ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021
| INDEX TO ACCOUNTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Legal and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Trustees’ Report | 2 - 3 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Accounts | 5 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 6 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 7 - 8 |
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1054416
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021
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Address of Charity
Registered address: 171 Earlham Green Lane Norwich NR5 8RF
Tel: Norwich (01603) 457774
Trustees
Rev P A Venner (Chairman) Mrs J Venner Mr A Kpodo Mrs P Kpodo Mr D Devadoss
Treasurer
Mrs J Venner
Bankers
HSBC 18 London Street Norwich Norfolk NR2 1LG
Reporting Accountants
Adrian Smith Accountants Ltd 61 Freeland Close Thorpe Marriott Norwich Norfolk NR8 6XR
Page 1
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021
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The trustees submit their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2021.
Constitution and objects
Eternity Christian Centre Norwich (also formerly known as Earlham (Norwich) Christian Centre) was founded in 1991, the governing constitution adopted on 29 September 1993 and became registered as a charity on 9 April 1996 (registration number 1054416). The objectives of the charity are as follows:
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(i) The advancement of the Christian Religion by the proclamation and furtherance of the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ the Lord and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God by the Church in accordance with the Essential Doctrines and Articles of belief of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland as approved by the General Council from time to time (the Doctrines and Articles).
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(ii) The furtherance of the other charitable work of the Church consistently with the Doctrines and Articles.
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(iii) The furtherance of the work of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland and the promotion of the spiritual teaching and the maintenance of the Doctrines and Articles and the promotion of religious observances that manifest such Doctrines and Articles.
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(iv) Such other charitable purposes as shall further the attainment of the above objects of the Church or any of them.
Organisation
The trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1.
Review of activities and results
This financial year started with the worldwide church in lockdown and ended with the church still closed for the same reason – the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been a very challenging year for Eternity Church but we are emerging from it with strength. We have had obstacles to negotiate but God has been faithful and our income, while down, has been such that we have never been unable to pay all our financial obligations. Finances started off strongly but did tail off and we are in the midst of a downward trend, but we believe God will remain faithful and the church members will remain financially committed. We did receive a lumpsum payment during this year which has also helped to keep us moving forward financially into the 2022 financial year.
This year sadly also saw the end of our long collaboration with Eternity Downham Market. They have always been a separate charity and decided at the beginning of 2020, for various reasons, that they would like to make their own way. The separation was amicable although understated due to the national lockdown that was in place when the collaboration came to an end in April 2020.
Due to the coronavirus lockdowns across the year and government rules in place, the Church Services have been pre-recorded and streamed online. We appointed an independent person to manage all live media and social media expressions which included creating and streaming the online services. Church Services have remained online only throughout the year, except for the month of October 2020 which also saw us meeting again in-person in the church building, albeit under strict social distancing rules. This was a tentative trial which only lasted 1 month due to another national lockdown in November 2020. Subsequent to that we decided to keep the church in-person services closed until further notice. Although the government allowed places of worship to open under strict guidelines we felt that attendance would be poor and the risk to people’s health too great, due to a surge in covid-19 cases across the UK. We await to see how the national vaccination programme unfolds, with a view to re-opening in the Spring or early summer of 2021.
Our children’s work (KidzRock) went online until September 2020 but has not been able to restart since then.
Page: 2
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021
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We have seen our global reach increase hugely and people have tuned in from all around the world to our online Sunday services and Pastor Paddy’s daily live-stream.
Connect Groups, Destiny, Fuel students, Men’s Group, Ladies Group have continued to meet throughout the year via online formats. There was also a period over the summer months of 2020 when lockdown rules were eased and the congregation and small groups were able to meet up in public spaces outdoors. We had 3 church ‘socially-distanced’ picnics. These were well attended and it was wonderful to be able to talk to each other in-person. Sadly this stopped again in the autumn due to further government lockdowns which were in place until at least the end of this financial year.
Discipleship School was successfully run online via Zoom twice during this year.
We said goodbye to Matt Gardiner from the Visionary Team and we appointed Davidson Devadoss to the Visionary Team.
Church will not be the same again and we now await God’s revelation for His way forward as churches start drawing up plans to commence in-person services again.
We choose to praise Him and remain steadfast throughout.
Freehold property
The freehold premises, Eternity Christian Centre Norwich, Earlham Green Lane, Norwich, is owned by the Church, with Assemblies Of God Property Trust as the holding trustee. A professional survey and commercial valuation value of the property was last attained in 2019.
Risk Management
The trustees monitor risks on an ongoing basis, this includes identifying the likelihood of risk events occurring and their possible impact on the charity. They consider how the current systems of internal control might be further enhanced to mitigate major risks.
Reserves Policy
Where possible and feasible, it is the charity’s policy to maintain unrestricted funds in savings that equate to 2 or 3 months of anticipated resources expended. At this level the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the short term, in the event of a significant drop in funding.
Rev P A Venner Chairman
_________ Rev A Kpodo Trustee
Page: 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021
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We report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 5th April 2019, which are set out on pages 5 to 9.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the
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requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting
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requirements of the Act
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have not been met; or
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2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper undertaking of the accounts to be reached.
Adrian Smith Accountants Ltd 61 Freeland Close Thorpe Marriott Norwich Norfolk NR8 6XR
Page: 4
| ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS | |||||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021 | |||||
| _______________ | |||||
| General Fund | Total | Total | |||
| (Unrestricted) | (Restricted) | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Notes | |||||
| Income Receipts | |||||
| Donations,legacies and other similar receipts | 2 | £106,743 | £0 | £106,743 | £94,798 |
| Operatingactivities | 3 | £20,775 | £0 | £20,775 | £28,364 |
| Investment Income | £8 | £0 | £8 | £0 | |
| Total receipts | £127,526 | £0 | £127,526 | £123,162 | |
| Resources expended | |||||
| Charitable activities | 4 | £106,846 | £0 | £106,846 | £117,907 |
| Management and Administration | 5 | £4,744 | £0 | £4,744 | £5,244 |
| Totalpayments | £111,590 | £0 | £111,590 | £123,151 | |
| Net receipts/(payments)for | |||||
| thisyear | £15,936 | £0 | £15,936 | £11 | |
| Cash and bank balances at | |||||
| 5 April 2020 | -£7,686 | £27,148 | £19,462 | £19,451 | |
| Cash and bank balances at | |||||
| 5 April 2021 | £8,250 | £27,148 | £35,398 | £19,462 | |
| Page 5 |
| ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 5 APRIL 2021 | ||||
| ______________ | ||||
| Monetary Assets | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| General Fund | ||||
| Bank and cash balances | ||||
| Bank current account | £4,489 | £6,288 | ||
| Savings Account | £30,909 | £13,174 | ||
| Total cash and bank balances at 5 April 2021 | £35,398 | £19,462 | ||
| Other assets | ||||
| Church building- owned bythe charity- Assemblies of God Property | ||||
| Trust are the holdingTrustees. | £825,000 | £825,000 | ||
| Furniture and equipment in Church building (costs unknown) | ||||
| Liabilities | ||||
| General Fund | £ NIL | £ NIL | ||
| Page: 6 |
| ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS | |||||
| YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021 | |||||
| ___________ | ________ | ||||
| 2 | Donations, Legacies and other similar receipts | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| General Fund | |||||
| General Offerings | £27,196 | £0 | £27,196 | £23,388 | |
| Gift Aided Offerings | £63,089 | £0 | £63,089 | £50,572 | |
| Gift Aid Refund | £16,457 | £0 | £16,457 | £15,493 | |
| Interest Received | £0 | £0 | £0 | £28 | |
| Special Offerings | £0 | £0 | £0 | £5,316 | |
| Missions | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| £106,743 | £0 | £106,743 | £94,798 | ||
| 3 | Operating activities to further Charity’s objects | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| General Fund | |||||
| EternityDownham Market - contribution to expense | s £0 |
£0 | £0 | £3,000 | |
| EternityDownham Market - contribution to staff | £4,683 | £0 | £4,683 | £25,096 | |
| Training | £90 | £0 | £90 | £0 | |
| Sundries | £16,003 | £0 | £16,003 | £0 | |
| Special Events | £0 | £0 | £0 | £268 | |
| CD's | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| £20,775 | £0 | £20,775 | £28,364 | ||
| Page: 7 |
| ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | ETERNITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE NORWICH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS(CONTINUED) | |||||
| YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2021 | |||||
| ______________ | |||||
| 4 | Charitable activities | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| Funds | Funds | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| General Fund | |||||
| Bank Charges | £237 | £0 | £237 | £64 | |
| Catering (Supplies & Food) | £192 | £0 | £192 | £1,749 | |
| Centre Maintenance and RunningCosts | £7,549 | £0 | £7,549 | £7,684 | |
| Cleaning | £1,120 | £0 | £1,120 | £3,739 | |
| Computer Software,Consumables and Website Costs | £1,046 | £0 | £1,046 | £0 | |
| Equipment & Furniture Purchased | £1,534 | £0 | £1,534 | £1,349 | |
| Insurance | £1,584 | £0 | £1,584 | £1,506 | |
| Lighting,Heatingand Water | £1,902 | £0 | £1,902 | £2,426 | |
| Manse Rent | £12,000 | £0 | £12,000 | £12,000 | |
| Ministry | £403 | £0 | £403 | £300 | |
| Missions | £4,379 | £0 | £4,379 | £3,831 | |
| Music,Media and Online Church Service Costs | £7,674 | £0 | £7,674 | £1,198 | |
| Pastor expenses | £172 | £0 | £172 | £1,237 | |
| Printing | £114 | £0 | £114 | £453 | |
| Special Events | £18 | £0 | £18 | £1,304 | |
| Special Gifts | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | |
| Stationery | £489 | £0 | £489 | £648 | |
| Staff and Pensions | £60,981 | £0 | £60,981 | £70,595 | |
| Students | £60 | £0 | £60 | £120 | |
| Sundries | £2,487 | £0 | £2,487 | £1,909 | |
| Telephone | £1,981 | £0 | £1,981 | £1,784 | |
| Training& Conferences | £602 | £0 | £602 | £1,360 | |
| Travel | £208 | £0 | £208 | £2,388 | |
| Youth/Children(Sunday) | £114 | £0 | £114 | £261 | |
| £106,846 | £0 | £106,846 | 117,907 | ||
| 5 | Management and Administration | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| Funds | Funds | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| General Fund | |||||
| Independent examiner’s fees | £190 | £0 | 190 | £180 | |
| AOG Contribution | £2,880 | £0 | 2,880 | £2,860 | |
| Payroll Services | £864 | £0 | 864 | £792 | |
| Subscriptions & Licences | £810 | £0 | 810 | £1,412 | |
| £4,744 | £0 | 4,744 | 5,244 | ||
| Page: 8 |