Registered number 1050438 New Life Church Winchester Report and Accounts 31 March 2021 New Life Church Winchester Rggistgred number.. Trustees. Report 1050438 The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021. Principal aetiviti•s The Charity's prinapal activity during the year continued to be the running of a christian church in the area of Stanmore Winchester . Please see the website of New Lrfe Church Winchester at www.newlifechurchwinche5ter.org Trustees The following persons served as trustees at the date of this report Terry Chainey Paul Findlay Benjsmin Chainey Silas Brown Deon Hanekom (resigned 1st December 20201 Pamela Maton (appointed 21 July 20211 Gemrna Reeves18ppoinled 21 July 2021} Brian Truebody (appointed 21 July 20211 Small Charity provisions This report has been prepared in 9￿rdan￿ with the provisions of the Charity Aots relating to small entities. This report was approved by the board on 31 January 2022 and signed on its behalf. Paul Findlay TrUstee￿reaSUrer New Llfe Church Wlnchester Indèpèndènt Examin•rs' r•port to thè trustèès of New Life Church Winchester You consider that the charity is exempt from an audit for the year ended 31 March 2021. You have acknowledged. on the balance sheet, your responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities Acts with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These iespon51bilth.es include preparing accounts that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity at the end of the financial year and of its income and expenditure foi the financial year. In accordan￿ with your instructions, we have prepared the accounts which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, and the related notes from the accounting records of the charty and on the basi5 of inforrnation and explanations you have given to us. I have not carried out an audit or any othei review, and consequendy we do not express any opinion on these accounts. The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlh the Charits'es Act 2011 C'the ACV'I. The charity's trLJStees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent exarninalion 15 needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commision (under section 14515llbl of the Act and to state whether particular rnatters have come to my attention. My examination was carried OLrt in accoidance ￿th general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An 8xarnination indudes a review of the accounting 18cords kept by the charity and 8 comparison of the accounts presented with those records.lt 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 WOLJld be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a true and fairf, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act.: I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thi5 report in ordei to enable a proper LJnder5tanding of the 8ccount5 to be reached. Ken Stratton FMAAT Independent Ex8miner January 312022 New Life Church Winchester Income and Expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2021 Notes 2021 2020 Income 64,130 107,183 Charitable activrties 17,3961 122,2291 56,734 84,954 Resourses costs Additional charitiable activities and govenance 14281 182,0321 {1,0241 190,4301 Excess expenditure 125,7261 {6,5001 Interest receivable 63 Excess expenditure over income 125,6821 {6,437) Tax on loss on ordinary activities Excess expendlture over Income 125,682 16,437 New Life Church Wlnchester Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 2021 2020 Fixed assets Tangible assets 1,227,591 1,233,693 Current assets Debtors Kingdom Bank Savings Tithe Account Baicl8yS account Cash in hand 12,712 67,073 8,555 67,030 1,292 868 30.184 241 108,170 1.159 7,043 241 88,676 Creditors.. amounts falllng due wSthin one year 12,1711 12,0851 N8t current assets 86.505 1Cfj.085 Nèt assets 1,314.096 1,339.778 Rèse￿$ Property Reserve Unrestricted funds 1,150,000 164,096 1,150,000 189,778 1,314,096 1,339,778 The trustees are satisfied that the charity is entided to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit. The members have not reqLJired the charity to obtain an audit. Th8 truste85 acknowledge their responsibilit185 for complying with the reqLJir8m8nt5 of the Charities Act wth respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Charities Acts applicable to small companies entities. S Brown Trustee Approved by the board on 31 January 2022 New Life Church Winchester Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 Accounting policies Basis of préparation The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 20081. Ineom• Income represents the value of contributions to the charity from members of the church and others. Dep￿Cla￿on Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order tr) write off the assets over their eslimaled useful lives. Equipment 33.33DA ieducing balance nsions The company operates a defined contribution pension scherne. Contributions are charged to the profit and loss account as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. 2 Operating income 2021 2020 This is stated after charging.. Depreciation of owned fixed assets Pension costs 5,302 1,124 6.435 1,507 New Life Church Winchester Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 3 Tangible fixed assets Land and buildings Equipm•nt Total Cost At 1 April 2020 Disposals At 31 March 2021 1,217,786 43,287 18(K)I 42,487 1,261,073 18001 1,260,273 1,217,78S Depreciation At 1 April 2020 Charge for the year At 31 March 2021 27,380 5,302 32,682 27,380 5,302 32,682 Net book valu8 At 31 March 2021 1,217.786 9,805 1,227.591 Al 31 March 2020 1,217.786 15,907 1.233.693 Freehold land and buildings". 2021 2020 Historical cost 1,150,000 1,150,000 Cumulative depreciation based on historical cost 4 Debtors 2021 2020 Account5 receivable Gift aid lax refund 155 12,557 7,421 1,134 5 Creditor¥= amounts falling due within ong year 2021 2020 Trade creditors Other taxes and social security costs Other creditors 180 974 1,037 2,171 307 1.778 2.085 6 Proparty r•s8 2021 2020 Origin81 cost of freehold properties 1,150,000 1,150,000 New Life Church Winchester Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 7 Unrestricted reserves 2021 At 1 April 2020 Excess expenditure for the year 189.778 {25,6821 At 31 March 2021 164,096 New Life Church Winchester Income and expenditure account forthe year ended 31 March 2021 2021 2020 Charitable income 64,130 107,183 Charitable activities direct costs 17,3961 122,2291 5fj.734 84,954 Resources Charitable activities and govenance costs 14281 182,0321 11,0241 190,4301 Excess in¢ome 125.7261 16,5001 Interest receivable Excess Income 25,682 6,437 New Life Church Winchester Detailed income and expenditure account forthe year ended 31 March 2021 2021 2020 Income Church Events Grft Aid Rental income Venue Hire Tithes Youth events Compassion fund GrantslFurlough Scheme 114 5,029 12,240 58,171 31,225 404 16,645 11.265 1,383 22,955 200 11.682 64.130 107.183 Charltable aetlvStles Booking expenses Church events costs Compassion Fund Expense Creative worship Junior church Keble Street Maintenance Ladies ministry Men's ministry Messy Church Mission Support Outreach Student ministry Sunday expenses Worship team Youth ministry Assembles of God 328 364 1,541 5,460 2,034 633 263 92 95 40 160 2,450 600 431 102 3,232 3,493 1,364 2,800 22,229 436 14 32 3,650 7,396 Resources CCLI CCPAS Charitable donations 380 48 774 250 428 1,024 New Life Church Winchester Detailed income and expenditure account forthe year ended 31 March 2021 2021 2020 Additional charitable activities and govenance costs Employee costs". Wage5 and salaries Pensions Staff training and welfare Travel and subsistence Entertaining 41,870 476 45,493 1,507 1,217 32 123 48,372 42.346 Premises costs.. Rent Rates Light and heat Cleaning 380 2,484 5,810 5,639 14,293 1,762 4.890 2,630 9,282 Gene[81 adrninis1181ive expenses.. Telephone and fax IT and media T V License visth.ng speaker Stationery and printing Subscriptions Bank charges Insurance Equipment expensed Software Repairs and maintenance Depiecialion 1.829 734 158 150 402 243 113 2,419 26 75 9,976 5.302 21.427 1,529 1,083 155 1,145 702 125 129 2,407 38 75 6,036 6,435 19,859 Legal and professional costs.. Bookkeeping Accountancy f88S Legal fees Consultants fees 1,996 1,038 143 5,800 8,977 3,124 1,561 1,421 1,800 7,9( 82,032 90,430 10 **New Life Church Winchester** _(formerly known as Level 10 Church until 23 Nov 2021)_ ## **Registered Number: 1050438** The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021. ## **Address and Contact Details:** New Life Church Winchester, Stanmore Lane, Winchester, SO22 4BT Website: www.newlifechurchwinchester.org Telephone: 01962 843714 ## **Bankers:** Kingdom Bank, Ruddington Fields Business park, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6JS ## **Independent Examiners:** Ken Stratton FMAAT of Kimball Smith Limited, Brewery House, High Street, Twyford, Winchester, SO21 1RG ## **Trustees** The following persons served as trustees in the following roles for the year ended March 2021. - Terence Chainey - Paul Findlay - Benjamin Chainey - Deon Hanekom (resigned 01 December 2020). - Silas Brown (Chair) ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The charity is constituted as a trust and is governed by constitution, adopted on the 21[st] December 2008. Trustees are typically selected by appointment by Pastor with acceptance of existing trustees. Where there is no incumbent Pastor, existing trustees of Church Council will appoint new trustees by vote with a two thirds majority acceptance. Following provisional selection and appointme that contains forms that are mandatory to be completed: - Trustee information form - Fit and proper persons declaration form 1 In addition to this, trustees must also complete a Disclosure and Barring Service Check and additional ID checks conducted by the compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. Individuals are notified that their selection and appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of all these checks. Trustees are then offered different training induction opportunities with organisations such as Stewardship or Assemblies of God GB, and have access to charity commission guide documents. New Life Church has an organisational structure of a Church Council that consists of: - Spiritual Leadership This is made up of the Lead Pastor and Elders whom have responsibility and authority for the overall direction, day-to-day running, and spiritual life of the church. - Management Trustees Individuals whom have the overall responsibility for the management and administration of the church assets and resources including properties and funds, having due regard to the spiritual direction of the church and complying with the policy requirements of the constitution and law. Outside of the church council, there are staff and ministry leaders appointed by the church council to lead various activities to further the objects and activities of the church charity. ## **Objectivities and Activities** The objects of the charity are: - To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of beliefs, - To relieve sickness, distress or financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods and services of any kind, including the provision of counselling and support; and - To advance education. ## **Public Benefit** The overall work of the church and the leadership is to fulfil the charitable objects above, whilst having due regard to Charity Commission and government guidance on public benefit. Guidance has been referred to when planning events and ministry activities for the church and wider community. To that end, the vision of the church is to presence, equip the saints and 2 ## **Review of Main Activities** the area of Stanmore Winchester. The church typically provides in-person meetings dedicated for prayer, worship, and bible teaching on the weekend and throughout the week. However, running these activities during this year had its challenges due to two main reasons. The first was the previously unsuccessful recruitment drive to appoint a fulltime Minister for the church. The immediate impact of this was disappointment for the church council and the wider membership which further resulted in members leaving the church. With apostolic input, it was subsequently decided by the council to pause the recruitment process, take stock of the current position of the church, and seek the Lord for wisdom and understanding regarding the next steps to take. However despite the reduced membership, the church retained a wide-ranging demographic of members across the ages which is a huge positive. Then, in March and April 2020 the world changed. The Coronavirus pandemic forced the world to a standstill. The UK like many countries went into a full national lockdown and we were all forced to come to terms with the public health threat posed by COVID-19, and to adapt our lifestyles. Our church was no different as we had to close our main building to the public. Herein lies our second big challenge; quickly figure out how we were going to best operate to support our members and local community in lockdown. This meant we had to stop our in-person group activities and much of our outreach work with the local schools. However, we were able to utilise Zoom video conferencing technology to move our Sunday services, prayer groups and life groups online. We closed some of our older communication groups to make space for newer larger WhatsApp social community groups for our church members. This was with the purpose of helping people stay connected and giving the opportunity for everyone to get involved in praying and encouraging one another in the faith. These changes saw us experience the following benefits: ## **Engagement:** Online services meant that we could involve more members to partake in leading elements of our church services. We had good Christian teaching on foundational principles which strengthened the church. We also found that we had different guest speakers and visitors joining us online at various times and from various places, including Australia. ## **Social relationships:** Our online Zoom services provided a different way for people to pray, worship and learn about God, as well as and to interact with one another through discussion and socials. Furthermore, people built trust with each other and started to open up and share. Subsequently, the quality and depth of relationships amongst our church members improved. As one long-standing people in the church now than I have e Corporately as a church body, there was healing from past disappointments of recent years and a fervent desire to look ahead to the future despite the challenges facing us. 3 ## **New vision and strategy:** A growing sense of family and time spent together in prayer, worship and discussion put the church in a great position to have focus groups. In these groups, we had big conversations about what we believe the Lord is saying to us corporately for the future. Some of the outcomes from this were a new vision and strategy that was more outwardly focused on connecting with the community. Vision: To See this website link for further information on our vision: https://newlifechurchwinchester.org/who-we-are/name-and-vision/ A strategy focussed on the three broad areas of prayer, family and equipping. See this website link for further information on our strategy: https://newlifechurchwinchester.org/who-we-are/strategy/ . ## **Innovation new ministries emerge:** The needs of the community and our church put the church into a position where it had no option but to innovate and adapt to reach people. Examples of this included several members of the church leadership team providing weekly electronic newsletter blogs and bitesize encouragement videos on our newly created YouTube channel that could be sent out over social media and communication platforms. See link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzeOLOiDWMACoP3VsObhgg See link: https://newlifechurchwinchester.org/covid-19-resources/blog-musings/ When the nation went back into lockdown for November and Christmas 2020, we took our annual community outreach carol service outside in our for the first time in our history. The socially distanced event sold out and was well attended by the local community. To talk more about Christmas 2020 we was able to work with local primary schools to send out Christmas food hamper boxes for the first time to local families in need who have been hard affected by the lockdown. Through generous donations of time and money from our church community, and through partnering with the initiative Love Your Neighbour, we were able to raise funds to send out 22 hampers to families in need on the Stanmore estate, and within our church community. The deepening partnership with the schools, particularly the staff and governors of Stanmore Primary School meant that in the New Year we could extend the food hamper initiative right up to Easter 2021. The church community stepped up and again gave generous donations that we could support 30 families in Stanmore with hampers containing food tins and other staple foods. In addition to this, computer laptops and equipment were donated to the church from the school. Subsequently, we could give away 7 laptop / computers, and computer equipment to teachers working from home, isolated young families and elderly people who were struggling to stay connected to their communities and family members in need, and provide ongoing support with their tech needs. 4 Finally, we was able to run our first Alpha course online, and a Marriage Course which also was a first for our church. These courses provided opportunities for church members and people not affiliated with the church the chance to reflect and develop their relationships with their spouses, and/or explore faith, life, and meaning. We also ran a separate online community group for young single adults to meet for fellowship and discussion. We give God thanks as over 20 people attended both courses and we look to build on this going into the future. ## **Church Resources and Team** The challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns has meant that our main building has been out of action for the most part of this financial year. With a reduced church membership and a reduction in our income from bookings and giving, has meant our finances have decreased significantly. To cushion the negative effects of the external challenges and manage cash flow, we put our staff team on the flexible job furlough grant scheme for considerable amounts of time during the year. It is accepted amongst the church council that we will need to continually explore what funding opportunities we can apply for to better the services we provide as a church, as well as bolster our financial robustness going forward. Despite this, the church council are encouraged how the church has been able to stay connected throughout the pandemic and reach others in need. A large part of that has been due to the apostolic input and leadership of Rev. Paul and Janice Finn who have played an increasing role in leading and helping the church navigate these challenges. As so, the church council took the decision to recognise and appoint them both formally as our Interregnum Lead Ministers in the short term. The response from the church was extremely positive for which we give thanks. One resource that we have been able to make improvements this year has been the church bungalow which is located adjacent our main church building. There has been much discussion over the years about how best to use the bungalow. This came to a head when during the previous year, the bungalow was vandalised. Furthermore, we used the funds from the resulting insurance claim to refurb the building and make it ready to be a home again after previously being used for church operations. This work was completed in December 2020 and we were able to offer the bungalow as a tenancy to staff members of the church. The benefit of this is that it gives the church a visible staff presence on site at all times which is an advantage for security, and provides a great opportunity to further improve relations with the immediate neighbourhood. The final benefit is that it provides a quality home for members of our staff team, so we saw it as win-win scenario. We marvel at the Lord for His goodness and taking a difficult, frustrating situation and turning it into a unique opportunity. ## **Thanks and looking ahead** The Church Council would like firstly honour God for His grace and protection on the church in times unprecedented to this generation. We recognise that our church story could have been very different this year, if not for His intervention. In many ways, this pandemic has forced us as a church to reflect and prayerfully consider what changes we needed to make for the future. 5 It is widely agreed amongst our church that we must continue to move forward on the positive changes that have taken place over recent times. We eagerly look forward to taking this momentum into our in-person church meetings again when the Coronavirus restrictions ease. However, the pandemic has shown us that a bigger online presence is something needs to be considered as part of our future offerings to the community. We are very much aware as we look to emerge from the lockdowns, there will be much spiritual, social, emotional and spiritual needs in our community, and we want to be placed appropriately and ready to meet them as the Lord leads us. We would like to honour and express particular thanks to our church leadership, staff members, bookkeeper, life group leader volunteers, and our church sound and media team. These people have been on the front line of attending to directing the church, attending to complex pastoral and social needs, as well as assessing how to best use resource in some of the most difficult times. To put it simply, they have all been willing to get stuck in and help people stay connected during a difficult period of time. So we say a huge thank you to them. Their contributions have been immense, and we are so grateful for your support. Secondly, we would like to express sincere thanks to the wider church membership, and community partners for their continued support and commitment to benefitting our local area. We ask every church member to pray that God will provide wisdom to this church in how we can all be best used to be a blessing to others in the times ahead. ## **Reserves Policy** The trustees continue to consider and review the finances of the church, including its reserves. The trustees aim to take a prudent and long-term view to making decisions whilst balancing our belief in for the church. To this end, it is a policy requirement of the church that in any one financial year to have a minimum of four months expenditure to be set aside in the event of any unforeseen financial income shortfall or unexpected but necessary capital expenditure. During the year to 31 March 2021 the expenditure exceeded income by £25,682 and this was more than covered by unrestricted reserves. At the 31[st] March 2021 the unrestricted reserves stood at £164,096. Signed on behalf of the board of trustees. Silas Brown Chair of Trustees 31 January 2022 6