## **Annual Report 2023 Financial Year** ## **Introduction** The following report reflects the range of activities and financial position of Calvary Pentecostal Church for the year 2023.The aim of the report is to provide an overview of the vision and functions of the church. ## **Aim and Purposes** Calvary Pentecostal Church is an independent church situated in the Upper Parkstone area of Poole and is a registered charity affiliated to the Assemblies of God UK, an association of over 600 member churches and which aims to: ‘Give every man, woman and child the opportunity of understanding the gospel and to provide a church where they can grow in ministry for the glory of God’. This aligns with the objects of the church as detailed in our trust deed. ## **Objectives and Activities** The church emphasizes praise and worship, the teaching of the Bible, and prayer and encourages participation by both young and old alike. Services are held on a regular basis and visitors are welcome to join us and to stay afterwards for fellowship or to discuss any questions or issues they may have. The young people also have their own meetings twice a month on a Sunday evening where they are encouraged to share and discuss topics and challenges of relevance to them. The children (age 4-12 ) have Sunday School during the Sunday morning meeting. Mission activities are detailed further below. ## **Our Core Values and Vision** Our overarching vision is to see and experience a spiritual revival in our local area and in our country as a whole. By spiritual revival, we mean a work of the Holy Spirit which has the twofold effect of reviving God's people and bringing people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Whilst we cannot bring this about on our own, we believe we play a part by the way we live our lives in obedience to Biblical teaching and in prayer. Accordingly, we place great importance on the teaching of the Bible as the word of God and implementing its truth in our individual lives, and our relationship with others. Fundamental to this is the emphasis we place on praise and worship, as is reflected in all our meetings, and regular prayer. To this end it has been our normal practice to provide pastoral care, prayer and Bible Study meetings both on Sunday and during the week, both in the Church (on ‘Zoom’ during the COVID outbreak) and in house groups, which are held in people’s homes. Calvary Pentecostal Church, Cromwell Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH12 2NS Registered Charity No. 1050247 Website: www. CPCParkstone.org.uk ## **Youth Groups** The Youth group has continued to meet alternate Sunday evenings at the church. Over the course of the past year we have seen several members leave due to age and a couple who have left for other reasons so we now have a core of 3 young people.The lack of size does not mean lack of depth and we continue to grow in Christ together. Over 2023 we have had some interesting discussions and the young people were encouraged to share their views, listen to others and to see what the Bible says. We have helped with RE homework and revision, listened to talks and testimonies and had lots of fun games. The church supports the young people in prayer and encouragement for school exams and that God will guide them into their future careers/what subjects to choose/whether to go to university or get a job, how to stay strong as a young Christian as they grow older and how to share God with friends and family. ## **Sunday School** The Sunday School has run on a weekly basis throughout 2023, apart from school holidays. This year we began an exciting new curriculum - _The Greatest Story_ - that takes us through the whole Bible whilst emphasizing each week a gospel connection and our need for Jesus; we break into this structure to follow the Church calendar themes of Easter and Christmas. At Easter all the children received the “Real Easter Egg” which includes the Easter story along with a chocolate egg. In the summer Ali & Lisa hosted the Sunday School party for the children and their families at their house. For the Romania Shoebox appeal the children managed to collect & fill 3 boxes ! Teachers consist of Ali, Lisa and Cindy. Isla, Jesse and Jill all support the work as helpers. Staff numbers are driven by the fact that, for safeguarding purposes, we need at least 2 staff attending, irrespective of the number of children. Teachers & lessons have to be flexible as we have mixed ages and abilities, and attendance can vary. We have 6 children regularly attending & they are blessed and are such a blessing! We continue to pray for new families in order that the Sunday School may grow, and additional helpers may come forward in order to ease the dependence on teachers in order for them to remain more frequently in the main service for the preaching of the Word. ## **Safeguarding** All those involved in work with children and vulnerable adults have undertaken training in child protection and have all been DBS checked. The church has adopted and implemented the ‘Safe and Secure’ safeguarding standards published by the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS). Calvary Pentecostal Church is a member of the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) and our safeguarding policy is designed, in line with the CCPAS ‘Safe and Secure’ standards, to help the Church provide a safe environment for children to be able to develop physically, intellectually and spiritually, and to safeguard all members of the church community, of all ages. In so doing, it is the responsibility of everyone to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. ‘Safe and Secure’ has been adopted by the Church Council and forms the safeguarding policy of the Church, a copy of which is held in the church and is available upon request. It is also used as part of the training for children’s workers and every children’s worker will be issued with a copy. A shortened version is displayed on the church notice board. 2 ## **Mission - Open Doors** The church provides monthly donations to Open Doors to support their work supporting persecuted Christians around the world and in accordance with our stated charitable objectives. During 2023 Open Doors continued to support Christians suffering persecution worldwide. Funding continued strongly despite the challenges of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, for which Open Doors thanks God and their supporters; as a church we can continue to be confident that our support for Open Doors is a wise and good use of the money we give to mission. Every January Open Doors releases its _World Watch List_ of the top 50 countries where persecution is greatest around the world. North Korea is invariably rated #1 on the list and global trends include the continued rise of oppression & surveillance in China and the continued rise of Hindu fundamentalism in India. ## **Mission - Foodbank** The Foodbank in the church operates as one of 3 “satellites” of the main Foodbank in Poole run by FaithWorks Wessex. These satellites exist to provide local provision for attendees thus avoiding the need to travel to Poole. Those attending the church Foodbank are therefore local people with real needs. This year Arthur was present each week with 2 other volunteers defined by a rota. Our thanks to all whose volunteering makes this possible. Ali and Lisa continue to manage the Foodbank. Attendance varies from none to 7 attendees per weekly session which runs 12-2pm every Wednesday The Foodbank operation is one way we can fulfil the work of the Church as reflected in the words of Paul in Galatians 2:10 that …we “should remember the poor”. ## **Mission - Shoebox Appeal** Each year Jill collects for, and fills, shoeboxes for poor families in Eastern Europe. The church supports this in many ways from knitting garments, giving items to fill shoeboxes, to donating funds. In addition, the church gives from mission funds as listed below to enable a number of boxes to be sent. The price of filling a shoe box now exceeds £50 which is a real commitment and a sign of the cost-of-living crisis in our own country. This is a tremendous and time-consuming work that meets a need that is often overlooked. ## **Mission Finances** This year financial support was provided, from our missionary account and freewill offerings, to the following organisations: - Open Doors UK (£2400) on a monthly basis (£200); - Shoe Box Appeal (£491.91) - Syrian Earthquake Appeal via Open Doors (£1250) - Special Purposes (£2000) A total of £6141.91 supporting needs local and international ## **Financial review** The beginning of 2023 saw us engage 2 church members - John Vatcher and Alastair 3 McGregor – as paid employees for 2 & 1 day a week respectively. The intent was to plan a way forward as we transition from senior leaders to a team leadership structure. The purpose of this is to free up time for pastoral and ministry tasks as required. In addition, 2 new trustees – Alan Muir & Simon Potterton – have been appointed to ensure sound governance. The Church Council has a Finance and Reserves Policy to ensure that income received is spent within a reasonable timeframe, that trustees should be able to justify holding income as reserves in order to comply with Charity Law, and to ensure that monies are used in accordance with the charitable purposes of the church. The overarching principle is that everything the church has comes from God and that the church leadership team, as responsible stewards, are to ensure that the funds are used in the way God intends. Total receipts were £73,586.09, which includes interest on the deposit account: - Offerings throughout the year show a marked increase on the previous year - A number of upgrades to the church building were undertaken totaling £6835; - A new sound system was installed at cost of £9575 & a hearing loop added for £691 - The closing current account balance was £5,424.74. The church will make an annual membership contribution of 3% of its non-designated revenue to the Assemblies of God UK, calculated on the previous year’s revenue. This amount is set aside in the deposit account for payment to the AoG in July 2024 and will be a payment of £1932.00 for the year 2023 but will be shown as a payment in the 2024 accounts. 4 ## **Assets and Liabilities** The church is a registered charity supported solely by direct contributions of members and tax recovered under the Gift Aid Scheme. The church has no outstanding liabilities. Land and Buildings: - The Church building itself is used solely for the purposes of the charity; - The building is a permanent endowment; - The building is vested in the name of Calvary Pentecostal Church. The church is solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of its buildings and this year spent on essential roof repairs and necessary contents replacements required as the building got back to full operation post COVID. ## **Structure and Governance** The Church Council comprises the following trustees: - V L Williams - A McGregor _(Chair of the Church Council)_ - D Williams - J Vatcher - S Potterton - A Muir There are currently 3 salaried employees, all of whom are trustees: V L Williams, A McGregor, J Vatcher All remunerations relate solely to ministerial roles in the church. The Church Council meets formally four times during the year. Minutes are taken and approved for accuracy at each meeting. A McGregor _Chairman of Trustees_ 5 **CALVARY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH** _FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023_ ## **INCOME** ## **EXPENDITURE** ## **CHURCH ACCOUNT** |**OFFERINGS**
**GIFT AID TAX REFUNDS**
**GIFTS**
**TRANSFERS FROM DEPOSIT A/C**
**TOTAL INCOME**
**OPENING BALANCE**
**TOTAL**|**£53,605.2**
**1**
**SALARIES**
**£9,606.52**
**BENEVOLENT GIFTS**
**£1,181.00**
**CATERING**
**£9,193.36**
**CLEANING**
**ELECTRICITY**
**GAS**
**HM REVENUE & CUSTOMS**
**INSURANCE/A.O.G ACCOUNTS**
**INSPECTION**
**PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS**
**MAINTENANCE & FURNISHING**
**MINISTRY**
**POSTAGE & STATIONERY**
**SUNDAY SCHOOL**
**TELEPHONE/WI-FI**
**TRANSFER TO SP MISSION A/C**
**TRANSFER TO DEPOSIT A/C**
**WATER**
**YOUTH WORK**
**MISCELLANEOUS**
**£73,586.0**
**9**
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
**£10,614.9**
**4**
**BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD**
**£84,201.0**
**3**
**TOTAL**|**£25,053.64**
**£1,200.00**
**£975.87**
**£1,007.45**
**£441.51**
**£717.46**
**£4,375.93**
**£3,329.68**
**£680.00**
**£3,152.80**
**£1,959.91**
**£53.00**
**£545.84**
**£893.76**
**£4,550.00**
**£21,600.00**
**£191.00**
**£121.00**
**£7,927.44**
**£78,776.29**
**£5,424.74**
**£84,201.03**| |---|---|---| |||| ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT** **BANK BALANCES** **CHURCH ACCOUNT £64,312.45** 6 |**CASH IN HAND**
**CURRENT ACCOUNT**
**DEPOSIT ACCOUNT**
**TOTAL**|**£0.00**
**£5,424.74**
**£58,887.7**
**1**
**£64,312.4**
**5**
**TOTAL**|**£64,312.45**| |---|---|---| |||| 7 MISSION AND SPECIAL PURPOSES ACCOUNT ## **INCOME** ## **EXPENDITURE** |**CHURCH ACCOUNT**|||| |---|---|---|---| |**TITHE ON CHURCH ACCOUNT**|**£4,200.00**|**TRANSFERS TO OPEN DOORS**|**£2,400.00**| |**REGULAR GIVING**|**£960.00**|**OPEN DOORS EARTHQUAKE APPEAL**|**£1,250.00**| |**OPEN DOORS EARTHQUAKE**|**£250.00**|**SHOE BOX APPEAL**|**£491.91**| |**APPEAL**||**SPECIAL PURPOSES**|**£600.00**| |**TRANSFERRED FROM C/A**|**£100.00**|**MINISTRY GIFTS**|**£1400.00**| |**TOTAL INCOME**|**£5510.00**|**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**|**£6141.91**| |**OPENING BALANCE**|**£7610.95**|**BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD**|**£6979.04**| |**TOTAL**|**£13120.95**
~~7~~|**TOTAL**|**£13120.95**
~~7~~| ## R F Elms CPC Treasurer ## **Note:** As a small charity below the Charities Act’s audit threshold the Church Council approved the appointment of Mrs. Trudy Sollazzo to conduct an Independent Examination of the church’s finances, which was carried out and approved on the 1[st] February 2024 with the following report: 8 Independent exarninerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees On accounts for tho y•ar èndod Charity no {if any) I C•S02 Set out on pages 'll￿.7b￿r b ir., |iS.'È th¥pag+7 nUmter5 )- add-"liong1 I rep￿ to the trustees on my examinatlon of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusv) for the year end&J Responsibllltles and basis of report the charity's trustees, you are r8spC￿￿b￿ for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requiremerts of the Charities Act 2011 {Ih8 Acfl. I repcwt in respect of my exafflinalion of the Tnjsl's accounts carri8d out under section 145 of the 2011 Act in carrying (Krt my examination, I have followed all the applicable Direcli)ns given by Ihe Charity Commission under section 1445)Ib} of ts Act. Indepondent tThe charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am quaIrf￿d to examinerfs statsment undertake the examinalK)n by tHng a qualifietl member of linsert name of applicable listed t￿y]]. D81ete [ l rf not appI￿able. I have cornp￿ted my examination. I confsmi that no material matters have come to my attention in connecti(N) wtth the examination (other than that dr6closed below "I which gives me cause to LElieve that in. any material the accounting records were not kept in a¢¢ordance with section 130 of the Charities Act.. or the ￿¢c￿nts did rK)t accord with the accounting records.. the accounts did not comFly with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charfties {Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2(K)8 other than any requirement that the accounts gwe a 'lrue arKI fairf view which is not a matter Cons[de￿ as part of an independent examination. I have rm) concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this rewrt in order lo enab￿ a proper understarmjing of ￿ accounts to be rea¢hgJ. . Please delete the words ￿ the brackets rfthgy do not apty. Signed: Date: ox Name: IER Oct 2018 Rel8vant professional quallflcatlon(sl or body (if any): Address: Section B Disclosure Only complete il Ihe examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examinatu)n of chanty accounls: directions and gumlance for examiners). Give here brigf detslls of any Items that tho axaminar wishes to dlsclosg. IER Oct 2018 io