2022-12-31-accounts

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EMMAUS CHURCH

Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, Bristol

Reg. Charity No. 1059742

Trustees Report for 2022

This report provides a summary of the activities of the church during 2022, the accounts for year ending 31st December 2022 and plans for 2023.

Approved at a Trustees meeting on 4[th] May 2023.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

____ S J Miller

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Summary of Emmaus Church during 2022

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. ECC where most of the activities of the charity are carried out, is situated in Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, BS35 4NP.

The Church was overseen by eight trustees:

• Samuel Isaac Peter Marsh – Chairman

• Robert Lawrence Scott-Cook - Chairman

• Samuel John Miller – Senior Elder

• Mark William Chattaway – Elder

• Damian Paul Selby – Trustee

• Joy Nurcombe – Trustee

• Jacqueline Conradie-Faul – Trustee

• Luke Samuel Addison – Trustee

• Mary-Anne Willmott – Trustee – Resigned during 2022

The church was led by a Leadership Support Team :

• Samuel John Miller – Leader

• Supported by

• Celia Beales

• Keith Emmerson

• Abigail Selby

• Paul Selby - from June 2022

• Bridget Chattaway

• Anuran Wickramasinghe

• John Mark Molyneux – from October 2022

The Leadership Support Team recognised the need for a paid part time staff member to support the work undertaken by the team.

The Church advertised for a Church Leader and/or Community/Family Worker John Mark Molyneux was appointed and employed as a Pastoral Assistant on 11[th] October at an Extraordinary Trustee Meeting.

Address for correspondence:

Mr S. John Miller, Churchside, Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, Bristol BS35 4NP.

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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 the exception of J M Molyneux’ involvement) with time and money given by church members. A treasurer administers the finances. For details of other objects and related activities, see the Appendix.

During 2022, the church continued to comply with remaining covid19 restrictions.

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

The pattern of services is as follows

• Weekly at the church building and on Zoom

• Monthly Praise and Prayer Group on Zoom and from March at the building

• o Fortnightly home groups in homes and at the building

• Small support groups met at the building, in homes and on Zoom

The church was funded by voluntary gifts the amount of which varies from year to year and a small amount of rental income.

	2021	2022	Increase/Decrease
Income	£35,988	£36,428	+£440

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.

	2021	2022	Increase/Decrease
Gift Aid Refund	£4,863	£5,844	+£981

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 stock account with Green Pastures for a further 2 years, a charity that provides accommodation for the homeless. We received interest of £750 in 2022.

Rent Income from other groups

A local social group called ‘Stitches’ met at ECC during 2022.

A Baby Hub run by Sirona Care and Health met monthly at ECC.

The local Steering Group of the Neighbourhood Plan met at ECC for their meetings and hired ECC for an open evening.

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Expenditure for 2022 was £33,430.

Year	2021	2022	Increase/Decrease
Expenditure	£25,084	£33,430	+£8,346
Gifts to other Christian work	£9,204	£7,767	-£1,437
Gifts to lay preachers	£2,320	£3,135	+£815

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

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APPENDIX

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH IN 2022

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 Morning all age worship (usually 30-40 Adults, 2-8 under 18’s):

Sunday Morning Services were the main church activity including worship, prayer, interviews, Christian teaching and preaching with a separate group for children (initially once a fortnight and from September weekly) during part of the service, with Holy Communion once a month with up to 40 people attending. A number of lay Christian preachers from other local churches were invited to share the responsibility of teaching and preaching supplemented with some speakers from the congregation.

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

Leaders’ meetings

o The Leadership Support Team met fortnightly on Monday evenings on Zoom.

Mid-week Groups

• Prayer and Praise monthly for support and prayer, meeting at ECC

• A four week Lent Course in March and April based on Pete Grieg’s book ‘How to Pray?’

• Monthly screening of episodes of the film ‘The Chosen’

• The Worship/Music Group met regularly for practices.

• Home groups met throughout the year in homes or at ECC.

Church socials:

• Church outings were held throughout the year (Clarks Village, Clearwell Caves, the Royal Mint etc) every other month

• Yorkie (Men’s) Group met throughout the year (Tenpin bowling, Beechenhurst Forest, Castle Combe Race Track, St Fagan’s Museum, etc)

• A Ladies Coffee Morning met once a month throughout the year

• July: End of Term treat for the Youth Groups at Hollywood Bowl, Cribbs Causeway

• July: a barbeque was hosted at Salthouse Farm for the last time and was attended by church members, family and friends. The Church acknowledged with thanks the many church events held at the Farm over many years

• October: “Marshmallow-een” event for families at ECC

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• November: Quiz Night raising funds for Tearfund

• December: Christmas meals for the Men’s Group and a Church mixed Group

• December: Nativity Fun Hour for families at ECC

Publicity:

• A fortnightly ‘Reflection with diary’ was distributed to church members and friends by email or by hand

• A Christmas Card with church details was distributed to every house in Severn Beach

• The Church has a website www.emmauschurchcentre.org, an email address [e-mail], and a Facebook page ‘emmaus.church.50’.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Some of the highlights of 2022:

Prayer

• May: Leaders and Trustees met for discussion and prayer

• October: Prayer Breakfast for members, trustees and friends of the church

Special Services

• June: A Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service followed by a Barbeque in the church grounds

• June: A baptismal Service was held for 3 adults followed by a lunch at ECC

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

Easter

• April: The Youth Dance Group Easter Show at Salthouse Farm Barn

• April: Easter Day Service on the Sea Wall and afterwards at Emmaus Church Centre and on Zoom

• April: some members attended the Spring Harvest Conference at Minehead

Christmas

o Christmas Eve Service at Emmaus Church Centre and on Zoom

Other Services:

Wedding - none Funeral - none

Annual General Meeting

• The Annual Church Meeting was held on Wednesday 8[th] June at ECC and on Zoom

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Church Weekend Away at Hill House Christian Centre

• September: Church members and Trustees spent a weekend together looking at the theme of ‘The Goodness of God’ and time for socialising

Social Events/Reaching the Community

January to December

• A Youth Dance Group for School Years 6 – 8 (Ages 10 to 13) met once week from September for up to 8 girls. A helper studying Dance and Theatre at WISE is doing her placement with leader Amy who runs her own business ConfiDANCE. A Chill-Out group for boys began in January with table games. Both groups joined together for snacks and fun games at the end of the session

• April: The Dance Group performed at The Stages event at the Trinity Academy

• February: a fund raising event for Western Air Ambulance Service at ECC

• March: Severn Beach School Reception Class visited ECC

• April: Visit to the Bristol North West Foodbank at St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth

• May: Hosted a visit by Bristol International Students to the village and at Salthouse Farm for lunch

• July: Severn Beach Centenary Festival – manning a table raising funds for the Village Hall and promoting the activities of the church for the community

• November: An invitation only toddler group (Pebbles) met from November to December as a trial run by a staff member of Severn Beach Preschool

• Youth Dance Group Christmas Show at ECC

Muller’s Partnership

• The church kept in touch with Muller’s (Bristol), but we did not attend any of the network events this year.

Celebration Partnership

• Emmaus Church supported Regional Celebration Evenings at Woodlands Church, Bristol with regular financial contributions.

Severnside Churche s

• March: Emmaus Church joined in the World Day of Prayer (Severnside area) at St Peter’s Church, Pilning.

• June: Joined with local churches at the Severnside Songs of Praise at Almondsbury Anglican Church

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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 until September and then at the home of a member in the village. This was supplemented with donations from St Peter’s Church, Pilning and was 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.

Charity/Person	Amount
Tearfund – sending relief to where the need is greatest in the wider world (Ukraine)	£1,000
Rwanda Orphans Project – sponsorship of and Christmas gifts to two orphaned young people through SKI, Muller’s	£540
Rwanda Orphans Project – Peter Andrews to support his work in Rwanda	£1,500
Open Doors UK – a charity supported persecuted Christians across the world	£127
In Hope, a charity supporting homeless people in Bristol	£550
India Mission, a charity supporting needy families	£550
Creative Solutions, a charity run by Peter Kay working in Kenya	£1,000
Mission without Borders, for it’s work in Ukraine	£1,000
Ukraine Aid supporting churches in Ukraine	£500

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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:

• Jan to April: A Chosen Life, A Worshipful Life, A Prayerful Life

• April to July: A Disciples Life, A Spirit-filled Life, A Compassionate Life

• August to Dec: Mission, The Life of Old Testament character David

• Children:

• The children under 11 were given their own session with snacks, bible story and activities in a side room for half an hour during the main service, initially once a fortnight and then from September every week.

Sponsorship/Gifts

	Person/Organisation	Amount
Regular Gift	Nationwide Christian Trust, publishers of Living Light daily bible reading notes	£800
Gifts	Visiting speakers, worship leaders and speakers on Zoom	£3,225
Gift	Bristol International Student Centre	£500
Gift	Trevor Ranger, for his work in taking assemblies at schools	£500
Regular Gift	Celebration/TheMix(CityFellowship)	£240

Gifts of knitted hats and gloves for Seafarers, distributed by Steve Loader, Chaplain based at the Seafarers Mission at Portbury/Avonmouth docks.

Annual subscriptions/fees to:

• Evangelical Alliance

• ThirtyOneEight, an independent Christian Safeguarding Charity

• Christians Copyright Licensing International.

• TV Licence

• Christian Vision for Men.

• Blueberry Twist (host of Website)

• Subscription for Zoom Meetings

• BT phone and internet

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2. CHURCH BUILDINGS, GROUNDS and EQUIPMENT in 2022

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

• A person paid to clean the facilities for one and half hours once a week, except during lockdowns

• A person paid to help cut the grass and hedges in the grounds once a fortnight continued through out the summer

Other expenditure:

• Portable electrical appliances were last tested in 2021

• Fire Extinguisher were tested in 2022

• Subscription to API for servicing the audio/visual equipment

• Broadband equipment from BT to facilitate the use of Zoom Meetings App

• Legionnaires Inspection and report followed by subsequent remedial work - Aritius

• Asbestos Inspection and report – no remedial work necessary – Zephyr

• Carpet cleaning – Bonne Fresh

• Car park tarmac repairs – A&T Bristol

• Boarding in loft to facilitate access to water tank – JM Molyneux

• Five years electrical test and remedial work – Mesk Electrical

• Kitchen plumbing repair – R.E.D Plumbing

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3. PLANS FOR 2023 (and beyond)

A: Individuals

• We will look to strengthen and diversify the leadership team so that it will be less reliant on any one leader and make future succession planning easier.

• We will prayerfully discern, support and encourage the use of individual gifting within the membership of the church so that we are all playing to our God given strengths.

• Continue to develop Home Group and Key Ministry Team Leaders.

• Establish a process for discipleship.

• Continue with small support groups meeting at the church building or on Zoom.

• Identify and appoint an administrator – volunteer or paid.

B: Church

• Encourage and resource the vision within the church.

• We will build on the already ongoing caring and sharing work which has been a valuable characteristic of Emmaus Church’s warmth and friendliness.

• Facilitate an Alpha Course

• We will select the teaching material based on the needs of the church and its vision for the future. We will focus on discipleship and building faith through home groups, prayer partners, mentoring and training.

• Seek to appoint a prayer ministry team and training.

• Seek to re-launch the Sunday Breakfast Club for young families

• Develop young parent and family events.

• Create a Drop in for older people during the economic crisis.

• Maintain and review Emmaus’ Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Recruitment with guidance from ThirtyEightOne and take part in relevant training

• Continue with the Muller’s Church Partnership and Celebration Partnership.

• Network with Aust Evangelical Church and other Severnside Churches.

• Comply with the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018

• Comply with Health and Safety and Covid19 Risk Assessments.

• Seek to update our social media sites; Facebook, the website, provide regular blogs which reach people who use these forms of communication a lot and identify a person with appropriate skills to manage these sites.

• Organise a Leader’s Day Away.

• Organise a Baptismal Service when required.

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C: Community

• Develop contacts with the local community e.g. pre-school, and continue to develop the contact with the local school, residential care home and village hall and festival committee

• Develop contact with the emergency Temporary Housing at Ableton Lane.

• Consider initiatives such as “Open the Book” school assembly resources and “Prayer for Schools” when a team can be identified.

• Make contact with Pilning C of E Primary School

• Re-launch ‘Holiday at Home’ for those who do not/cannot go away on holiday.

• Consider running a Parenting Course and First Aid Course.

• Plan events to which visitors and contacts can be invited, especially using the opportunities given by local and national events (e.g. Coronation Celebrations)

• Continue to support missions both home and abroad.

• Seek to improve the engagement of church friends and partners through prayer breakfasts, courses and online training.

D: Building

• General repairs to the building

• Improve entrance of the building with new front doors

• Install a new hot water system as the existing one is not efficient

• Tests for small electrical equipment and fire extinguishers

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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.

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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 £36,792.

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.

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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 31st December 2022.

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: 4[th] May 2023

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EMMAUS CHURCH

Receipts & Payments Account Year Ended 31 December 2022

RECEIPTS

RECEIPTS
	Unrestricted	Designated	Totals	Totals
	Funds	Fund	2022	2021
	£	£	£	£
Collections and general gifts	4,808	300	5,108	6,368
Gift Aid donations	22,221	-	22,221	23,374
Rent	750	-	750	385
Event income	470	-	470	170
Deposit account interest	811	-	811	828
Gift Aid refunds	5,844	-	5,844	4,863
Outreach	34	-	34	-
Teaching and training	1,190	-	1,190	-
	36,128	300	36,428	35,988
PAYMENTS
Gifts to Christian work & missionary	7,467	300	7,767	9,204
Gifts to speakers	3,135	-	3,135	2,320
Gifts to musicians	40	-	40	-
Staff costs	3,989	-	3,989	3,319
Outreach	1,154	-	1,154	902
Teaching and training	2,992	-	2,992	911
Repairs and renewals	3,280	-	3,280	(50)
Accountant and Independent Examiner	900	-	900	780
Utilities	2,084	-	2,084	1,244
Church cleaning & maintenance	3,508	-	3,508	2,455
Insurance	1,290	-	1,290	1,195
Membership/subs/licences	1,530	-	1,530	1,675
Stationery, publishing, printing & advertising	967	-	967	1,060
Miscellaneous expenses	59	-	59	69
Musical materials & equipment	735	-	735	-
	33,130	300	33,430	25,084
Surplus of payments over receipts	2,998	-	2,998	10,904
Balance as at 1 January 2022	81,038	127	81,165	70,261
Balance as at 31 December 2022	84,036	127	84,163	81,165
Represented by:
Cash and bank balances	84,036	127	84,163	81,165

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EMMAUS CHURCH

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2022

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	2022 £ 8,349 28,427 22,371 25,000 16 84,163 84,163 1,080	2021 £ 16,162 17,661 22,326 25,000 16
		81,165
		81,165
		900

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 4th May 2023.

S J Miller