**Charity number 1038968**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER, 2020.**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|**1 - 4**|
|Independent Examiner's Report|**5**|
|Receipts and Payments Account|**6**|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|**7**|
|Accounting Policies|**8**|
|Notes to the Accounts|**9**|
**MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December, 2020.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:**
**MAIN CHARITY NAME:** Market Rasen New Life Christian Fellowship **MANAGEMENT TRUSTEES:** C. Smith G. Taylor N. Palmer R. Sheppard V. Blundell M. May **PRINCIPAL ADDRESS:** Market Rasen New Life Centre, Serpentine Street, **MARKET RASEN.** LN8 3AR **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:** C. M. Tams, A.C.A. **BANKERS:** The Co-operative Bank plc, P. O. Box 250, Delf House, Southway, **SKELMERSDALE.** WN8 6WT
**CHARITY NUMBER:** 1038968
## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing Document**
The charity is governed by a Trust Deed dated 13 May, 1994.
The policy and operating decision of the Charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Trust. The spiritual authority for the government of the church itself rests with the elders.
## **APPOINTMENT AND RECRUITMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES**
New Trustees are appointed by the Trustees, usually after consultation with the elders. They seek to recruit members to provide a balance of skills to the Trust.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Charity’s Objectives**
The trust seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by advancing the Christian religion, relieving persons in conditions of need, hardship or distress or who are aged or sick.
The trust seeks to advance the Christian Faith and relieve need in the community and further afield.
**- 1 -**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)**
The year **2020** and the start of a **new decade** have been a time of considerable **challenge** and of **new opportunities** too to share the truth of the **gospel** as well as relieving **need** in our locality and beyond. At the outset of the year, **Mike May** (Leadership Team) communicated in his January newsletter that he sensed the decade ahead would be ‘an **unprecedented time** ’ but one where the church stands out as ‘a **beacon of light** ’. As the implications of **Covid-19** and a global pandemic began to **unfold** , especially after the **first lockdown in March 2020** , it was evident that 2020 was going to be a different year but one in which we sensed God was asking us as His church to keep **pointing people to Jesus** through Word and Spirit and through **practical love in action** and to stand in the gap of despair and confusion.
Before the first lockdown, a three month season of very well attended Saturday **training sessions** had been set in motion at our Church Centre including ‘ **Walking into Your Inheritance** ’ (January), **Alpha Training** (February), and **Safeguarding** Sessions with 31:8 (March). Our Centre Point Team of volunteers who work with children were able to join the **‘Priceless’** training with Ground Level Network in (Grimsby). This pre-Covid time proved to be **a time of preparation** in many ways including for our **Food Bank** which moved from what had been a a once a week operation for many years ( as the ‘Church larder’) to a 3 day a week operation from January 2020 onwards with a drop in coffee and chat facility which ran until mid-March. After then, it was soon evident that we needed to expand Food Bank to opening on **all 5 weekday mornings** as needs and referrals increased. For several months we were providing Food Parcels for Caistor area too until a Food Bank re-opened there in May of 2021. An amazing group of **volunteers** have assisted with phone calls, administration, packing, shopping and deliveries including to outlying villages. Provision has come from many sources: grants, in-kind donations, local businesses and individuals. We have been grateful for the way the work has been **supported and sustained** and the opportunities we have had to **build relationships** and work in liaison with local authorities, schools and other voluntary community groups. During 2020, we were also able to play our part in the Town’s Community Partnership by providing volunteers for a **Friendship Phone line** and for **special deliveries** to over 200 people at **Easter** time, **picnic boxes on VE Day** ( June 2020), **afternoon teas on August Bank Holiday** and **Christmas Gifts & Hampers** . Our own Food Bank work has extended beyond food to acquiring furniture, clothing and utility support for people in need.
**Staying connected** , **caring and encouraging one another as Church family** was paramount throughout 2020. As new ways of online communication (especially through Zoom & WhatsApp) took off, we endeavoured to ensure those without internet access or who found online forms of communication difficult were properly cared for too with regular phone calls, doorstep visits, CD recordings and a vibrant twice a month New Life News publication edited by John & Val Blundell during May-August. Our **mid-week community groups** played a vital part in keeping people connected throughout the year and by December these had been reorganized into much smaller groups of six people to help us all ‘ **worship through the winter** ’ together and to meet outside when Covid regulations allowed for this.
There were **new opportunities** that arose too as **public Sunday services** at the Church Centre building were replaced by **online** ones and which new people were able to dip into and out of and it has been heartening that some have come in this way and found a home here. During 2020 there were several **seasons of adjustment and new developments** in the ever- changing Covid territory. It was a privilege to be able to join with **Alive Lincoln** for Sunday services in **March and April 2020** on You Tube whilst we recorded and shared short video **Monday Morning Messages** and audio **mid week sermons** from our team of speakers and preachers. We began our own pre-recorded services on **You Tube** with pre-and after service live chat on May 10[th] and during the **next 14 weeks** an amazing **54 people** (and 2 cats!) from our midst took an active part in these services (more than ‘normal’) and the number of ‘views’ of some of these services was in excess of **200** (far more than ‘normal’!) and a new window of opportunity to reach out with the gospel. Along the way, our musicians led by **Jen May** and Tech Team met regularly online and resourced the church with a wonderful worship library of over 90 songs recorded at home during the year and some amazing new ones inspired by the Holy Spirit. Our **Facebook** followers increased from 100 in January 2020 to the current numbers of 352 – an indication of people seeking meaning and God being at work. We are so thankful to God for all of these opportunities. Weekly **Prayer Meetings** and more frequent **Together for Purpose Meetings,** both on Zoom, allowed for more **interaction** and moves of the **Holy Spirit** as well as the space to share **Communion** together more frequently too in our own homes whenever we met.
In **September 2020** , with all the necessary Covid-safe preparations and risk assessments in place, **in-person services** were held for **9 weeks** and included the joy of one **new believer being baptized** during this time, the second one of the year, the first one having been baptised just before the first lockdown in March. A new camera allowed services to be videod and shared more widely.
**- 2 -**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)**
A successful October half-term **outreach activity for children** (Bulbs, Burgers and a Movie!) was organised by **Pam Cattell** who also headed up **Sunday Centre Point** with husband Dave for 9 weeks. In this autumn season, **Jane Bridger** started running the **‘Omega Course’** for **older people** in-person at the Centre which especially helped some of those who were rather isolated.
We were also able to make our Church Centre available to **community hirers** from September 2020 in a Covid-safe way (though we had offered slightly earlier usage by We Are With You – as an essential drugs counselling service – and also for Pediatric First Aid Training sessions run by Clip Learning.
Whilst there were **some advantages** of meeting together for Sunday Services in person albeit with face coverings and for a shorter time , the constraints of ‘ **no singing, mingling and lingering** ’ as well as local Covid rates rising caused us to re-assess and in **November** we began another **season of Sunday services** this time **on Zoom** to allow for singing at home, seeing each other’s faces and more personal interaction and ministry ( services were also recorded, edited and later uploaded to You Tube for wider reach) This proved to be a long season for the **next 33 weeks** and lasting well into the middle of 2021. Again, new people came along too which was encouraging and led us to plan for an **Online Alpha** early in 2021.
The year was marked by sadnesses as well as joys. **Geoff Handford** died on October 4[th] and is sadly missed by Anita, his wife, and by all of New Life Church family. Geoff was a long-time member of the church, a former elder, a fatherly figure, a preacher of the gospel, and a practical man who got stuck into many a refurbishment job at the Church Centre.
The leadership of the church has handled some **challenging pastoral issues** in sensitive and hopefully wise ways and whilst there have been some newcomers joining church family, several others have chosen to leave during 2020 with our blessing.
**Other highlights** of the year included a superb outreach activity in January at **Binbrook** Village Hall with pupils of Binbrook School and parents packed in for an amazing **iSing Pop concert** which we were able to fund. In May, **Paul Hiley** successfully launched his **book** via Zoom “ **Small Church, Big God** ” which testifies to many changed lives through the work of MRNLC over the 30+ years that Paul led and pastored MRNLC. In December, whilst the traditional 4 yearly inter-church Market Place Nativity Mime could not take place, we were able to help ‘ **Light Up Rasen** ’ with a very effective shop window display at Clip Café in the centre of town as well as providing volunteers to help put up new Christmas lights in the town.
The Church Centre is a **hub** from we can reach out and serve the community and further progress has been made with the **refurbishment** of the Church Centre **.** Opportunity arose during 2020 to involve **Richard Findlay** in much of this ongoing work. **Sue Eizzard** (now Jewitt) kindly took on some of our **Finance Officer’s** work on a voluntary basis. We are very thankful **Louis Mullaney** who undertook this work for six years until March 2020.
Whilst delegation, sharing of responsibilities and release of gifting was not a straightforward process during Covid-times, some significant areas have developed with a new **Media Team** of **Richard Findlay, Sue Eizzard –** now Jewitt **- Andrea Fletcher and Rhona Sheppard** helping to pave the way for a **new website** to be launched early in 2021 and a new team of **Prayer Co-ordinators** ( **Jane Bridger, Sheila Griffiths and Christine Jewitt** ) developing prayer communications to ensure the ongoing and all important prayer cover for church as well as helping lead times together to pray and **listen** to God. The **Wider Team** 6 people) who supported leadership team of Mike May and Rhona Sheppard had become smaller by the end of 2020 as John and Val Blundell stepped out of this team in September 2020 to focus on their prophetic art ministry and village community. **Strengthening leadership** will be an area for development 2021 and 2022 as will the timely appointment of one or more Trustees.
**- 3 -**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)**
**Other developments for 2021** include a major preaching series on **John’s Gospel** which ‘was written that people might believe”, running Online and in-person **Alpha Courses** , seeking new ways forward particularly for **children and families** , and opening up the Church Centre for **financial advice** /debt counselling, drop in **Coffee and Chat** and in time **Cooking on a Budget** sessions. Maintaining **Unity** , developing **Community** and releasing **Gifting** remain our key **values** as we seek to fulfill with God’s help for our expanded **Vision** to see more of God’s Kingdom come in this rural area of 430 square miles (up from 200 sq miles!) of farmsteads, hamlets and villages around Market Rasen. It is a privilege to be God’s image bearers and to be an AVODAH people (‘avodah’ = Hebrew for work/worship/service) as emphasized by one of our preaching team, **Andy Clarke** .
During the challenging year of 2020, we have been able to continue to **meet our charitable objectives** to share the gospel and relieve need as reflected in our **annual accounts** . We have not had problems with meeting our general running costs and outgoings despite some loss of expected income through zero Room hire from April-August and some reduction in Sunday offerings. Our reserves remain intact. We serve a generous God who we believe provides for His work. During 2020 MRNLC was wholly run by volunteers, though it is anticipated as things grow and develop further that it will be appropriate and necessary in 2021 and 2022 for some **part-time paid employment** posts to be put in place with the agreement of Trustees.
One of the hallmarks of 2020 was regularly singing **“The Blessing”** over our locality and nation to bring **hope and encouragement** during such an unprecedented year and it was a privilege for the Food Bank Team to end the year by being part of the video put together by Churches Together in All Lincolnshire of this scripturally inspired song and prayer:
_The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His Face toward you and give you peace Amen, amen, amen_
_May His favour be upon you and a thousand generations and your family and your children and their children, and their children May His presence go before you and behind you, and beside you; All around you, and within you; He is with you, He is with you Amen…_
## **Signed on behalf of the Trustees**
**……………………………………………**
## **R. Sheppard**
**……………………………………………**
## **Date**
**- 4 -**
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Market Rasen New Life**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Market Rasen New Life (The Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2020.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
C. M. Tams A.C.A Smethurst & Co LLP 12 Abbey Road GRIMSBY DN32 0HL
Date: …………………………….
**- 5 -**
**RECEIPTS AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2020.**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST**
## **PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
|**Restricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2020**
**RECEIPTS:**
**Voluntary Receipts:**
General Donations
1,113
44,939
46,052
Foodbank
6,090
-
6,090
Tax Refunds under Gift Aid
-
11,327
11,327
Investment Income received
-
42
42
Other Receipts
-
4,952
4,952
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**£7,203**
**£61,260**
**£68,463**
=======
========
=========
**PAYMENTS**
Grants paid
587
7,658
8,245
Other costs of charitable activities
4,616
34,756
39,372
Governance costs
-
1,080
1,080
**£5,203**
**£43,494**
**£48,697**
=======
========
========
**ASSET AND INVESTMENT PURCHASES**
Property and improvements
76
17,095
17,171
Equipment
-
1,834
1,834
**£76**
**£18,929**
**£19,005**
====
========
========
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**£5,279**
**£62,423**
**£67,702**
=======
=========
=========
**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS)**
**£1,924**
**£(1,163)**
**£761**
=======
========
=====|**Total**
**2019**
50,547
-
14,564
96
8,202
**£73,409**
==========
8,507
44,621
1,200
**£54,328**
========
5,269
8,028
**£13,297**
=========
**£67,625**
=========
**£5,784**
=======|
|---|---|
**- 6 -**
## **MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED**
**STATEMENT OF ASSETS 31 DECEMBER, 2020.**
## **AND LIABILITIES**
||**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2020**||**2020**|**2020**|**2019**|
||**Original**||**Original**|**Original**|**Original**|
||**Cost**||**Cost**|**Cost**|**Cost**|
|**FIXED ASSETS**||||||
|Property and improvements||-|324,931|324,931|307,760|
|Equipment||-|50,867|50,867|49,025|
||**£**|**-**|**£375,798**|**£375,798**|**£356,785**|
||===||=======|=======|=======|
|**BANK AND CASH BALANCES**||||||
|Cash at Bank|**£1,924**||**£36,572**|**£38,496**|**£37,735**|
||=====||======|======|======|
|**OTHER MONETARY ASSETS**||||||
|Gift Aid tax recovery||-|248|248|1,249|
|Debtors||-|208|208|-|
||**£**|**-**|**£456**|**£456**|**£1,249**|
||===||====|====|=====|
|**LIABILITIES**||||||
|Fees for Independent Examination and||||||
|other Accountancy Costs||-|1,080|1,080|1,080|
|Mortgage||-|128,762|128,762|138,539|
||**£**|**-**|**£129,842**|**£129,842**|**£139,619**|
||===||=======|=======|=======|
## **Signed on behalf of the Trustees**
**.................................................................**
## **R. Sheppard**
**................................................................. Date**
**- 7 -**
**MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST**
**ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2020.**
## **a) BASIS OF ACCOUNTING**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities.
**- 8 -**
**MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST**
**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2020.**
## **1.**
|**OTHER COSTS OF**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**2020**|**2019**|
|Church Events|-|431|431|2,273|
|Foodbank|4,616|-|4,616|-|
|Employment Costs|-|-|-|4,305|
|Equipment Repairs and Renewals|-|5,948|5,948|5,245|
|Light and Heat|-|2,349|2,349|2,751|
|General Expenses|-|2,034|2,034|3,975|
|Rates|-|1,114|1,114|616|
|Insurance|-|1,740|1,740|1,682|
|Travel Expenses|-|1,071|1,071|2,069|
|Literature, Stationery and Postage|-|429|429|2,205|
|Telephone|-|624|624|661|
|Training|-|2,079|2,079|2,363|
|Youth Work|-|187|187|363|
|Mortgage repayments|-|16,113|16,113|16,113|
|Website and Computer Costs|-|637|637|-|
||**£4,616**|**£34,756**|**£39,372**|**£44,621**|
||=======|=========|========|========|
## **2. EMPLOYEES**
There was no trustee remuneration for the year ended 31 December, 2020.
No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000 per annum.
## **3. TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES**
There were no trustee expenses for the year ended 31 December, 2020, nor the year ended 31 December, 2019.
## **4. FIXED ASSETS**
All assets are included at original cost.
All donated assets are included at estimated market value at acquisition.
**- 9 -**