Charity number 1038968
MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
31 DECEMBER 2023.
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 2023.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:
| MAIN CHARITY NAME: | Market Rasen New Life Christian Fellowship | Market Rasen New Life Christian Fellowship |
|---|---|---|
| MANAGEMENT TRUSTEES: | E. Forsythe | (appointed July 2023) |
| G. Taylor | ||
| N. Palmer | ||
| R. Sheppard | ||
| S. Griffiths | (appointed July 2023) | |
| M. May | ||
| PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: | Market Rasen New Life Centre, | |
| Serpentine Street, | ||
| MARKET RASEN. | ||
| LN8 3AR | ||
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: | C. M. Tams, F.C.A. | |
| BANKERS: | The Co-operative Bank plc, | |
| 1 Balloon Street, , | ||
| MANCHESTER. | ||
| M4 4BE | ||
| 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.
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
CHARITABLE ACTIVTIES
In what has continued to be an unprecedented decade in terms of both national and global challenges, we are thankful that as a local church there has been more than adequate provision to help us fulfil our charitable objectives . During 2023, Market Rasen New Life has had many opportunities to continue to share the truth of the gospel and to relieve need in our locality and beyond.
Two main preaching series were the focus of our Sunday gatherings : from January-July the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and from September , ‘Training in Godliness’ (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Senior Leader, Mike May, involved 6 others from church family on the preaching team. Sunday evenings saw a growing number of people attend seasonal Bible Study sessions with application to day to day life emphasised. In January, John Lechler initiated a series based on Romans and in the Autumn Paul Hiley led applied studies based on Daniel Chapters 1-6. We have also enjoyed some inspirational and vibrant monthly All-Age Services led by 9 people with themes ranging from ‘perseverance’ to ‘blessing’. Occasional Praise and Worship Evenings have added to the spiritual dimension of church life.
We have been blessed and refreshed too via our links with Ground Level Network with 6 visiting speakers joining us on Sundays during the year. Eight people from church family went along to Swanwick Leaders Conference in April. We were also able in 2023 to engage more closely with several local Ground Level churches at the Arise Supernatural Gathering at Skegness in July which was preceded by a very well attended six week teaching series on Wednesday evenings. One significant prophetic word from this time together has helped inform our prayers in Market Rasen to ask for ‘more sheep’! (based on Ezekiel 37-38). We were also able to host and/or attend our Ground Level Humber to the Wash Connection quarterly prayer meetings during 2023. It was a joy too to gather at last for Awaken , the annual Ground Level celebration, on the Lincolnshire Showground in August.
Prayer underpins all we do together and weekly prayer meetings on Monday evenings held on Zoom have been a mainstay led by a variety of church members with a move towards the end of the year to reinstate prayer meetings in person. We are grateful to our main day to day prayer coordinator Sheila Griffiths for her faithful work especially during a year when her fellow coordinators (Christine Jewitt and Jane Bridger) have had to focus on important personal & family matters.
Outreach continues to be a key part of our vision. The Church Centre is open to all on Wednesdays and Fridays for free Coffee & Chat sessions as a welcoming Warm Space. 20+ people are often drawn into these volunteer run times. A regular monthly Men’s Breakfast coordinated by Louis Mullaney is another great point of contact. Larger outreach events held during 2023 included a special Coronation Tea in May, and 2 special events in October, the Tearfund Quiz Evening organised by Andrea Fletcher and a Bright Lights Party headed up by Diane Goulden. We have also been able to develop very positive relationships with some of the community users and hirers of the Church Centre including Rasen Ukulele Band with whom we arranged a joint musical evening along with our New Life Musicians in January. We were able to support the Rotary Club’s appeal for generators for Ukraine and our Food Bank Coordinators were asked along as guest speakers at one of their lunches which are held in the Church Centre. Along with regular church activities, the community use and hire of the Church Centre building which is open 7 days a week, means that between 500-600 people come through the building each week. It’s a wonderful facility!
During 2023 the Core Leadership Team and Trustees took the decision to employ a full time Church Centre Manager and Food Bank Coordinator . Martin Forsythe , a church member, has filled this role since September and as well as having very practical abilities to bring to the job, he feels called into it with a real heart to meet people’s needs, to develop the volunteer teams, to develop efficient systems and to steward the Centre well. Katy Hiley, volunteer Food Bank Coordinator worked alongside Martin until December and her input and hard work since May 2022 has been much appreciated. Paul and Katy also served on Core Leadership Team until the end of December 2023 and whilst they continue to play a very full part of church life, the current Core Leadership Team now comprises Mike May, Jen May, Martin Forsythe and Rhona Sheppard. Two other church members, Sheila Griffiths and Estelle Forsythe were appointed as Trustees during 2023 joining the existing Trustees: Geoff Taylor (Chair), Norman Palmer, Mike May and Rhona Sheppard. Estelle also serves on our Safeguarding Team alongside Safeguarding Lead, Jen May and Rhona Sheppard.
There is a multitude of volunteers we are grateful for serving in so many ways including our growing team of musicians headed up by Jen May. Richard Findlay has spent much time preparing and training volunteers in technical matters. Richard was employed by the church on a part time basis until May 2023 with responsibility for Centre maintenance & all things tech. We are very grateful that he has continued to serve the church on a voluntary basis despite long night
continued____
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
CHARITABLE ACTIVTIES
shifts in his new job. Louis Mullaney plays a key role in galvanising other volunteers in Church Centre refurbishment projects. Diane Goulden heads up a volunteer team of 6 to run our Sunday children’s work Centre Point for 5-11s (22 different children attended during 2023). In total over 50 church members are involved in some sort of voluntary work which makes church happen!
The Food Bank has continued to meet needs in our locality; during 2023 the 15 volunteers packed 1,568 parcels with 527 going to families with children. The proportion of families with children requiring food bank support showed an increase during the year. In December 55 of the 137 parcels distributed went to families with children . Special Christmas Gift bags were lovingly prepared and distributed to all Food Bank recipients in December and plans were underway for the Centre to act as an official Warm Hub for our locality for the distribution of blankets, hot water bottles & clothing items to help over the winter months of 2024. Open for 4 mornings a week, the Food Bank is quite a major operation. Financial support has been forthcoming from several sources including West Lindsey District Council, 2 independent charities, local organisations and several individuals. Frequent donations in kind often appear at the Centre too. Whilst an initial expansion of the physical space for the Food Bank was undertaken in January 2023, a further larger scale expansion has been planned for 2024 with funds received from the government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.
Two major new outreach initiatives were launched in the Autumn of 2023; a Night Light Café funded by the NHS to reach those finding life difficult. The Eden Room at the Church Centre provides a Monday evening safe space for nonclinical support. To date about 20 different adults have benefitted from this facility which is run by Sue Jewitt as a part time paid role. She is helped by 7 volunteers. Secondly, we launched a Friday Night Youth Club for 13-17s in November 2023. To date over 40 different young people have made use of this facility in a town where there is no other youth club for hard to reach youth. Brian Burns , a volunteer with experience in Drugs counselling, has spearheaded its development and is supported by 8 volunteers. Again we are grateful for funding provision particularly from the Lincolnshire High Sheriff’s Fund in 2023 and the Lincolnshire Cooperative Community Fund support in early 2024 will help sustain these Youth Nights into the future.
We continue to relate to other churches in the town, coming together in united outdoor s ervices on Good Friday and Remembrance Sunday as well as serving the community in different ways from one another and liaising when needed. In November we hosted a very informative evening with speakers from the Christian Institute ‘Loving Your Neighbour’ tour which was open to those from other churches.
Relationships are key; we place a priority on people meeting together in smaller groups (Connect Groups) midweek and during 2023 we have been encouraged to see several newcomers moving to the area and joining one of these five groups. Encouraging and caring for one another involves us all. During 2023 we have been particularly mindful of those who have been ill or bereaved with associated pastoral visits undertaken Two dearly loved church family members passed from this life during 2023; Ken Bridger in May and Myrtle Dorrington in August. It was a privilege and honour to host Celebration of Life services for their respective families at the Church Centre.
We are pleased to report that we have been able to meet our charitable objectives to share the gospel in word and deed by relieving need as reflected in this report and our annual 2023 accounts. We have been able to meet all our running costs and to maintain our reserves at an agreed (increased) level as the work continues to expand. A special Gift Day held in September will enable us pay off a further amount on our Church Centre mortgage during 2024. We continue to give generously to other church ministries on a regular monthly basis: Ground Level, Betel, Open Doors, Tearfund, Care for the Family, the Christian Institute & YPMP (Your People My People) During 2023 we were also able to support 2 additional ministries for the year: AID (Anglican International Development) and KVL (Known Valued Lovedworking in the field of education). We responded to special appeals including Syria/Turkey Earthquake Appeal via Teafund in February, we filled boxes of foodstuffs for Barnabas Aid and took part in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox appeal as well as collecting used stamps for the local Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance and supporting the reopening our local Primary School swimming pool. At the end of the year,we had a special collection for the humanitarian work of the Bible Society who work Jerusalem, Gaza, Galilee and the West Bank.
During the year, overall numbers gathering on Sundays has increased from an average of 45 in January to 50 in July and nearer 60 by the end of the year. In 2024, we have faith for further growth. We will be privileged in 2024 to be stewarding several batches of grant monies as well as the regular income we receive from church family which will help sustain and develop the work of the church and meet our charitable objectives. We serve a big God who provides for his work.
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Initiatives for 2024 will include the provision of financial advice and cooking on a budget sessions, refurbishment of the toilets , and possible funding to improve the energy efficiency of the Church Centre building. On the spiritual growth front, we are looking forward to hosting the Basileia Bible School at the Centre from September 2024. We aim always to ‘keep the main thing the main thing!’
RESERVES POLICY
Our reserves policy aims to be both biblical and practical. We neither want to accumulate or hoard funds for no reason nor do we want to be irresponsible with the financial resources God has provided us with. Rather we want to prepare our annual budget and steward finances wisely in line with our 2 charitable aims a) to advance the Christian faith b) to relieve need. Furthermore, we want to trust God for his ongoing provision for the extension of his Kingdom.
We currently regard it prudent to have a reserve fund of £25,000
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To cover 2-3 months running costs (£22,000) in the event of a loss of income ( eg from regular giving/room hire) or an increase in running expenses (eg utility costs)
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To set aside monies for unforeseen events (£3,000)
For Church Centre building & refurbishment projects grants will be sought if needed.
During 2024-2025, if further staff are employed, this reserves policy will be reconsidered and increased ahead of our next annual review.
Our reserves will be kept in a new account opened in September 2024 with Kingdom Bank ( Church and Charity Flexible reserves Account). Additionally adequate accessible funds will continue to be kept in an Instant Access Deposit Account (Cooperative Bank).
This policy will be reviewed annually by Leadership and Trustees. Next review October 2025. ( with proviso as stated above)
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
……………………………………………
R. Sheppard
08/10/2024…………… Date
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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 2023.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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
F .C.A
Smethurst & Co LLP
12 Abbey Road GRIMSBY DN32 0HL
Date: …09/10/2024………………………….
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
RECEIPTS AND
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023.
PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| RECEIPTS: | ||||
| Voluntary Receipts: General Donations |
2,172 | 67,717 | 69,889 | 59,189 |
| Foodbank | 32,681 | - | 32,681 | 51,315 |
| Night Light Cafe | - | 9,941 | 9,941 | - |
| Tax Refunds under Gift Aid | - | 11,313 | 11,313 | 12,409 |
| Grants | 6,950 | - | 6,950 | - |
| Investment Income received | - | 924 | 924 | 12 |
| Insurance claims | - | - | - | 1,749 |
| Other Receipts | - | 27,347 | 27,347 | 17,320 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | £41,803 | £117,242 | £159,045 | £141,994 |
| ========= | =========== | ========== | ========== | |
| PAYMENTS: | ||||
| Grants paid | 2,172 | 8,477 | 10,649 | 9,117 |
| Other costs of charitable activities (Note 1) | 27,530 | 72,955 | 100,485 | 78,440 |
| Governance costs | - |
1,428 | 1,428 | 1,428 |
| £29,702 | £82,860 | £112,562 | £88,985 | |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========= | |
| ASSET AND INVESTMENT PURCHASES Property and improvements |
- | 5,431 | 5,431 | 7,431 |
| Equipment | - | 1,995 | 1,995 | 1,920 |
| £- | £7,426 | £7,426 | £9,351 | |
| === | ======== | ======== | ========= | |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | £29,702 | £90,286 | £119,988 | £98,336 |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== | |
| NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) | £12,101 | £26,956 | £39,057 | £43,658 |
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========= |
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
31 DECEMBER 2023.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES
| £ £ Restricted Unrestricted 2023 Original Cost 2023 Original Cost FIXED ASSETS Property and improvements - 340,906 Equipment - 59,849 £ - === £400,755 ======= BANK AND CASH BALANCES Cash at Bank £50,783 ====== £80,095 ====== OTHER MONETARY ASSETS Gift Aid tax recovery - 646 PAYE recovery - - Debtors - 3,352 £ - === £3,998 ===== LIABILITIES Fees for Independent Examination and other Accountancy Costs - 1,188 Deferred income - 5,299 Mortgage - 72,282 £ - === £78,769 ======= |
£ Total 2023 Original Cost 340,906 59,849 £400,755 ======= £130,878 ======= 646 - 3,352 £3,998 ===== 1,188 5,299 72,282 £78,769 ====== |
£ Total 2022 Original Cost 335,475 57,587 £393,062 ======= £91,821 ====== 453 106 1,533 £2,092 ===== 1,128 - 94,583 £95,711 ====== |
|---|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
.................................................................
R. Sheppard 08/10/2024 ................................................................. Date
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
31 DECEMBER 2023.
a) BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities.
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MARKET RASEN NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2023.
| 1. | OTHER COSTS OF | Restricted | Unrestricted | Total Funds | Total Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Church Events | - | 2,987 | 2,987 | 2,384 | |
| Foodbank | 23,735 | - | 23,735 | 17,909 | |
| Night Light Café | - | 3,100 | 3,100 | - | |
| Youth Club | 1,185 | - | 1,185 | - | |
| Employment Costs | 2,250 | 13,280 | 15,530 | 11,787 | |
| Equipment Repairs and Renewals | - | 6,031 | 6,031 | 3,432 | |
| Light and Heat | 360 | 4,935 | 5,295 | 3,280 | |
| General Expenses | - | 4,498 | 4,498 | 3,524 | |
| Rates | - | 753 | 753 | 1,378 | |
| Insurance | - | 2,440 | 2,440 | 2,304 | |
| Travel Expenses | - | 2,842 | 2,842 | 1,659 | |
| Literature, Stationery and Postage | - | 1,079 | 1,079 | 912 | |
| Telephone | - | 649 | 649 | 579 | |
| Training | - | 2,681 | 2,681 | 2,765 | |
| Youth Work | - | - | - | 78 | |
| Website and Computer Costs | - | 565 | 565 | 336 | |
| Mortgage Repayments | - | 27,115 | 27,115 | 26,113 | |
| £27,530 | £72,955 | £100,485 | £78,440 | ||
| ========== | ========== | ========== | ========== |
2. EMPLOYEES
There was no trustee remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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 2023, nor the year ended 31 December 2022.
4. FIXED ASSETS
All assets are included at original cost.
All donated assets are included at estimated market value at acquisition.
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Mr M Forsythe, husband of Trustee Mrs E Forsythe, was paid £9333 (2022- nil) during the year for services in his role as an employee.
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