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2021-12-31-accounts

EMMAUS CHURCH

Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, Bristol

Reg. Charity No. 1059742

Trustees Report for 2021

This report provides a summary of the activities of the church during 2021, the accounts for year ending 31st December 2021 and plans for 2022 The activities of the Church were impacted by the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic Restrictions

Approved at a Trustees meeting on 5[th] May 2022

Signed on behalf of the Trustees by

____ S J Miller

Summary of Emmaus Church during 2021

Emmaus Church is an independent body, registered as a charity (No 1059742) on 12th Dec. 1996. Emmaus Church Centre (ECC) is registered as a place of worship No. 79101 and for marriages No. 42123. The Western Counties & South Wales Evangelisation Trust governs the building and grounds. Emmaus CC, where most of the activities of the charity are carried out, is situated in Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, near Bristol BS35 4NP

The Church was overseen by nine trustees:

The following were added as Trustees at a Leaders Meeting on 10[th] May 2021

The church was led by a Leadership Support Team :

The Leadership Support Team was challenged to bring younger members to the Team.

The Church regular activities designed to maintain involvement with the community were severely disrupted by the Coronavirus19 Pandemic.

The Church employed Mary-Anne Willmott as a self employed Church Development Worker (8 hours per week) until she resigned at the end of August as she was accepted in a full-time post at Castle Secondary School, Thornbury.

The Church is advertising for a Church Leader and/or Community/Family Worker

Address for correspondence:

Mr S. John Miller, Salthouse Farm, Shaft Road, Severn Beach, Bristol, BS35 4NH

The primary object (as specified in the Deed of Trust) is:

“the advancement of the Christian faith and the extension of the Kingdom of God and other charitable purposes”

One or more persons who are known to be part of the body of the Church led each of the separate prime activities of the charity. The majority of activities were being supported voluntarily with time and money given by church members. The church welcomed a variety of Christian speakers from other churches to preach. A treasurer administers the finances. For details of other objects and related activities, see the Appendix.

During 2021, the church continued to comply with covid19 restrictions. The church building was closed from January to March. During the rest of the year, services were conducted at the building with Zoom internet facilities for the vulnerable. All seating was arranged according to social distancing rules.

It continued to support Christian work at home and abroad. See Appendix for more details.

The pattern of services that developed after March 2021

The church was funded by voluntary gifts the amount of which varies from year to year and a small amount of rental income. Total income in 2021 was £35,988. This was slightly up on 2020

2020 2021 Increase/Decrease
Income £33,983 £35,988 +£2,005

The church encouraged those who pay tax and are committed to Emmaus Church to sign a gift aid mandate as it is a valuable source of revenue and we operate the Small Gift Aid Donation. Gift Aid Donations refund received in 2021 was £4862.76 for donations made in 2020)

2020 2021 Increase/Decrease
Gift Aid Refund £5500 £4863 -£637

The church holds Santander current and deposit accounts and a Kingdom Bank savings bond. Kingdom Bank supports the work of churches and charities in keeping with Emmaus Church’s vision.

We renewed our loan account with Green Pastures for a further 2 years, a charity that provides accommodation for the homeless. We received significant interest in 2021.

Rent Income from other groups

A local social group called ‘Stitches’ did not meet at ECC during 2021.

A Baby Hub run by Sirona Care and Health began to meet from June as restrictions were lifted. It was a few months before this facility became established. The church hall and car park was hired by an ITV crew filming in Severn Beach for a rest area and by the local Committee of the Neighbourhood Plan for their meetings.

Expenditure for 2021 was £25,084, up on 2020. Even though many activities were cancelled due to the covid19 pandemic, national lockdowns and restrictions we were able to give more to Christian work, charities and mission.

Year 2020 2021 Increase/Decrease
Expenditure £24,197 £25,084 +£887
Gifts to other Christian work £6,309 £9,204 +£2,895
Gifts to lay preachers £1,450 £2,320 +£870

The church’s gifts to other Christian work, those in need and missions increased in 2021 to £9,204 which is almost 37% of total expenditure or income.

The church continues to give gifts to lay preachers and the total amount was £2,320. This was back to pre-pandemic amount and includes a £250 gift for the use of the Alpha Course videos.

We are pleased to report that the church remains in a healthy financial situation and did not use any reserved funds.

Banks: Santander, Brindle Road, Bootle, Merseyside. L30 4GB

and Kingdom Bank Ltd, Ruddington Fields Business Park, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham. NG11 6JS

Independent Examiner: Joshua Kingston, BSc (Hons) ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton, Bristol. BS48 1UR

APPENDIX

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH IN 2021

Object 1: The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrines set out in the first schedule hereto, and the worship of God… the preaching and proclamation of the Christian Gospel and the teaching of Christian doctrines and principles and the pastoral care of Christian people and the printing and distribution of the Bible and Christian literature.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES:

Sunday Mornings took place on Zoom only January – March, thereafter at the Church Centre and on Zoom – eventually BT installed a telephone line and internet connection to facilitate the use of online technology from the building

Worship of God, Christian teaching and preaching (no separate groups for children) using Zoom, worship song videos (purchased extra licences to use digital resources) with Holy Communion once a month. A number of lay preachers were invited to share the responsibility of teaching and preaching on Zoom along with some speakers from the congregation. The church followed the Bible Course produced by the Bible Society throughout the year with a break during the summer months when the focus was the Miracles of Jesus. The church’s Worship Leader was able the lead worship when services were held outside or at the church building. The Zoom Sunday Morning Services have proved successful in the circumstances with up to 40 people joining in, including some church friends from outside the area.

We kept in touch with people who were unable to join a Zoom Service with a weekly/fortnightly news/prayer letter.

A few families join in the Sunday Morning Worship on Zoom. Activity Bags with a snack were given out once a month to families who attended Breakfast Club until July. A family and grandchildren began attending in the church building from September.

Sunday Evening Services:

o No Sunday evening services took place

Leaders’ meetings

Mid-week Groups

Church socials:

Publicity:

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Some of the highlights of 2021:

Prayer

Special Services

o April: Easter Service at ECC and on Zoom

o July: Open air Service and Picnic in the church grounds

o September: ‘Harvest Thanksgiving’ with donations for the local Foodbank

Easter

o April: Maundy Thursday Service on Zoom o April: Easter Day Service at Emmaus Church Centre and on Zoom o April: some members attended the on-line Spring Harvest Conference

Christmas

o Christmas Eve Service at Emmaus Church Centre and on Zoom

Other Services:

Wedding

o April – Janet Kendall and David Thorne – guests restricted in numbers

Funeral

o August: Funeral and Wake for Pam Hoare, long time member of ECC

AGM

Social Events/Reaching the Community

January to December

Muller’s Partnership

Celebration Partnership

Severnside Churche s

Object 2: The relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, also those who are elderly or infirm.

Foodbank collections continued based at Salthouse Farm supplemented with donations from St Peter’s Church, Pilning and were delivered to the North West Bristol Avonmouth Hub regularly. Harvest Thanksgiving food donations were given to the Foodbank.

Relief and help have been offered to members of our own congregation who are in need, both from church funds, and also through other members' personal care, compassion and prayer.

Object 3: The advancement of education on the basis of Christian principles for persons of all ages.

Regular teaching in the Emmaus Church Centre for adults and children Adults followed teaching series entitled:

Children:

Sponsorship/Gifts

Regular gift to Nationwide Christian Trust, publishers of Living Light daily bible reading notes

Gifts to visiting speakers and worship leaders, and speakers on Zoom

Regular gift to ‘Changing Tunes’, to support their work with offenders and ex-offenders to reduce re-offending through music until August

Gifts of knitted hats for Seafarers, distributed by Steve Loader, Chaplain based at the Seafarers Mission at Portbury/Avonmouth docks along with a gift of £700 to the Mission.

One off gift to Trevor Ranger for their work in taking assemblies in schools

Regular gifts to support the Celebration and the Mix (City Fellowship)

Annual subscriptions/fees to:

2. CHURCH BUILDINGS, GROUNDS and EQUIPMENT in 2021

The Church Centre building and grounds remain mostly in good order and were maintained by volunteers with the help of:

Portable electrical appliances and fire extinguishers were tested in 2021

Subscription to API for servicing the audio/visual equipment

Broadband equipment from BT to facilitate the use of Zoom Meetings App BT installed a telephone line and WiFi connection in April

3. PLANS FOR 2022 (and beyond)

A: Individuals

B: Church

C: Community

D: Building

4. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees have had regard to the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on public benefit in preparing this report and in the various activities of the church.

All three objects as outlined in this report seek to provide activities and actions which benefit the public through the pro-active involvement of members of the church in community activities, financial support for those whose ministry is to serve others ensuring that the ultimate beneficiaries are those whom they serve rather than themselves and significant mission activities in the local community for the size of the church. The church also supports financially those in other communities and countries whose work is designed to benefit local people in their areas of operation.

The church is also keen to work not only in social mission but also in evangelistic activities because the church leaders and trustees consider that the Christian message is crucial to people knowing wholeness and healing in their lives and the church is delighted to hear stories of changed lives over the years through the church’s commitment to the Christian message.

Therefore, the Trustees consider that through direct involvement of its members and indirect involvement (through funding others) both in their local area and also further afield, the church is serving people to their benefit and for their support. It is the desire of the leaders and Trustees that the church grows in order that this work might increase.

TRUSTEE POLICIES

Investment Policy

It is agreed that the Trustees hold no more than necessary to meet normal expenditure levels in the current account, and that the remainder of the reserves are held in a deposit account, the performance of which is reviewed from time to time with the Church Treasurer.

Reserve Policy

The Trustees consider it prudent to hold up to a normal year’s expenditure in reserve in a deposit account. This is to ensure there is adequate provision to fund any unexpected expenditure as the Church is almost wholly reliant on freewill gifts from Church members which can vary considerably from year to year.

The Trustees also hold an additional reserve as it is their desire to appoint an employee if a suitable candidate were available to progress the work of the church. The free reserves at the year-end were £33,839

Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding is constantly being monitored, revised and updated. Carol Miller is the co-ordinator. Emmaus Church is registered with the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS ref: 2021). A system for police-checking Children and Youth Workers (DBS Certificates) is established.

Health and Safety Policy

The Trustees are aware of their responsibilities concerning risks to the Trust. The Church has a Health and Safety Policy which is applicable for Emmaus Church as a low risk, less than 5 employees Charity. The Church considers risk management important. Risks such as accidents in the car park and children leaving the grounds unaccompanied are assessed as part of the normal decision-making process to the Church.

Church Insurance

Emmaus Church is insured with the Congregational & General, using their standard ‘Church Choice’ Policy. Public liability has been confirmed as five million pounds.

Certificates

Portable electrical appliances are tested annually.

Fire extinguishers and fire blanket are tested annually by a specialist firm. The Kitchen is registered with South Gloucestershire Council as Food Premises and was inspected by a Food Safety Officer in 2013.

Several Church members have Food Hygiene certificates which may need updating. Several Church members have First Aid certificates which may need updating.

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Emmaus Church

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Emmaus Church (the Charity) for the year ended 31[st] December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Joshua Kingston, BSc (Hons) ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR

Date: 5[th] May 2022

EMMAUS CHURCH

Receipts & Payments Account Year Ended 31 December 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
RECEIPTS
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals
Funds Fund 2021 2020
£ £ £ £
Collections and general gifts 5,469 899 6,368 7,532
Gift Aid donations 23,374 - 23,374 19,451
Rent 385 - 385 150
Event income 170 - 170 353
Deposit account interest 828 - 828 997
Gift Aid refunds 4,863 - 4,863 5,500
35,089 899 35,988 33,983
PAYMENTS
Gifts to Christian work & missionary 8,432 772 9,204 6,309
-
Gifts to speakers 2,320 2,320 1,450
Staff costs 3,319 - 3,319 6,074
Outreach 902 - 902 1,592
Teaching and training 911 - 911 1,174
Repairs and renewals (50) - (50) 937
Accountant and Independent Examiner 780 - 780 528
Utilities 1,244 - 1,244 1,287
-
Church cleaning & maintenance 2,455 2,455 1,546
Insurance 1,195 - 1,195 1,128
-
Membership/subs/licences 1,675 1,675 1,610
Stationery, publishing, printing & advertising 1,060 - 1,060 280
Miscellaneous expenses 69 - 69 -
Musical materials & equipment - - - 282
24,312 772 25,084 24,197
Surplus of payments over receipts 10,777 127 10,904 9,786
-
Balance as at 1 January 2021 70,261 70,261 60,475
Balance as at 31 December 2021 81,038 127 81,165 70,261
Represented by:
Cash and bank balances 81,038 127 81,165 70,261
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EMMAUS CHURCH

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2021

Cash Balances on Receipts and Payments
Account Carried Forward
Current Account
Deposit Account
12 Month Savings Bond
2 year loan account
Cash in hand
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Independent Examiners' fee
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 5th May 2022		 2021
£
16,162
17,661
22,326
25,000
16
81,165
81,165
900		 2020
£
6,086
16,911
22,248
25,000
16
70,261
70,261
780

S J Miller

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