Oadby Evangelical Free Church
North Memorial Hall Stoughton Road Oadby Leicester LE2 4FL Tel: 0116 271 3805 email: info@oefc.co.uk web: www.oefc.co.uk
Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022
(1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022)
| Charity name | : Oadby Evangelical Free Church | : Oadby Evangelical Free Church |
|---|---|---|
| (common abbreviation: OEFC) | ||
| Charity registration number | : 1030055 | |
| Governing Document | : Church Constitution | |
| (original version 1974; revised version adopted 21 March 1997) | ||
| Minister | : Gary Stephen Prickett | |
| (in post from 1 October 2022) | ||
| Church leaders | : the minister, who also serves as an elder of the church | |
| : other elders, who also serve | as the only trustees of the charity | |
| Lance Atter founder member of the church |
||
| Stuart J. Glover acting treasurer of the church |
||
| Steven J. Green from 25 May 2022 |
||
| : former elders and trustees, who left office on 25 May 2022 | ||
| Luke Carter-Whittley | ||
| Paul Whalley | ||
| : deacons, who do not act as trustees of the charity | ||
| Judith Chinnery from 25 May 2022 |
||
| Alejandro Joya from 25 May 2022 |
||
| Church property | : the church does not own any property | |
| Charity Commission contact | : Stuart J. Glover, at the church’s address | |
| Website | :www.oefc.org.uk | |
| Banks | : Barclays Bank plc | |
| 25, The Parade | ||
| Oadby | ||
| LE2 5BB | ||
| Nationwide Building Society | ||
| 92, The Parade | ||
| Oadby | ||
| LE2 5BF | ||
| Independent Examiner | : Heather Wells MIAB | |
| of Accounts |
Affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches O.E.F.C is a Registered Charity: Number 1030055
1. Purpose/Object
The church was established in the mid-1970s to promote the advancement of the Christian faith, as is defined in its Basis of Faith, particularly but not exclusively in the Leicestershire town of Oadby.
The Basis of Faith is identical to that of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), and comprises the basic truths of historic, Biblical Christianity.
2. Organisation
The Church’s Constitution describes the rules governing the leadership and membership of the church, the conduct of its formal ‘business’ meetings, the two sacraments it observes (believers’ baptism and communion) and the basic aspects of its financing (by means of freewill offerings, which are carefully recorded and independently examined).
The post of minister of OEFC is full-time and remunerated; other members of the church who serve as elders, deacons or in other ways do so on a voluntary basis and, unless agreed otherwise by members of the church at a formal meeting, without payment.
In 2022, the church held four business meetings for church members. At the end of the year, the church had an admitted membership of 49, with one application for membership to be considered at at the church members’ meeting to be held in March 2023.
The church is independent of any other organisation but maintains a positive interest in and links with other evangelical churches and Christian organisations. In particular, it is affiliated to the nationwide Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
3. Public Benefit Statement and Church Activities
The Trustees of the church have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In particular, the church seeks to benefit the local community by pursuing its main purpose through a range of activities appealing to a wide cross-section of ages and interests.
Each Sunday, and normally twice on that day, the church meets for public worship; it also arranges special services at Christmas, Easter and on other occasions. The church no longer live-streams its services, but video recordings of most of them are released promptly on its YouTube channel.
Each week the church runs at least one mid-week meeting for Bible Study and prayer, sometimes with an invited missionary or other guest speaker. Other regular mid-week sessions include an Art group, a coffee morning with activities or presentations, a play session for pre-school children and their carers, a table-tennis session for men, an afternoon ‘Knit and Knatter’ session for older people and a walking group.
The church’s various activities are well advertised in the church, on the web and by means of a weekly Bulletin which is issued both electronically and on paper. All of the church’s activities, save its business meetings for members only, are open to the public, and several of them attract people who are neither formal members of the church nor regular members of its congregation.
Most of the church’s activities and events are held at the North Memorial Hall, which is located on Stoughton Road in Oadby and forms the communal space for an estate of homes originally built in 1920s to house disabled warriors from the Great War. The church rents this historic property, which it has significantly improved and extended, under the terms of a 35-year exclusive lease granted to it by the Trustees of another local charity – the North Memorial Homes.
In addition to its concern for the people of Oadby, the church actively supports Christian outreach and missionary work, as well as humanitarian aid projects. Donations received for special collections taken up in 2022 were sent to local charities and foodbanks as well as to recognised Christian missions working in needy places around the world. As an example, we once again supported the ‘shoebox appeal’ organised by the Blythswood Care charity, and were able in November 2022 to pass on 53 shoeboxes, filled with simple Christmas gifts, for needy families in eastern Europe.
4. Ministerial Appointment
The church had been without a minister for a few years when, in February 2022, it was put in contact with a Canadian pastor who had undeertaken theological training in Oxford and sensed a call to ministry in England. In due course – after a series of electronic and face-to-face meetings, interviews and the taking up of references – the church called Gary Prickett to the pastorate at Oadby; he accepted that call and assumed his work at the church, on a full-time basis, on 1 October 2022.
5. Financial Position
The church accounts for the year 2022 have been signed off by an independent examiner. They show that, including monies reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme, the church has maintained a surplus of income over expendiure. This means that the church’s reserves have increased modestly, but this is considered prudent given that the fellowship now has a full-time minister to support and remains without a building of its own.
6. Future Developments
The church has occupied the North Memorial Hall in Oadby under the terms of a 35-year lease granted to it by the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes. That lease expired in mid-2022 but was extended to January 2023 to allow negotiations to take place regarding a possible new lease. Those negotiations had not concluded by the end of the calendar year 2022, but are of importance for the future physical location of the fellowship.
The church is minded to register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, but work on this project will not be resumed until negotiations regarding a new lease on the North Memorial Hall have been concluded satisfactorily or alternative accommodation located.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Oadby Evangelical Free Church:
Lance Atter, 1 June 2023
Oadby Evan8ellcal Free chh.. Indep•Trdent Examlnerfs Report Independent Examiner's Report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church (charity number 10300551 for year ending 31st December 2022 Church Offlcers. Report These attDur>ts have been prepared on a receipts and payments b3515. In the opinion of the chartty trustees the accounts are an accurate reflettion of the financial position of the charity and Comply with legal requirements and have our unanimous approval. Slgned on behalf of the trustees Name Office held Signature Date stuart Glover Elder & Interim Treasurer KT. Independent Examinerfs Report I report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church for the year ended 31 December 2022 whlch are set out below. Responslbllitles and basls of report As the charity tru5tee5. you are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charitie5 Act 20111"the ACV,). I report In respert of my examination of the charlvs accounts carrled out under 5ectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examlnatlon, I have followed all the applicable Direction5 given by the Charity Commission under sedion 145{5llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal rnatters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to belleve that In, any material respect,- the accounting records were not kept in accordan wlth Section 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the èccount5 did nr)t comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out In the Charitles (Accounts and Reportsl Regulation5 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have me acr055 no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In this reF)Ort in order to enable a proper understanding of the attounts to be aChed. Name Relevant professlonal qualifications/bDdy Member of the Instltute of Accountant5 and Bookeepers IMIAB} Slgnature Date Heather Wells 1,123 Addre55'. 33 Acorn Way, Wigston, Leicester5hlre, LE18 3YA
Oadby EvanBelkal Free Chtrth.. kcouffttsfor2022 Oadby Evangelical Free Church Account5 & financial statement st Period covered: I" January 2022- 31 December 2022 Summary of receipts and payments 5t (I" January- 31 December 2022) Receipts Unrestricted fund5 2022 1£) 60.136.87 62.54 1.452.12 19,395.74 Z021 Oonations Bank interest (Deposlt accoL4ntsl Other income Glft AidlGift Aid small donation scheme IGASDSI 57,771.70 124.96 1,488.00 1.520.81 Restricted funds Giving for mi55ionary/speclfic causes Other income 8,286.00 18.647.22 0.00 so.00 Total 89.333.27 79.602.69 Payments Unre5trirted funds 2022 2021 1£) 2,879.74 8,712.57 Employment Events/activitles Equipment Admlnlstration Building Utilities Giving to missionary and other causes Miscellaneous 16.936.38 5,961.00 2,057.67 7,304.65 27.259.99 5,962.12 6,010.00 3,487.83 12.241.56 2,680.79 6,031.05 130.00 200.00 Restrfrted fund5 Misslonary giving Donatlons for Emmanuel Christian School Lelcester 5,357.35 4.237.50 5,006.22 17,707.50 Total 81,216.66 59,351.71 Surplus/lDeliclt) of recelpts over payments 8,116.61 20.250.98 Page2of6
Oadby Evangellcal f r& Church: Actountsfor2022 Breakdown of receipts (1° January- 31° December 2022) Unrestrirted funds 2022 (£1 60.136.87 36,250.00 14.941.21 2021 Donation5 57,771.70 33,2.00 17,669.32 Bank transfer Giving via CAFIStewardship Offering box Note I 8.945,66 6.812.38 Tax Teclalm 19.a95.74 1,520AI oiher Income IA52.12 150.C(I 1.488.00 loo.00 138.00 0.00 1,250.00 Hall use Refunds from SUP Away day Youthwork Ilers 581.98 0.00 Bank Interest 62.54 124.96 TOTAL 81,047.27 60.905.47 Restricted funds 2022 1£) 4.486.lY) 0.00 0.00 0.00 940.00 685.00 2,861.00 2021 (£} 4.521.22 1,745.00 1,470.62 835.60 470.00 0.00 0.00 Missionary causes Note 2 2020 Chrlstmas offering 2021 Easter offering 2021 Harvest offering 2021 Christmas offering 2022 HaNest offering 2022 Christmas offerln Note 3 Note 4 Note S Notè 6 Note 7 other giving 3.800.00 3.650.00 14.176.OD 14,126.00 Donations for Emmanuel Chrlstlan School Leicester Contribution to fees & expenses for visiting speakers Donatlon for Blythswood Care shoebox appeal 0.00 50.00 150. 0.00 TOTAL INCOME TO RESTRicfED FUNDS 8,286.00 18.697.22 TOTAL RECEIPTS 89,333.27 79.602.69 Pa8e3of6
Oadby Evangellcal Free Church.. A¢countsfor2022 Breakdown of payments (I" January- 31" December 2022) Unrestrlcted funds 2022 2021 Employment 16,936.38 7,004.70 8,800.53 2.879.74 2,879.74 0,00 stsff worker contributions Minister salary. tax and pension contributions Book allovmnce Relocatlon costs 51.00 1,080.15 0.00 o.oo Events/actfvities s,961.• 1,901.23 579.CMI 121.91 239.94 13.00 3,045.30 60.62 8.712.57 1,022.50 0.00 50.00 19.79 0.00 7,023.23 597.05 Visiting preacher expenses Away day Worshlp seNices Catering Christian Union church fair Outreach Youthwork Note 8 Equlpment 2.057.67 242.28 1,781.44 33.95 0.00 404.45 200.48 0.00 0.00 203.97 AudioVi5ual Computing Telephony Covid safety Mlsslonary causes 5,760.00 1,440,00 1.440.00 1,440.00 1.440.00 6,031.05 1,440.00 1,440.00 1,440.00 1,711.05 Carcassonne Latln Link Mandritsara Valathi Glfts to other cause5 250.00 loo.00 150.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Leicester Uriiverslty CU Emmanuel Church Leftwich building project Administratlon Note 9 7,304.65 3,987.59 85.00 1,293.38 293.00 1,344.00 172.68 129. 3A87.83 150.00 40.99 1.203.44 259.33 1.518.00 187.07 129.00 Fees Prlnting and stationery Insurance Copyright licence FIEC membership Zoom Subscription Child protection} safe ardi Page4of6
Oadby Evangellcal FreeChuTch.. Accounts for 2022 Bulldlng 27,259.99 6.680.00 1,317.25 73.72 13,590.00 1,002.08 256.20 3.204.00 932.98 123.76 so.00 12.241.56 6,680.00 3,368.00 25.45 0.00 0.00 93.42 1,703.00 371.69 Rent Building fabric Cleaning Decoratln Electrlcal work Fire safety Gardeni)Ig Gas work Plumbing work Wlndowtle8ning 0.00 Utllltles 5,962.12 814.79 4.505,72 492.46 149.15 2,680.79 0.00 2,088.32 446.59 145.88 Electricity Gas Phonelbroadband Water Miscellaneous Ne 10 130.00 loo.00 30.00 200.00 Gifts to Individuals Training 0.00 Total payment5 from unrestrlcted funds 71,621.81 36,637.99 Restricted funds 2022 1£) 5,357.35 2021 1£) 5,006.22 2,428.75 1.643.12 934.35 0.00 0.00 0.00 Mi$51onary se$ Note 11 2020 Christmas offering 2021 Easter offering 2021 Harvest offering 2021 Christmas offerlng 2022 Harvest offering 2022 Chrlstmas offering Blythswood Care Shoebox appeal Note 12 Note 13 0.00 1.113.75 867.35 3,226.25 150.00 Note 14 Note 15 Note 16 Gifts to other causes 4,237.50 4,237.50 17.707.50 17.707.50 Emmanuel Christian School Leicester Total payments from restrfcted fvnds 9,594.85 22.713.72 TOTAL PAYMENTS 81.216.66 59,351.71 Pa8eSof6
OadbyEvangeNcal Free Chwch: Acc¢yJnts for 2022 Notes on receipts and payments Includes £110 collected by Art@Oadby group and £100 from Coffee Break group. 2020 Chrlstsnas offerlng wa5 to SIM for Lydla Klng's work In Jos. Nlgerla. Flgure does not Include fjlft d clalmed on appllcable donatlon5. 2021 Easter offerlng was to UFM for Brandon NÈlson'5 work in the USA. Fi8ure does not include Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations. 2021 HaThest offerSng was to SIM for their work in Jos. NiBeria. Figu does not include Gift Ald clalmed on appllcable donatlons. 2021 Christmas offering was to Barnabas Fund workfor work in Afghanistan. Flgure does not Include Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations. 2022 HaThestofferlng was to SIM for the work of Matt & lisa Wallis in J05, Nigeria. Flgure doe5 not inc1Le Glft Aid claimed on applicable donatlons. 2022 Christmas Dfferlng was to European Missionary Fellowship for the Bibles and blankets for Ukraine appeal. Figure does not include GiftAid rlaimed on applicable donatlons. Purchase and distribution of LIFE magazine. Feeto independent examlner1£1501. Solicitorfs fees {£3,755.601 and bank fees1£81.991. Stèff worker leaving gift. 2020 Christmas offerin8 was to SIM for Lydia King'5 work In Jos. Nigeria. Fi8ure includes Gift Aid claimed on appltcable donations. 2021 Easter offerlng was to UFM for Brandon Nelson's work in the USA. Flgure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations. 2021 Harvestofferin8 wa5 to SIM fortheirwork In Jos, Ntgeria. Figure includes Glft Aid clalmod on applicable donattons. 2021 Chrlstmas offerlng was to Barnabas Fund work for work In Af8han15tan. Flgure Indude5 Gift Aid clalmed on applScable donations. 2022 Harvest offerlng w35 to SIM for the work of Matt & Llsa Wallls In 105, NlÈerla. Flgure IDclude5 Glft Ald claimed on applicable donatlon> Includes £53.60 visltlng preachlng fee donated to Ihis causÈ by the Speaker. 2022 Christma5 offering was to European Missionary Fellowship for ihe Bibfes and blankets for Ukraine appeal. Figure include5 Glft Aid whlch wlll be claimed on applicable donations In followlng financlal year. Includes £50.00 visitlng preachlng fee donated to this tause by the speaker. io li 12 13 14 15 16 Statement of assets and liabilitie5 at 315t December 2022 (£1 55,877.79 89,670.29 145.548.08 2021 Current account Deposlt accounts Totsl 47.823.72 89.607.75 137,431A7 Fund5 Unrestricted Igenerall fund Restrirted funds: Bullding fund 2021 Christmas offerlng 2022 Chrlstmas offerln Total 123.918.08 115.931.47 21,500.00 440.00 130.00 145,548.08 21.500.00 470.00 137N31.47 Llabllities Amount due within l year 1,669.28 Flxed assets The Church does not own any land, bulldings or vehicles. Fixed assets held by the church indudes books, offlce equlpment and other fixtures and fittings whlrh am belong to the general fund. PagÈ6tsf6