Annual General Meeting
8th March 2025
St Mary’s German Lutheran Church, London
Co-Moderators’ Report
By the Rt Revd Paul Ferguson, Anglican Co-Moderator, and the Revd Dr Jaakko Rusama, Lutheran Co-Moderator
Anglican-Lutheran Society
40 Years
The Anglican-Lutheran Society is an independent international ecumenical organisation with members from about 40 different countries and from all continents.
: The main aims of the Society are to
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to encourage prayer for the unity of the Church, and especially between Anglicans and Lutherans;
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to develop opportunities for common worship, study, friendship and witness;
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to promote a wider interest in and knowledge of the Anglican and Lutheran traditions, and contemporary developments affecting them.
(Photos by Dick Lewis & Jaakko Rusama)
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In 2024 we had three major events:
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The Annual Meeting in March - The biennual conference in September
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A reception in November
The Executive Committee met four times, twice at the Trident House of the Council of the Lutheran Churches and Lutheran Church in Great Britain, once on Zoom and once at Faith House in London.
All the events and many global ecumenical news were reported in the Society’s newsletter, The Window which was published four times.
The Executive Committee
The Committee (Trustees) consists of two Co-Moderators, Secretary, Treasurer and elected Trustees – an equal number of Anglicans and Lutherans
In 2024 on the agenda the Committee had items which included:
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Planning and preparations for the 2024 Conference
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Revision of Bye-Laws
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Communication policy
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The Co-Moderators
The functions of the Co-Moderators are to:
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ensure that the work of the Society is conducted in accordance with its aims;
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ensure that the business of the Executive Committee is conducted in an orderly and effective manner;
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ensure that the requirements of this Constitution are met;
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ensure that the Society's Newsletter serves the aims of the Society and reflects its concerns in a balanced and proper manner;
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invite the nomination of persons to temporary membership of the Executive Committee when positions become vacant between Annual General Meetings;
The Rev Dr Jaakko Rusama (Lutheran) and Bishop Paul Ferguson (Anglican)
- ensure that appropriate publicity be given to the Society.
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Annual meeting on March 9, 2024
The annual meeting was held in London on March 9, 2024, at St Mary's German Lutheran Church and Zoom.
The Rev Tom Bruch (Lutheran), one of the former Moderators of the Society, described the origins of the Society and its 40 years.
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The Rev Robert Opala (Anglican) discussed the spirituality of Martin Luther, Augustinian friar (1483-1546) and John of the Cross, Carmelite friar (1542-1591)
The Rev Rebecca Daniel (Lutheran) talked about ministry with the students.
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Church in a State
The biennual conference of the Anglican-Lutheran Society was held in Edinburgh, on September 13-17, 2024.
At the Cornerstone Centre, St John's Church, nearly 60 participants from 13 countries from Europe and the United States attended.
The role of churches in many different societies was discussed with the help of ten lectures and presentations.
We heard about the history and current issues of the churches in Scotland and England, issues of the established, state, national and folk churches, the Lutheran doctrine of the Two Kingdoms, intercessions in churches and reflections on the Lutheran World Federation study on Church in a Public Space.
A full report of the Conference was published in the October 2024 issue of The Window.
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One of the speakers was the Rev Canon Prof Charlotte Methuen from the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Episcopal Church.
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Anglican and Lutheran services were an integral part of the Conference
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A reception in November
As in 2022 and 2023 a reception was held at Westminster Abbey for Anglican and Lutheran chaplains and pastors. The Society invited to Evensong clergy and lay members from the Church of England and various other Churches, including the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Council of Lutheran Churches, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in England.
Bishop Anthony Ball gave a tour of Westminster Abbey after Evensong. In February 2025, he succeeded Archbishop Ian Ernest as the new Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.
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The website (anglican-lutheran-society.org) gives members a _ and enquirers an easy way of accessing information about the Society and keeps up-to-date on Anglican-Lutheran issues.
Another important channel of communication for the Society is the newsletter, The Window, which is published four times a year. It is sent to all members and to many ecumenical offices, theological colleges and international contacts.
The Window reports on many Anglican-Lutheran events and experiences from all corners the world, and on bilateral and multilateral ecumenical achievements and so reflects the international character of the Society.
In social media both Facebook and X (Twitter) have been used.
On Facebook we have five regional or thematic sites: Anglican-Lutheran Society, Anglican-Lutheran Society Benelux, Anglican-Lutheran Society Finland, AnglicanLutheran-Society Deutschland/Germany, and Anglican Lutheran Society Students.
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We are part of the global ecumenical movement
As an international ecumenical organisation, the Anglican-Lutheran Society has links especially with the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
The Patrons of the Society are the Archbishop of Canterbury and the President of the Lutheran World Federation, currently Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark.
The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, the Rev Dr Anne Burghardt is a member of the Anglican-Lutheran Society.
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Anglican-Lutheran relationships continue to be important on the international scene, including (but not limited to) the interchange of ministries that is possible through the Porvoo Agreement.
Our Society was represented in Tallinn, Estonia, on 23 April 2024 at the Episcopal ordination of three new Lutheran bishops.
With the Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Urmas Viilma, two of our Trustees, the Rev Eliza Zikmane and Dr Jaakko Rusama.
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The Anglican - Roman Catholic Malines Conversations met in Helsinki, Finland, in April 2024, hosted by Fr Ambrosius, formerly Metropolitan of Helsinki in the Finnish Orthodox Church.
The conversations originally took place between 1921 and 1926 but were resumed in 2012.
They are informal but high-level theological and ecclesiastical conversations supported by the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM).
From left to right: Dr Jaakko Rusama, Ms Mayvor Wärn-Rancken (Gen Sec of the Finnish Ecumenical Council), Metropolitan Fr Ambrosius, Bishop David Hamid, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of the Catholic Church in Finland and Emeritus Bishop Eero Huovinen of the Finnish Lutheran Church.
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The work of the society is done by volunteers - there are no paid staff.
Many of our activities are run by laypeople. We are blessed with committee members and national coordinators who attend meetings, plan programmes, promote the Society and in various ways support the objectives of the Society.
We have national coordinators in
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Denmark
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Finland
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Germany
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Norway
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the United States
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also active cooperation in the Benelux countries and Sweden.
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We express special thanks to:
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our secretary and the editor of The Window, the Revd Canon Dick Lewis with his dedication and tireless work for the Society; he has skillfully and innovatively produced each issue of The Window - Mrs Helen Harding as Membership secretary has for many years taken care of the growing number of members
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Mr Patrick Litton as Treasurer has guaranteed that we have a sound economy in the Society and the resources are wisely spent. - the Rev Jo Jan Vandenheede has been helping our communication on social media for many years
A special word of thanks to our Co-Presidents, Bishops Jana Jeruma-Grinberga and David Hamid who have given much of their time and their deep theological and ecumenical knowledge to the work of the Society.
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Anglican-Lutheran Society Charity Number 1015153
Financial Statements for the year ending
31[st] December 2024
Anglican-Lutheran Society
Independent Examiner's Report
to the Trustees of the Anglican Lutheran Society
Charity Number 1015153
Report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on the following pages 3 to 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011
(“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: Lisbeth Pedersen
Signature:
Date : 25[th] January 2025
Relevant Professional Qualification: Master of Business Administration
Address: 4 Pine View, Fairmile Park Road, Cobham, KT11 2PG
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Anglican-Lutheran Society
Anglican-Lutheran Society
Financial Statements to end of Dec 2024
| Statement of Income & Expenditure Notes Voluntary Income 1 Subscriptions Investment Income Charitable Activities 4 Governance Activities 5 0 Unrestricted Surplus/ (Deficit) Conference Income Conference Income 2 Conference Donations 2 Conference Expenses 2 Conference Surplus/ (Deficit) Conference Fraud 3 Conference Fraud Recovery 3 Total Surplus/ (Deficit) for year to date Funds Movements Opening General Fund Unrestricted Surplus/ (Deficit) Conference surplus/ (Deficit) - General Use of Designated Speakers & Students Fund Use of Edinburgh Fund 8 Closing General Fund Designated Fund - Edinburgh Conference 8 Designated Fund - Speakers and Students Events Fund 8 Designated Fund - National Coordinators' Fund 8 Opening revaluation reserve Gains/(Losses) on Investments Closing Revaluation Reserve Closing Balance |
Dec Dec 2024 2023 £ £ 3,158 2,643 3,194 3,356 517 445 |
|---|---|
| 6,870 6,444 2,398 2,225 1,645 3,483 |
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| 4,043 5,708 2,827 736 |
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| 29,995 1,150 387 50 40,238 ) ( - |
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| 9,857 ) ( 1,200 |
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| 4,760 ) ( - 250 - |
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| 11,540 ) ( 1,936 |
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| 2024 2023 £ £ 22,714 30,276 2,827 736 14,366 ) ( 1,200 1,500 - 9,500 9,500 ) ( |
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| 22,174 22,712 - 9,500 - 1,500 1,500 1,500 |
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| 1,500 12,500 1,831 564 417 1,267 |
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| 2,248 1,831 |
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| 25,922 37,044 |
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Anglican-Lutheran Society
Anglican-Lutheran Society
Financial Statements to end of Dec 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Sheet | £ | £ | ||||
| Investments | ||||||
| CCLA Income Fund | 20,248 | 14,831 | ||||
| Cash at bank | ||||||
| CAF | 4,324 | 21,737 | ||||
| PayPal - Sterling Account | 1,024 | 895 | ||||
| Total Cash at Bank | 5,348 | 22,632 | ||||
| Debtors | 6 | 416 | 1,554 | |||
| Creditors | 7 | ( | 91 ) ( |
( | 1,973 ) ( |
|
| Total Net Current Assets | 5,674 | 22,213 | ||||
| Total Net Assets | 25,922 | 37,044 |
Signed by:
______ Bp Paul Fergusson Date: 25[th] January 2025
_______ Jaako Rusama
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Anglican-Lutheran Society
| Notes to Accounts 1 Voluntary Income & Donations AGM + donations received General Donations Gift Aid Bursary Fund donation |
2024 2023 Total Total £ £ 445 780 2,297 1,430 416 432 - - |
|---|---|
| 3,158 2,643 |
In 2024, the trustees decided to reclassify the amounts received from the Finnish church as a donation rather than a subscription. This was applied to 2023 and involved £1,236 being moved from Subscriptions to General Donations
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| 2 Conference Income | ||||
| Edinburgh | 30,245 | 1,150 | ||
| Conference Income | 387 | 50 | ||
| Conference Donations | ( | 44,998 ) | - | |
| Conference Expenses | us/ (Loss) | ( | 14,366 ) | 1,200 |
3 Conference Fraud
This has been separated out owing to its significance for our accounts. Despite having received references for the caterer for the final night's dinner, the contracted caterer did not honour our booking and did not appear on the final night. This required two trustees to pay for the dinner in alternative locations. Following investigations by the police and Trading Standards, the owner of the organisation was located. She agreed to try to repay the debt at a rate of £250 a month. So far, we have received 1 repayment. However, the trustees have decided not to not to treat this as a debtor as future recovery cannot be guaranteed.
| 4 Charitable Activities Window Postage Window Stationery Admin cost Events Bank Charges 5 Governance Activities Trustee travel and accomm. AGM Expenses |
2024 2023 £ £ 211 61 48 100 1,483 145 338 1,782 318 137 |
|---|---|
| 2,398 2,225 |
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| 2024 2023 £ £ 1,570 1,877 75 1,666 |
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| 1,645 3,543 |
6 Debtors
In 2023, this is the deposit paid for the Edinburgh caterer. She did not appear at the conference. See Note 3. In 2024, this is Gift Aid recoverable which was received in January 2025
7 Creditors
in 2024, this represents various pre-paid subs for 2025. In 2024, it was deferred income for Edinburgh
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Anglican-Lutheran Society
Notes to Accounts
8 Designated Funds
In the year, the trustees created two designated funds out of some of the surpluses arising from the Trondheim Conference, which made a larger than expected surplus. This was due to the generosity of the Norwegian Church there which did not charge us for many things we had expected to pay for
Speakers and Students Events Fund
The trustees have set aside £1,500 to be used to fund bursaries for the growing number of student members of the Society to allow then to travel to future events. This fund was used up in bursaries for the Edinburgh Conference
National Co-Ordinators' Fund
In acknowledgement of the Norwegian Church's generosity, the trustees offered them a donation of £1,500 which they waived. They asked the Society to use it in any way the trustees thought appropriate but did suggest (but not mandate) that we use the funds to promote the international co-ordinators
Edinburgh Fund
Created as a "marker" for likely costs of Edinburgh conference. This was totally expended in staging the event.
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Anglicanlutheran Society Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Angllcan Lutheran Society Charlty Number 1015153 Report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on the following pages_3_ to_6_ Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Acv) and that an independent examlnation is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145{5){b} of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statemert In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, anv material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the CharitiesAct; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Lisbeth Pedersen 518nature: Date: 25 January 2025 Relevant Professlonal Qualification: Master of Business Administration Addre$5: 4 Pine View, Fairniile Park Road, Cobham, l12PG