstheworldvia theirmobilephones.HuwJones, thefounderofVirtualDoctors, introducedustotheworkof this

16

organisation in our World Church Sunday Service. Over 2017/2018 a totalamountof£6,224.38wasraised.

2.6.8 Churchmemberscontinuetobeheavilyinvolvedinlobbyingonsuchmattersas

climate change and environmental issues through our Christian green groupandtheChurchesTogetherEcologygroup.

2.6.9 TheChurchcontinuestomakeatremendouscontributiontothefightagainstinjusticeandworkingtobringhopetothepoorestandmostpowerlesspeoplein the world. Its’ contribution to all Christian Aid activities provides anexcellent example of commitment to cooperation with many of the otherDorchesterchurches.

2.6.10 TheChurchcontributestoworldmissionthroughtheWorldMissionfundoftheMethodistChurchandCouncilforWorldMission(CWM)intheUnitedReformedChurch.

2.6.11 AsinpreviousyearscharitabledonationshavebeenmadebytheCoffeeShopbycontributingfromtheregular“tips”box.£430.10wasraisedthisyearanddonatedtotheDorchesterChildContactCentre.

2.6.12 Theweeklymarket day stalls and coffee in the Hall have again distributedtheir proceeds to 18 local and national charities.Many of the Church socialgroups also made donations towards Church expenses or their preferredcharity.

2.6.13 In June the UCD hosted the summer meeting of the Friends of theCongregationalLibraryandtheDrWilliamsLibrary(anationalcharitywhichisamajorcustodianofimportantdocumentsrecordingthedevelopmentoftheCongregationalChurch).

2.6.14 Over sixdays inearly July, theUCDhosted thebiennialHardy InternationalConference;ameetingofleadingacademicsandenthusiastsfortheworksofThomasHardy.

2.7 MaintainingthefabricoftheChurchbuilding2.7.1InSeptember2016,whentheListedBuildingsAdvisoryCommitteemetatUCD

somesevenprojectsatUCDwereconsidered,twobeing'future'projects.Itis

17

disappointingthatnoneoftheoutstandingprojects,havebeencompletedin2018,(althoughonewasinJanuary2019).Astendersforthenewlifthadprovedtobetooexpensivetheinstallationwasredesignedandhavinginvitednewtenders,onequotationof£86,767(notincludingtheliftsthemselves)wasreceived.Effortscontinuetoobtainothertenders.Detailedapprovalfortheredecorationofthechurchhadbeenreceivedandlatein2018twomorequotationswereobtainedandthecontractwaslettoDiamondDecoratorsofBlandford.

2.7.2AstructuralengineersurveyedtheloftspaceofNo51CharlesStreetandwas

commissionedtodesignasimplestructuretopermittheremovalofthecrossbeamstoimproveaccessthroughouttheloft.DetailsofthedesignwerereceivedinJanuary2019!

2.7.3Somemoreprogresshasbeenmadeontherepairsofthechurchspire.The

Architectusedgenerallybythechurchsuggestedthreecontractorswhowereaskedtosubmitquotations,allrefused!Ofthethreesuggestedcontractors,onehasceasedthistypeofwork,onehasviewedtheworkbuthasyettosubmitaquotationandoneisyettobecontacted.Whenwefindacontractor,ourStructuralEngineerwilloverseethework.'

2.7.4Quotationswereinvitedfortherefurbishmentofthemaintoilets,afterameetingatthechurchandtheexchangeofmanyemails,onequotationwasobtained.(In2019).

3 EcumenicalRelationships

3.1 The United Church Dorchester has good working relationships with otherChristianchurchesinthetown.WeareamemberofChurchesTogetherandtakepartinanumberofjointchurchinitiativesinthetown.

3.2 Additionally,throughtheQuietSpaceonPoundburywhereseveralmembersofourcongregationarevolunteers,theChurchactivelycontributestoandsupportsan ecumenical Christian presence in Dorchester.We continue to participate intheleadingofprayersandworshipattheQuietSpaceSee2.3.6

18

3.3 ThisyeartheChurchparticipated intheWeekofPrayerforChristianUnityandwecelebratedtheGoodFridayWalkofWitness,beginningatUCDandendingatSt.Peter’swithaservicefollowedbyhospitality.OtherdenominationsjoinedusatChurchesTogether’s“Sonrise”serviceonEasterSunday.Wecontinuetoseekwaystoworkwithotherchurchesinthetown.

3.4 Inadditiontothe‘InherittheEarth’exhibition,ChristianAidwelcomedspeakersfrom Bangladesh and Haiti, both areas where there had been nationalemergencies to combat huge national disasters. Hilfield Friary have workedwith us on publicising ‘green issues’ and we are involved in the ‘Big Shift’campaigntopersuadebankstowithdrawfundingfromfossilfuels.

4 StaffingandOtherIssues

4.1 ThelossofourDorchesterbasedminister,theRevdStephanieJenner,whohasbeenunabletoworkformuchoftheyear,hascreatedalargeholeinourwork.She has been temporarily replaced as Superintendent by the Revd GwynethOwen,thesuperintendentoftheChristchurchandWimbornecircuitanddeputychair of the SouthamptonMethodist District. She has given generously of hertimetoUCD.Shefilledin,astimeallowed,intheplanningofworship,inpastoralactivityand,particularlyinsupportingtheseniormanagementteam.

4.2 WecontinuetobenefitgreatlyfromtheministriesofretiredMinistersandlayleadersofmanydenominationswhoarepartofourchurchandcircuit.

4.3 OurURCMinister,RevdPeterClark,continuestogiveabouta thirdofhis time(increased to 50% for the last three months of the year) to United ChurchDorchester,leadingworship,sharingleadershipofoneofourFellowshipgroupsandservingontheCouncilofStewards. Healsocomesregularly toourCoffeeShopandmakeshimselfavailabletochurchmembersandvisitorsalike.

4.3.1 TheDorsetSouth&WestCircuit(comprisingBridport,Dorchester,PortlandandWeymouthandthesurroundingarea)cameintobeinginSeptember2018.Regretfully,RevdStephanieJennerwasunabletotakeupthepostofSuperintendentMinisterinthenewCircuit,soduringtheyear2018/19,temporarycoverwasprovidedbytheRevdGwynethOwen,SuperintendentofaneighbouringCircuitanddeputyChairoftheSouthamptonDistrict.Withher

19

support,thenewCircuithasaddressedsignificantstaffingandfinancialchallenges,andbeguntobuilda‘mixedeconomy’ofmissionandministry,basedonteamsofordainedandlaystaffandothers.

4.4 Ourpastoralvisitor,employedbytheMethodistCircuit,continuestoworkcloselywiththeMinistersandpastoralteam.

4.5 OurAdminofficercarriesouttheroutineadministrationofthelettingsofrooms

in thechurchbuildingsandcarriesoutsomeadministrativeduties toassist theChurchSecretary.

4.6 Themajority of thework carried out by and in the United Church is done byvolunteers. All aspects of church life require church members and friends tofreely give of their time; from pastoral visiting, making sure services runsmoothly,fundraisingforthecharitieswesupportandpracticalhelpsuchasthecoffeeshop,thechurchshoporContactcentre.Althoughwecannotaccuratelyestimate the time given, itmust amount to several hundred person hours perweek.

5 Financialreview

5.1 Reservespolicy

TheChurchhasaReservesPolicy,arequirementoftheCharityCommission,tosecurethefutureincaseofunexpectedorexceptionalneed.

Our reserves are held as unrestricted (freely available) funds which are ring-fencedfromourbudgetedannualcommitmentsandplannedexpenditure.TheCharityCommissionsuggeststhatweconsiderfutureplannedexpenditure,andpossible risks and contingencies, including the possibility of a reduction inincomeoftheChurch.TheFinanceCommitteehastriedtostrikeabalancebytakingthefigurerecommendedbytheCharityCommission,whichisequivalenttosixmonths’worthofourworkingcapitaltobeheldasreserves.Thereforeitisnecessaryforustoholdanamountofatleast50%oftheannualexpenditureof the United Church as a sufficient reserve. Currently the general reserve ismorethanadequatetocoversixmonthsexpenditure,currently£82k.

20

5.2RestrictedandDesignatedfunds

Restricted funds and endowments, i.e. funds designated for a specific uses,arenotincludedinthereserves.TheFlorenceFareTrustisanendowment,ofwhich,only the interestmaybeusedandmustonlybe spentonYouthandFamilywork.Theretwoother,small,restrictedfunds:thememorialfundandtheOutreachfund.Fortheformer,bothinterestandcapitalmaybeusedbutonlyforitemsusedinorworkcarriedoutonthesanctuaryareaofthechurch.The latter ismoney from theMethodistCircuit to spendonoutreachat theUnited Church. Finally a designated fund has been set aside by the churchmeeting to cover the costs of stabilising the church tower, which is in anunsafe condition.Work is still ongoing to find a qualified contractor who ispreparedtotakeonthework.

5.3 InvestmentPolicy

ItisourpolicytoinvestourfundbalancesbetweentheCharitiesOfficialInvestmentFund(COIF),SenatorHouse,85QueenVictoriaStreet,London.EC4V4ETandtheTrusteesfortheMethodistChurchPurposes,CentralBuildings,OldhamStreet,Manchester.M11JQ.

5.4Namesandaddressesof:

Bankers:HSBC15,Cornhill,Dorchester,DorsetDT11BJ.Independentexaminer–MrDenysHood,(addressonapplication)

5.5 RiskAssessments

Becauseoftheextraworkinvolvedinmanagingthechurchresultingfromtheongoingstaffshortagesoutlinedelsewhereinthisreport,furtherworkonthedevelopmentofourriskmanagementsystemhasbeenputonhold.

5.6 Safeguarding

5.6.1 SafeguardingofadultsatriskofabuseandchildrenistakenveryseriouslybytheChurchStewards.Twomembersofthecongregationhavebeenappointedtoactasjointsafeguardingofficersandthechurchalsotakestheleadinthecircuitforsafeguarding.

5.6.2Thechurchhasarobustandcomprehensivesafeguardingpolicywhichisdisplayedonthenoticeboardsofthechurchandonthewebsitealongsidethe

21

contactdetailsforthetwosafeguardingofficers.Itisreviewedannuallyandupdatedasnecessary.Aprogrammeofsafeguardingawarenesstrainingisdeliveredregularlytoallthoseinthechurchwhoworkorvolunteerwithchildrenandyoungpeople,andadultsatriskofabuse.Aspartofthistraining

WeensurestaffandvolunteersareawareofthePreventStrategyandabletoprotectchildrenandyoungpeoplewhoarevulnerableoratriskofbeingradicalised.Trainingmustberepeatedeverythreeyears.

5.6.3ASaferRecruitmentpolicyisnowinoperationwhichrequiresthatallstaffinroleseligibleforDisclosureandBarringclearancearerequiredtoapply.