OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year Ended 31[st] December 2020
Registered Charity No. 1054392
Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 31[st] December 2020
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
CONTENTS
| CHARITY INFORMATION | 3 |
|---|---|
| Trustees Annual Report - Year Ending 31 December 2020 | 4 |
| Governing Document | 4 |
| Objects of the Charity | 4 |
| Organisational Structure | 4 |
| Activities and Achievements for Public Beneft | 5 |
| Sunday Services | 5 |
| Worship Team | 6 |
| Children’s Department | 6 |
| Youth Department | 6 |
| Seniors Group | 6 |
| Life Groups | 6 |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW | 7 |
| Overview | 7 |
| Reserves Policy | 7 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT | 8 |
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Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 31[st] December 2020
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
CHARITY INFORMATION
ORGANISATION
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM 11 Spring Road Feltham Middlesex TW13 7JA
Tel: 0208 844 1948 email: info@oasisfeltham.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1054392
BANKERS
HSBC 61 High Street Staines-upon-Thames Middlesex TW18 4QW
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
ACCOUNTANCY & TAXATION SERVICES Luke Silver 1 Eastcote Road Tiffield Towcester Northamptonshire NN12 8AS
Tel: 07710 456376 email: luke-silver@puresilver.org.uk
TRUSTEES
Richard Smith (Chairman) Bernard Hogben Elaine James Joel Mwangi Camillus Osubor
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Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 31[st] December 2020
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
Trustees Annual Report - Year Ending 31 December 2020
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and financial statement of accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2020.
Governing Document
Oasis Church Feltham was registered as a charity with the Charities Commission on 1[st] December 1993, and is controlled by its governing document, a Trust Deed and Constitution for an unincorporated charity.
The Trust Deed and Constitution were amended on 8 April 2014 inline with the Assembly of God’s recommended specimen model document for Unincorporated status.
The Trust Deed and Constitution were again amended on 15 September 2014 to correct two typographical errors:
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It that stated the churches Financial Year ran from January to September - it has now been corrected, our financial year runs from January to December.
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The church was said to hold its AGM in September of each year - it has now been corrected, the church AGM is held in May of each year.
Objects of the Charity
The objects of the Church (“the Objects”) are for the benefit of the public:
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i) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit;
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ii) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time think fit; and
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iii) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit.
Organisational Structure
Oasis Church Feltham operates autonomously under its local leadership, comprising of the Senior Minister and Elders, but is an affiliated member of the Assemblies of God of Great Britain and Ireland.
In line with its governing document, trustees are appointed to the board by the recommendation of the chairperson and by a majority vote of existing trustees.
The Trustees agree to meet at least 4 times a year to discuss and make decisions in relation to the affairs of the charity to ensure that all of its activities and achievements
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OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
provide public benefit for the community. The Church Management Team authorises the delegation of limited powers to the Core Leadership Team in order to enable smooth operation of activities. The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding which activities the Charity should undertake.
Activities and Achievements for Public Benefit
The primary objective of OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM, as set out in its Constitution, is the advancement of the Christian faith to all age groups within the local community of Feltham.
The main achievements of the Charity during the year have been the continuation of support, teaching, and outreach to all who come into contact with the Charity. The Charity continues to fulfil its ongoing objectives in advancing the Christian Faith within the local community.
Sunday Services
The church continued to sustain a healthy church attendance, averaging around 100 people, including children and young people, each week, throughout our main Sunday morning services right up until 15 March 2020, and then the first COVID lockdown began, causing us to have to suspend services for an undetermined amount of time.
Before lockdown our services were lively and enthusiastic comprising of a contemporary style of modern worship followed by preaching of the word from the Bible. We continue to be indebted to all our volunteers who make the service happen, from those in the worship band, the sound/visual/lighting team, and the hospitality team, and also our kids team who run our Sunday School during the main service.
When the COVID lockdown began, our Pastors began to film the regular Sunday sermon and upload to YouTube. This began our online presence as a church. Throughout the course of lockdown these continued and included on occasion greetings from different members of the church to try and maintain a sense of community. Over the course of lockdown, we also started to include some worship songs as part of uploaded video each week.
When the government allowed churches to gather in-person we started to meet again in August 2020. We implemented COVID measures including distancing, mask wearing, and hand-sanitiser stations. We kept the building ventilated and had shorter services. People had to book-in to attend as we limited our capacity and as a result we averaged around 40 people each Sunday. We filmed the service as well, and uploaded later in the afternoon. In October 2020 we invested in equipment to be able to livestream our service which made things much easier to allow those still isolating to feel included in our services. When the second lockdown began we went to live streaming only on a Sunday morning throughout November. We met for a few weeks throughout December, and produced a pre-recorded Christmas Day service with the help of some of our volunteers.
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Worship Team
The worship team continued to support the Churches main Sunday service and we are grateful for the musicians and singers that contribute their time voluntarily to serve. Again due to COVID our rehearsals suspended and we reduced the number active on stage to ensure required social distancing was observed when we were allowed to meet in-person.
Children’s Department
Oasis Kids (Sunday School) was running reasonably well every Sunday morning in parallel with our morning services up until the COVID lockdown. As we returned to in person Sunday services we offered in church activities for the children attending rather than a separate Kids church programme. Although it was difficult for children having to remain in the service, we felt this met COVID guidelines in the best way possible. We also found that with the staggered return of some volunteers meant we lacked the appropriate volunteers to run the programme anyway. At Christmas we enlisted the help of a children’s ministry called Duggie Dug Dug to produce a Christmas video tailored for our church which we made available on our YouTube channel as an alternative to our usual Carol Service. This incorporated some of our families and volunteers in the production.
Youth Department
Oasis Youth continued to run until the COVID lockdown in March every Friday night with our weekly term-time event called Pulse, for young people in school years 7 to 12 (ages 11-17). The group averaged around 10-15 young people each week. Some from families outside of the main church congregation.
Sadly we had to suspend the Youth Programme for the rest of the year following the initial lockdown because of the perceived infection risks. Some contact was maintained online, but many of young people struggled with connecting this way.
Seniors Group
The Elderberries mid-afternoon seniors group serves the elderly members of our church and the wider community by providing a place to meet together for a light lunch, quiz, and singing. The afternoon remained relatively popular, but numbers had reduced as it started back up in January 2020. However, again with the COVID lockdown, the group was suspended, but contact was maintained with some of the group via telephone and also letters written by one of the team leaders.
Life Groups
These run as an opportunity for those who are part of the church community to meet together to build friendship and bring encouragement and support for one another. This provides a measure of pastoral care and helps people in the church feel connected. It is also a great opportunity to study the Christian faith at a deeper level, and pray together for a variety of issues and needs.
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OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
We had planned to try and launch more groups over the course of the year but this became difficult due to the COVID lockdown. We moved to some mid-week Zoom meetings and tried to encourage those in our church to join our online Communion service and times of prayer, and these times included a Bible devotional as well. Many struggled with Zoom though as it was dependent on peoples broadband connections and personal ability to access the necessary tech and devices, but we persevered over the course of the year, trying to keep a sense of community amongst people. We also ran a women’s event and a Young Adults meetings via zoom with varying success. The main way we were able to keep connected was via phone calls and text messages and a church WhatsApp group set up to keep people connected with prayer needs and encouragement on a daily basis.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
The charity has remained financially solvent through the generous giving of its members and supporters. As a result of COVID we stopped the mortgage overpayments as we realised that our income would reduce, but we were encouraged that many of our congregation started to give via internet banking, which has really helped to cover the churches operational costs.
Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to set aside 6 months running costs as adequate reserves to ensure that its ongoing commitments can be fully met as a charity. We are currently running at around 3 to 4 months reserves. We continue to work towards building up the reserve levels as income from our members and supporters allow.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
Richard Smith - Senior Minister/Trustee
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OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
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OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 315t December 2020 ACTIVITIES REVIEW The financial results are set out in the enclosed accounts. The principal activity throughout the year under review was that of the advancement of the Christian faith. TRUSTEES Richard Smith Bernard Patrick Hogben Joel Maina Mwangi Elaine James Camillus Osubor STATEMENT We certify that the books, vouchers and information produced to enable the independent examination of our accounts to be conducted contain a fvll and correct record of our financial transactions and activities to the best of our knowledge and belief. SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES AND CHURCH COUNCIL Please print name.. ICHA l-tirH Date 30 Page9of12
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 315t December 2020 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL INTRODUCTION Thank you for submitting the accounts for independent examination. 1. CHARITY LAW AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS The independent examination has been carried out in accordance with The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 (Slatutory Instrumenls No 2724} and the Accounting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2. SIGNING OF ACCOUNTS I shall be obliged if you will please forward a copy of the signature page for my records after the accounts have been signed by a representative appointed by the Trustees and Church Council. A spare copy is enclosed. 3. FINAL ACCOUNT In preparing the final account I have endeavoured to omit all transfers between Oasis accounts. 4. CONCLUSION There are no other matters I feel need to be brought to your attention. Please do not hesitate to contact me for clarification of for further assistance. Luke Silv•r 4 October 2021 Page 10of12
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 315t December 2020 Oasis Church, Feltham Registered Charity: 1054392 Accounting Statement: Receipts & Payments Year Ended 31 December 2020 Unrestricted Designated Funds Funds Total 2020 Total 2019 INCOME Incoming Resources from Donors Missions Church Activity Receipts Misc Investment Income 86,689 200 2,516 500 1,103 87,792 200 2.516 500 101,751 673 5,591 80 TOTAL 89.905 1.103 91,008 108.095 EXPENDITURE Administration (support costs} Eslablishmenls (support costs) Church Activity Costs Icharilable objeclsl Pastoral & Ministry Icharttable objects) Missions (charitable objects} 1,450 31,498 2,822 51,713 3,253 1,450 31,498 2,822 51.713 3,253 1,088 37.117 13,688 46.636 4,598 TOTAL 90.736 90,736 103.127 272 4,968 NOTE All inter departmental transfers have been removed from the above figures. The d6signal8d income has been used for the purwse for which it was donlaled. Page11 of12
OASIS CHURCH FELTHAM Trustees Annual Report - Year Ended 315t December 2020 Oasis Church. Feltham Registered Charity.. 1054392 Statement of Asset5 and Liabllities for the Year Ended 31 December 2020 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2020 Total 2019 Fixed Assets Tangible Assets Church Premises (insurance value) Contents of premises (insurance value) 970,342 40,000 970,342 40.000 970,342 40,000 Total 1,010,342 1,010,342 1,010,342 Current Assets Cash at Bank General Fund HSBC Ajc no 11509225 Trust Deed Alc HSBC No 51202251 Money Master HSBC Wc 31206885 KBL Account No 512002 Missions Alc Lloyds TSB 0627364 Oasis Kids Youth Account HSBC No 91224018 7,405 706 24.260 1,996 1,969 2,131 2.579 7,405 706 24,260 1,996 1,969 2.131 2,579 4,934 706 28,834 1,996 2,022 1,335 761 Tiny Tots Cash Elderberries 425 1,145 987 987 Total Current Assats 42,033 42,033 42,158 Total Assets 1.052.375 1.052,375 1,052.500 Llabllltles KBL Mortgage 49,419 49.419 63,483 Total Liabilities 49.419 49,419 63.483 Net Assets 1,002.956 1,002,956 989,017 Page 12of12