Waterfront Christian Fellowship William Street Church, William Street, Brierley Hill DY5 3XH
Annual Report for the 12 Month Period to 31[st] December 2022
The Waterfront Christian Fellowship is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No 1059128) and is constituted by a Deed of Trust.
The charity is administered by the following committee:
Trustee & Senior Leader Mr A. Bah Trustee (resigned April 2022) Mr S. Bloomer Trustee Mr S. Davies Trustee & Administrator Ms H. Dunn
Objectives and Finance
The object of the charity is the advancement of the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ and the relief of human suffering and poverty at home and overseas as set out in the Deed of Trust.
The Trustees are committed to enabling the local community to worship and benefit from the pastoral care of the church.
In planning the activities of the Fellowship, the Leadership have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and in particular the guidance for the advancement of religion.
The charity is financially dependent on the tithes and offerings from the congregation and the Trustees acknowledge their faithfulness in giving. The Gift Aid scheme is currently operated with annual government tax refund. The Trust has a bank account. At the end of 2022 the congregation remained at approximately 30 persons.
Donations have been made to a number of charities that operate in the UK and overseas for the relief of human suffering. Also, to several missionary organisations (registered charities) which have similar objectives for the advancement of the gospel of God concerning Jesus Christ. It is a particular aim of the charity to make donations, which amount to at least ten per cent of income received for the year, to support either missionary work or the relief of suffering including supporting the local hospice and Food Bank.
In support of the people of Ukraine, both those that fled the country to safety in Poland due to the Russian invasion and those remaining behind, a special appeal was launched. The sum of £1,600 was donated by the congregation. This was sent to a church in Poland where one of its ministry team, Remigiusz (Remek) Mackiewicz whom the Fellowship have known for many years was tasked with distributing the monies to those in need.
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Remek visited the Fellowship on Sunday 19[th] June and shared with the congregation how the money had been spent and the challenges of everyday life for the people of Ukraine and those that had fled to Poland and how our contribution had brought some relief to their circumstances.
Services, Worship and Prayer
The Fellowship meets weekly for a Sunday morning service at 11.00am. This service is a combination of worship, including hymn singing, prayer, reading from the bible, ministry and explanation of the word of God and the administration of the sacrament. Piano and guitar are the main accompaniments to worship. We are blessed by the gifts and dedication of both John Sloan, guitarist and John Heywood, pianist in leading the congregation in praise and worship. Hymn books and the overhead projector are used for public worship with the relevant licences from CCLI. Bibles are also provided. The room also has a hearing loop system to assist those with hearing aids. All are welcome to attend services at the church.
After the Sunday service the congregants are encouraged to remain for a time of informal fellowship, to encourage and minister to one another and for individual personal pastoral care.
Ministry at Sunday services is provided mainly by Senior Leader, Abraham Bah. Occasionally the following congregants also provide ministry, John Sloan, Janet Sloan, John Heywood and Steve Davies. During 2022 the following local ministers were also invited to preach, Kenny Frost, Evangelist with Operation Mobilisation, Rev. Joseph Hayes, Minister at Dudley Community Church and Dr David Oloke, Visioneer of Lifegate Outreach Centre, Walsall.
In July, missionaries to the Asturias, North Western Spain, Gabriel and Daniela Corradini visited the Fellowship and reported on their church planting ministry in that area of Spain.
To the delight of all, five month old Jenny Limpitshi was dedicated as part of the Sunday morning service on 2[nd] October.
During the year a number of days were dedicated to prayer and fasting, with both private prayer at home and mid-week prayer meetings.
Mission and Evangelism
Early in March the congregation donated toiletries and medicines in response to a Ukraine appeal by Dudley Community Church who had made arrangements for them to be transported urgently overland to Poland and Ukraine.
The Fellowship supports the local Black Country Food Bank in Brierley Hill with both monetary gifts and food items. At Easter the Fellowship donated to them eighteen Fairtrade Meaningful Chocolate Company Easter eggs which
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included the Easter story and an activity booklet. Again, at Christmas, the Fellowship donated to the Black Country Food Bank thirty-six Fairtrade Meaningful Chocolate Company Advent calendars which included the Christmas story and an activity booklet. A monetary donation to the Black Country Foodbank was also made at Harvest time.
As Easter approached the Fellowship reached out to the local community, giving out Easter eggs together with an Easter story activity booklet, tracts, palm crosses, Easter cards and a children’s Easter story book ‘The Day the Earth Shook’ by Helen Buckley. These were well received by the local residents and children.
Again, at Christmas the Fellowship went around the local neighbourhood sharing Christmas greetings and giving out tracts, chocolates, a children’s Christmas story book ‘Ssshh … Don’t Wake the Baby’ by Helen Buckley and a book for adults ‘Are You Ready for Christmas? By Roger Carswell. These gifts were warmly received.
On Mothering Sunday, the ladies of the congregation received a copy of ‘40 Days of Faith’ by Paul David Tripp and the men also received a copy of the same book on Father’s Day.
In support of outreach into the community two hundred copies of the monthly Christian newspaper ‘New Life’ is distributed around the local neighbourhood, the Fellowship adding a calendar with the December issue. Calendars are also available for the Fellowship and for their friends and family.
Further outreach events held during the year were two afternoon events when Trustees, Steve Davies and Senior Leader Abraham Bah led a discussion on Israel and end times prophecies.
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne was 6[th] February 1952 and she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, seventy years as Queen, in 2022. National celebrations were held over the Jubilee Weekend of 2nd to 5[th] June. In support of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the church was decorated both outside and inside with jubilee bunting.
To mark this unique occasion the Fellowship purchased and gifted to the congregation the special commemorative book ‘Our Faithful Queen: 70 Years of Faith and Service’ by Catherine Butcher published by Hope Together in partnership with Biblica.
Literature from a number of Christian organisations some of which the Fellowship donates to, is freely available in the church foyer. The Fellowship also gifts to new attendees their own copy of the Holy Bible if they don’t own one, and during the course of the year four copies were given out.
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Children and Youth
May saw the re-launch of the Sunday School for children aged 4 to 12 years. The session is for one hour from 11.15am to 12.15pm. Activities include songs, crafts, games and stories from the bible. The children take home with them each week something they have created which relates to the story. The three teachers, Janet, Lea and Jade work on a rota and put a lot of thought, time and effort into the preparation of each session. They are supported each week by junior helpers. Engagement with children through Sunday meetings promotes Christian values. At the end of the year there were eight children on the register.
The highlight of the year for the children was their participation in the Carols by Candlelight and Nativity Service held at 5.30pm on 18[th] December. A stable scene was created against the Bethlehem skyline. Both children and adults enjoyed dressing up and bringing the Christmas story to life. The service was followed by refreshments and it seemed that everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time. We were particularly encouraged as a number of residents and their children from Wiliam Street joined us for the service. A copy of the Christmas story book ‘Ssshh … Don’t Wake the Baby’ was given to both Sunday School and visiting children. Again Janet, Lea and Jade put much thought and time into creating scenery and making costumes for the nativity.
The children’s music group continued with their one-hour weekly music lesson on Thursday evenings in church. The group is comprised of two learning piano and three learning guitar.
Church Building and Grounds
As part of the main roof refurbishment which was completed in December 2021 four single skin polycarbonate and badly yellowed skylights were replaced on 25[th] January with flat glass double glazed skylights with UPVC frames. The skylight in the foyer which had also deteriorated was replaced with a double glazed glass pyramid skylight with aluminium frame. The skylights were supplied by BBS Structural Glazing Ltd, Bilston.
Annual maintenance checks were carried out on both the gas boiler and fire extinguishers. The gas boiler required a new heat exchanger which was fitted on 8[th] August by Ideal Boilers Ltd.
Cadent Gas Ltd as part of their upgrade programme in the area inserted new plastic pipe into the current metal gas pipe from the gas junction in the road outside church down the drive to the gas meter in the church foyer on 25[th] January.
Due to water damage to the ceilings in both the Main Hall and Back Room in 2021, sections of plasterboard required repairing along the joints. Those repaired in the Main Hall were re-painted. In the Back Room the ceiling, walls and skirting were painted.
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The bright white ceiling lights were replaced with warm white dimmable LED down lights and dimmer switches in the Main Hall, Back Room and Foyer. Other electrical work carried out was the installation of exterior weather proof sockets at the front and back of the church, new exterior light fittings for the driveway and car park and a new bulk head emergency light for the Back Room.
With the new exterior socket at the front of the church we were able to display our new Christmas Nativity lights, depicting a star above Jesus in a crib with Mary kneeling beside, wise men with gifts and shepherds with a lamb.
In July the boundary hedge to the car park was reduced in height and the alley way between the hedge and the neighbours’ gardens backing onto the hedge was cleared of undergrowth and the thickness of the hedge on that side reduced. The car park, driveway and side garden are maintained throughout the year.
The large planters at the front of the church were painted and new soil and manure added. A selection of pines, conifers, junipers and heathers were planted alongside other evergreen plants. Summer bedding was later added.
A tap on the driveway has been installed, and a hosepipe purchased to make watering the plants easier particularly in dry weather to ensure the plants become established.
The cleaning of the interior of the church building is done weekly by a member of the congregation.
The church building is available for local groups and organisations to use.
Administration
The Leadership team held regular meetings throughout the year for discussions on worship, children’s work, mission and outreach, pastoral care, the church fabric, finance and other matters.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were carried out on the Trustees and Sunday School teachers, seven in total.
The above is a summary of the activities and events during 2022 of the Waterfront Christian Fellowship at William Street Church.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Helen Dunn Trustee
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Waterfront Christian Fellowship - Statement of accounts 2022
Balance at 31[st] December 2022
Barclays Bank Community a/c £109,018.03 Business Premium a/c £15,997.75 Cash £49.45 Total £125,065.23
Income by month
January £1,054.09 February £1,002.09 March £6,069.86 (£5,101.77 insurance claim payment) April £842.28 May £1,272.09 June £976.09 July £4,862.17 (£3,857.08 insurance claim payment) August £1,124.09 September £744.09 October £1,490.70 November £1,043.09 December £535.99 Total £21,016.63 Total income less insurance claim payment of £8,958.85: £12,057.78
Tithes & offerings
Cash
Jan £707.00 Jul £533.00 Feb £655,00 Aug £552.00 Mar £496.00 Sept £272.00 Apr £370.19 Oct £1,018.61 May £800.00 Nov £571.00 Jun £504.00 Dec £63.90 Total £6,542.70 Online £4,826.00 Gift aid £589.08 Cheque £100.00 Total £5,515.08
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Expenses
Expenses by month
January £2,459.50 February £38,058.89 (£35,568.00 top roof refurbishment & skylights x 5) March £2,541.99 April £3,491.95 May £2,815.35 June £2,160.02 July £3,637.77 August £3,483.48 (£912.00 balance of roof/skylights refurbishment) September £1,956.41 October £2,569.71 November £2,353.82 December £10,548.60 (Ceiling plaster board repairs £2,188.80) (Decorating Back Room £1,275.00) (Ceiling lights x 60 & other lights/sockets £4,735.20) Total £76,077.49 Total spend less roof/ceiling repairs/decorating/lights £31,398.49
Note: Insurance claim payment £8,958.85
Spent: Ceiling repairs £2,188.80 Decorating £1,275.00 Total £3,463.80 Balance £5,495.05
Expenses by category
Administration £3,976.00 Christmas £518.30 Church £49,540.05 Donations £1,628.40 (inc £50 monthly to Vision of Hope Animal Assisted Therapy Easter £316.24 (inc Easter eggs x 18 Black Country Food Bank £81) Evangelism £1,424.69 Garden £557.98 Ministry £15,038.50 Music Group £1,113.98 Sunday School £425.35 Utilities £1,538.00 Total £76,077.49
Utilities
Electricity £625.81 Gas £409.42 Telephone £502.77
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Expenses cont.
Donations to other ministries / charities £1,709.40
Black Country Food Bank (Easter eggs £81; Advent calendars £158.40; Harvest gift £100.00) - £339.40
Francis Hackett - Franky & the Flames (Israel Rally) - £60.00
Gabriel & Daniela Corradini, Asturias, Spain - £250.00
Greater Europe Mission UK (GEM) (£60 monthly s/o Jan-Apr) - £240.00
In memory Carol Macaulay’s brother - £30.00
Steve Goodall (Israel Rally) / Prayer for Israel Kyriat Tivon Congregation (4292) £30.00
Steve Buck (£40 monthly s/o Jan-Apr) - £160.00
Vision of Hope Animal Assisted Therapy (£50 monthly s/o) - £600
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1A Oakfield Close, Stourbridge DY8 4BE
Monthly rent £750 less estate agent fees of 7% (£52.50 + £10.50 vat: £63.00) = £687 monthly
Lease renewal fee £120 + £24 vat: £144.00
Barclays Bank
Business Premium a/c at 31[st] December 2022 - £15,997.75
Income Rental income £8,100.00 Interest £13.19 Total £8,113.19
Expenses Annual gas service £143.23 Carbon monoxide alarm £19.99 Insurance £345.79 Replacement of kitchen taps £170.00 Total £679.01
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WATERFRONT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
WILLIAM STREET CHURCH
WILLIAM STREET
BRIERLEY HILL
WEST MIDLANDS
DY5 3XH
Registered Charity Number: 1059128
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
AND
INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022
Luke Silver Accountancy & Taxation Services 25 Ellicombe Close Minehead Somerset TA24 6DQ
Mobile: 07710 456376
E-mail: luke-silver@puresilver.org.uk
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Receipts and Payment Accounts
Report to the trustees/members of Waterfront Christian Fellowship
Registered Charity Number 1059128
On the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2022
Set out on the following pages
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity¹s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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• To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act Have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed L A Silver
Date: 2 June 2023
Luke Silver HNC Business & Finance Accountancy Practitioner
25 Ellicombe Close, Minehead, Somerset. TA24 6DQ
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees & Church Council
Introduction
Thank you for submitting the accounts for independent examination. They have been well maintained and the treasurer and others responsible are to be commended for their hard work. Therefore I will keep my comments to a minimum.
Charity Law and Financial Regulations
The independent examination has been carried out in accordance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instruments No 2724) and the Accounting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).
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.
Conclusion
There are no other matters I feel need to be brought to your attention.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further clarification or for further assistance.
Luke Silver
Date: 2 June 2023
WATERFRONT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022
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 and the extension of the Kingdom of God.
CHURCH COUNCIL AND TRUSTEES
Mr S Bloomer (Resigned 12 April 2022)
5 Bratch Hollow, Womborne, Wolverhampton. WV5 9AE Tel: 01902 896904
Ms H Dunn
Mr S Davies
Mr A Bah
STATEMENT
We certify that the books, vouchers and information produced to enable the independent examination of our accounts to be conducted contain a full 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 MEMBERS
Please print name:
Date:
Waterfront Christian Fellowship Registered Charity No: 1059128
Summary Receipts and Payments For The Year Ended 31st December 2022
| 2021 2022 £ £ Receipts |
2021 2022 £ £ Receipts |
2021 2022 £ £ Payments |
2021 2022 £ £ Payments |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Church Giving (see note 1) Other Income (see note 2) Investment Income (see note 3) |
12,933 11,884 0 |
12,058 18,003 13 |
Pastoral/Ministry Expenses (see note 4) Support Costs (see note 5) Rental Property Expenditure (see note 6) |
21,680 11,945 2,414 |
16,464 59,613 1,579 |
| 24,817 | 30,074 | 36,039 | 77,656 | ||
| Opening Bal @ 01.01.22 Total |
Barclays | 172,598 Closing Balance @ 31.12.22 202,672 Total |
Barclays | 125,016 | |
| 202,672 |
LAS
Summary
12/06/2023
Waterfront Christian Fellowship Registered Charity No: 1059128
Receipts for the year ended 31st December 2022
| Church Giving (Note 1) Offerings Gift Aid Return Missions Other Income (Note 2) Insurance Claim Sundry Rental Income Investment Income (Note 3) Interest Total |
£ £ 2021 |
£ £ 2021 |
£ £ 2022 |
£ £ 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,131 802 0 |
12,933 11,884 0 |
11,469 589 0 |
12,058 18,003 13 |
|
| 0 907 10,977 |
8,959 44 9,000 |
|||
| 0 | 13 | |||
| 24,817 | 30,074 | |||
LAS
12/06/2023
Inc
Waterfront Christian Fellowship Registered Charity No: 1059128
Payments for the year ended 31st December 2022
| Pastoral/Ministry Costs (Note 4) Ministry Costs Missions Support Costs (Note 5) Building Fees / Insurances Utilities Equipment Joy Magazines General Running Costs Property Rental (Note 6) Property Maintenance Total |
£ £ 2021 |
£ £ 2021 |
£ £ 2022 |
£ £ 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,010 3,670 |
21,680 11,945 2,414 |
15,039 1,425 |
16,464 59,613 1,579 |
|
| 2,792 1,131 1,724 0 437 5,861 |
48,116 1,424 1,538 0 0 8,535 |
|||
| 2,414 | 1,579 | |||
| 36,039 | 77,656 | |||
LAS
12/06/2023
Exps
Waterfront Christian Fellowship Registered Charity No: 1059128
Statement of Assets and Liabilities As At 31st December 2022
| £ | £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Assets Church Premises (Insurance Value) Movable Contents (Insurance Value) High Risk Contents Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Bank Balances: Barclays Bank A/C Barclays Bank Premium Cash Total Current Assets Total Assets Current Liabilites Net Assets |
338,655 53,045 7,725 |
399,425 125,065 |
| 109,018 15,998 49 |
||
| 524,490 | ||
| NIL | ||
| 524,490 | ||
LAS
12/06/2023
Assets