apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout 27/4/2023 10:55 **Sean Stillman Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023** To pojali@tiscali.co.uk View this email in your browser ## **Spring 2023** ## _**Dear Friends**_ Warmest greetings and welcome to this edition of news about the various aspects of ministry that we are involved in. Many thanks for continuing to be there, interested and supportive of these activities. In means a great deal and continues to be vital in all that we endeavour to do and be. After having to adapt and be somewhat nomadic as a church community during the various lockdowns, which saw us, (Zac's Place), use the beach, the canopy cover of the library and the expansive indoor space of St. Mary's in the city centre, it is good to be able to write that our regular Tribal Gathering is very 1 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout much back at Zac's Place every Tuesday evening, meeting once again in the lounge, and has been for quite a while now. Currently on a Tuesday evening, we are exploring together, Paul's letter to the church community in Philippi. Back in the summer of 2020, I took up the invite to speak at the online service for Parklands Church in Swansea, and was given the topic of the second half of Philippians chapter 2 to teach on. I have recently revisited that sermon, (see YouTube link below), as I prepared for the present series at Zac's Place. As part of my introduction, I reflected at the time how Paul was writing from his own lockdown experience, of incarceration facing an uncertain future. This was the man who had been so mobile and free to roam for so long on his mission trips. He could respond to which ever way the wind of the Holy Spirit would blow and had the capacity to take care of himself without wanting to be a burden on those he was ministering too. Now jailed, as he wrote this letter, that freedom had gone. He needed to rely on the support of friends around and those who travelled in. Whilst he was very matter of fact about whether he lived or died, he must have had to dig deep as he wrote with so much joy to a community of friends that had been so supportive in Philippi, but also facing their own struggles. In the summer of 2020 when I presented that teaching, I could not have guessed how much my own life would change in the next couple of years. Now, nearly three years on, I find myself studying the same passage and discover a resonance which wasn't there before. As I have come to to terms with my Parkinson's diagnosis and make necessary adjustments, my circumstances are definitely changing. Whilst I may not be faced with the incarceration that Paul experienced, I do feel like my wings have been clipped, as my energy and function is not what it was. But also, like Paul, I am learning all the time how to adapt, and importantly to see how my changing circumstances might continue to serve as opportunities in service of the Lord. So, I hope therefore, as you read these news snippets you share something of the encouragement I, and those around us feel, 'despite everything'. Very rarely does any of us feel like we actually function at optimum capacity for very long at 2 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout all, and if we waited until we did before we stepped out in faith and service, perhaps we never would. Paul didn't allow his changing circumstances steel away his passion and zeal for what the Lord had called him to do, and he found new ways of serving the emerging church communities. Some of these ways was in the letters he sent out, which of course the church has benefitted from in a colossal way - way beyond what he'll have imagined at the time. I have always taken great encouragement from my father in sticking to the task of what the Lord had called him to as an Evangelist. Dad's earthly journey came to an end in January, after a long goodbye due to multiple cancers. As a family as we reflected on his life and sixty years of ministry, over fifty of which concentrated in prisons, I described him as a 'methodical metronome of grace'. Learning to keep going, remaining unflappable, when everything around is uncertain is a learned gift in the toughest of environments. I'm grateful for biblical examples, and physical ones alongside me who have served so well. I am also acutely aware that many of the folks we support and serve amid at Zac's Place have to really dig in to get through each day. It is in this community of the walking wounded that I see people continue to live out a very real, if sometimes very raw, life of faith in Christ. So I hope you'll see these threads of encouragement in this newsletter, the buds and signs of life poking through the earth this spring time. In this newsletter, you'll read about an addition to our staff team at Zac's Place venue and how important this is to us maintaining the essential food provision. There's also my visit to Ukraine last October, and then onto Australia and New Zealand. We'll include a few links to things to listen to and watch and bring some feedback from the road too. In deep appreciation on behalf of us all, and may God bless and encourage you and your loved ones. ## _**Sean Stillman**_ ## **Sean's Philippians 2 Message, 19.7.2020, at Parklands Church** 3 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout ## **Some of our crew at Zac's Place receiving a visit from the Mayor & Mayoress of Swansea during our food provision service.** This year Zac's Place is one of two Lord Mayor's charities that he is highlighting and supporting. _(Back Row L-R)_ Gillian, Stuart (Facilities Manager), Steve _(Front Row L-R)_ Bryan, Liz, Chris & Mike Day (Mayor of Swansea), Stuart, Claire (Kitchen Manager) _November 2022_ ## **New Staff** We are also really pleased to report that Claire Thomas has now joined us, on staff part time, as our Kitchen Manager starting last December. Claire, pictured above, has volunteered with us for a number of years and has a long history of hospitality and catering experience. She is bringing lots of new ideas, improved practice and also proving that healthy food really does taste great. We want our guests to experience good food and the kitchen to be run well. Taking on a kitchen manager enables us to maintain that, but is obviously a big step for us, but one we believe is important. ## **VENUE - SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY** 4 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout We continue to provide essential free hot meal provision serving in the region of 90 people each Thursday and Friday, (in partnership with other groups in the city looking after different days). Most of our guests are either street homeless, housed but without cooking facilities, in emergency B&B or in food poverty. We have been grateful to Swansea Council for some occasional small grants from their food poverty fund to assist with this provision. Our venue also continues to be used by the local Rough Sleepers Intervention Team and others such as the NHS nursing outreach team and mental health team. _**Focus Point:** We continue to need additional regular and cover volunteers for the Thursday & Friday food provision_ A video updated filmed by Parklands Church in Swansea last December for their members to learn about our story. https://youtu.be/vhPmrysV5bM 5 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout ## **UKRAINE, OCTOBER 2022** As many of you will know, we have maintained a long relationship with a community of people in Ukraine for many years. Since Sean's first visit there in 2006, a thriving chapter of God's Squad has also developed. Sean was able to make a pastoral visit to the community there in Kyiv & Lviv, at their request, to sit alongside them, listen to their stories, lament with them and share precious moments of fellowship, teaching and prayer, amid the backdrop of the tragedy that they are living in. Sean writes: Space here doesn't permit a full explanation of this visit, but it would be fair to say, it's as difficult out there as you think it probably could be - and I didn't see the worst of things by a long way. I spent my time with people I love, some I know incredibly well and all of them were living with the reality of separation from loved ones, uncertainty about the future for them, their children, and their communities. Some are serving on the frontline as soldiers, pastors and medics, some are professionals, some are volunteers. Others work flat out in humanitarian work, some hold down their regular work if it is still available, (teachers, mechanics, doctors, builders ...), until the call up comes. Some aspects of life attempt to go as normal in some places, almost as an act of defiance to those who would crush them, but this can be a strange tension for those returning from the front line to rest with a ringing in their ears and a bloodied stench in their nostrils. The psychological rebuilding will take as long as any physical rebuild of Ukraine when the day comes. 6 of 16 apps_talktalk_co_uk Exousia Trust Newsletter Spring 2023 Printout Some feel bad that their faith is being tested and they're not sure whether they can hang on - but they manage, day by day. Just. None however, escape the tyranny of what is happening. But faith is not dead. Faith is fragile, bodies are tired, but for those I spent my time with, God remains present in their trenches, their cellars, their homes and their lives. It is a truly humbling experience. Ukraine has always, without fail, enriched me far more than I have ever felt I have them. Many onlookers do not realise the present struggle has been going on since 2014. It is also since this time some of those we know have engaged in frontline chaplaincy and medical support as volunteers. My visits there at that time in 2014 and 2015 saw evidence of this then. ## **BAPTISMS & VINES** Amid all the pain and the great tragedy there are sign's of life. In my friends' Bogdan and Anya's garden grow some grape vines. They taste so sweet too, and it was under the shadows of these vines that a couple of people were baptised in a steel trailer during my visit. One was a young man from Bucha, a community that had experienced horrific destruction in the early weeks of the invasion. Despite losing so much, some would say everything, there were reasons to sing a song of hope alongside the songs of lament together. _Whilst there, Sean was able to bring some bible teaching, pastoral support and lead prayers for a volunteer medical team returning to frontline service. The images above and below show some of the God's Squad community and friends gathered for his visit, baptismal declarations of faith, sunrise commissioning prayers for the volunteer medics and the ruins of the God's Squad HQ just west of Kyiv which was destroyed in the first days of the invasion._ 7 of 16 ## **EXOUSIA TRUST** ## **Statement of Financial Activities** For the year ended 5th April 2023 |**INCOME**
Zacs Place donations received
Grants Received
Insurance Claims
Regular Donations received
Casual Donations
Royalty Income
Hire of Building
Rough Edges Project
Bank Interest Received
Tax Rebate from Gift Aid
**TOTAL INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
Rough Edges Project Direct Costs
Grants/Gifts made in furtherance of objectives
Costs of Operating the Charity
_Note 8_
Running costs of George Street property
Depreciation Charge
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
NET INCOME (EXPENDITURE)
Transfers Between Funds
NET INCOME (EXPENDITURE) After Transfers
Gains/Losses on Fixed Assets
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
Total Funds Brought Forward
Total Funds Carried Forward||**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
5,014
-
-
45,045
8,942
830
-
16,559
-
4,115
80,505
9,250
2,429
73,021
6,950
2,390
94,040
(13,535)
-
(13,535)
-
**(13,535)**
224,619
211,084|**Restricted**
**Funds**
-
4,120
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,120
-
2,768
-
-
645
3,412
708
-
708
**708**
35,267
35,975||**Total This**
**Year**
5,014
4,120
-
45,045
8,942
830
-
16,559
-
4,115
84,625
9,250
5,196
73,021
6,950
3,035
97,452
(12,827)
-
(12,827)
-
**(12,827)**
259,886
247,059
_-_||**_Total Last_**
**_Year_**
_7,519_
_8,782_
_-_
_55,975_
_15,712_
_360_
_-_
_21,530_
_-_
_4,042_
113,920
_8,898_
_13,267_
_75,951_
_19,381_
_3,145_
120,641
119,641
(6,722)
_-_
(6,722)
(1,000)
**(7,722)**
_267,608_
_259,886_| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||| _07/03/2024_ Page 1 of 4 Exousia Trust ## **EXOUSIA TRUST** |**Balance Sheet**
As at 5th April 2023
**Fixed Assets-Tangible**
_note 6_
George Street Property
Fixtures & Equipment
Motor Vehicles
**Current Assets**
Debtors - Gift Aid
Bank Main A/c & Cash
Bank Zacs Place A/c
Bank Rough Edges A/c
Gateway Support A/c
Media Bank Account
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors & Accruals
PAYE Creditor
Pension Control
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
**Fund Balances**
Accumulated Fund B/f
Net movement of funds
Accumulated Fund c/f||**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
46,735
1,832
7,088
55,655
8,180
10,680
121,927
13,668
0
1,453
155,908
33
254
192
479
155,429
211,083
**211,084**
224,619
-13,535
**211,084**
-0.02|**Restricted**
**Funds**
28,265
1,236
0
29,501
0
6,120
0
0
355
6,475
0
0
0
0
6,475
35,976
**35,975**
35,267
708
**35,975**
0.28||**Total This**
**Year**
75,000
3,068
7,088
85,155
8,180
16,800
121,927
13,668
355
1,453
162,383
33
254
192
479
161,903
247,059
**247,059**
259,886
-12,827
**247,059**
-0.04||**_Total last_**
**_Year_**
_75,000_
_4,902_
_8,288_
88,190
_4,065_
_28,405_
_121,480_
_19,053_
_1,002_
_1,217_
175,221
_2,583_
_645_
_297_
3,525
171,696
259,886
**259,886**
_267,608_
_-7,722_
**259,886**
_0.00_| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||| Signed by………………………………………. **Trustee** Print Name……………………………………… Dated…………………….. _07/03/2024_ Page 2 of 4 Exousia Trust ## **EXOUSIA TRUST** ## **Notes to the Accounts** **1.** These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) **2.** There is no change to the valuation rules and methods of accounting since last year. Accounts are prepared on an accruals basis. **3** . No changes have been made to the accounts of previous years **4** . Amount paid for independent examination is £650 **5. Tangible Fixed Assets** - The Bikes (motor vehicles) and George Street (property) are not depreciated annually as the value is being maintained and are revalued as appropriate. The equipment and the other vehicle are depreciated at 25% per annum on a straight line basis, as detailed in note 6. ## **6. Depreciation Calculation:** |
Cost at 6.4.22
additions
disposals
Cost at 5.4.23
Accumulated Depreciation 6.4.22
Charge this year
Released on disposal
Accumulated Depreciation 5.4.23
**Net Book Value 5.4.23**|**Fixtures &**
**Equipment**
**Property**
24292
75000
0
0
0
0
24292
75000
19390
0
1835
0
0
0
21224
0
**3068**
**75000**|**Motor**
10050
0
0
10050
1763
1200
0
2963
**7087**|**Total**
109342
0
0
109342
21153
3035
0
24187
**85155**| |---|---|---|---| The property is split between restricted for one off specific purchase donations and general for all other elements The value of Equipment purchased from restricted funds is shown at Net Book Value in the Balance Sheet ## **7. Restricted Funds:** Are broken down as follows: |**Opening**
**Balance**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Resources**
**Expended**
George Street
28265
0
0
Food Poverty fund
7002
4120
3412
**35267**
**4120**
**3412**
Balances of Funds Held:
**Fixed**
**Assets Bank & Cash**
**Liabilities**
George Street
28265
0
0
Food Poverty fund
1236
6475
0
29501
6475
0|**Transfers**
**between**
**funds**
0
0
**0**
**Total**
28265
7710
35975|**Closing**
**Balance**
28265
7710
**35975**| |---|---|---| ## Fund Descriptions: George Street - Restricted to the building Fund of the George Street Property Food Poverty Fund - Funds received to provide emergency food and shelter for those in need, funded by City & County of Swansea's food poverty & household support funds. _07/03/2024_ Page 3 of 4 Exousia Trust ## **EXOUSIA TRUST** ## **8. Analysis of Expenditure** |**Costs of Operating the Charity**
Purchases for resale
Salary & pension
Bank Charges
Motor & Travel Expenses
Storage
Repairs & Maintenance
Stationery, Postage & Advertising
Small tools, Equipment, uniform
Telephone & Internet
Sundries
Vehicle Hire
Events & shop costs
Books & Training
Subscriptions
Insurance
Professional Fees
Accounting & Book keeping Fees
Uniform
Refreshments Purchased|This Year
Last Year
132
0
45628
45417
5
44
7267
3038
0
1325
369
5605
324
554
749
776
1455
1308
13142
13123
216
216
0
0
79
136
0
0
2735
2377
0
0
920
2032
0
0
0
0
**73021**
**75951**
0
0|movement
132
212
(39)
4228
(1325)
(5236)
(230)
(26)
146
19
0
0
(57)
0
358
0
(1112)
0
0| |---|---|---| _07/03/2024_ Page 4 of 4 Exousia Trust Fd EasyBooks The complete solution for your business finances Tel: 01554 751 032 Fax: 01554 741 577 Email: info@easy-books.com Web: www.easy-books.com Inde endent Examinerfs Re ort to the Trustees of Exousia Trust 1002581 I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 5th April 2023, which are set out on the following pages. Respective responsibilities of trustees and exarniner The charity's trustees are responsible ft)r the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 1441 of the Charrties Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts {under section 145 of the Charities Actl- to follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Cornmissioners (under section 14515){bl of the Charities Act)., to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of inde endent examinerfs re ort My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Inde endent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to rny attention.. {11 Vvhich gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act and b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met-, or 12) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Nicola Jayne Lewis Date... 14th January 2024...... Unit 41 Dragon 241 North Dock l Llanelli I Wales I SA15 2LF EasyBooks Iwalesl Ltd Registered in England & Wales Company Number-. 6950362