OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Emmaus Church

2024-12-31-accounts

EMMAUS CHURCH

Gorse Cover Road, Severn Beach, Bristol BS35 4NP

Reg. Charity No. 1059742

TRUSTEES REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees Report for 2024

This report provides a summary of the activities of the church during 2024, the accounts for year ending 31st December 2024 and plans for 2025.

Approved at a Trustees meeting on 1[st] May 2025

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

____ S J Miller

Summary of Emmaus Church during 2024

Emmaus Church is an independent body, registered as a charity (No 1059742) on 12th Dec. 1996. The governing document is the Trust Deed dated 21[st] November. 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 seven trustees:

The church was led by a Leadership Team

A person may be appointed to the Trusteeship by a Resolution passed by the Leadership Team and a memorandum of such Resolution signed by the chairperson of the meeting and attested by two persons present.

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

“The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrines set out the first schedule hereto and the worship of God in the said county and elsewhere by any means whatsoever including (but not by way of limitation) the preaching and proclamation of the Christian gospel and the teaching of Christian doctrine and principles and the pastoral care of Christian people and the printing and distribution of the bible and Christian literature.”

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 (apart from JM Molyneux’ involvement) with time and money given by church members and a treasurer administers the finances. For details of other objects and related activities, see the Appendix.

During 2024, the church continued to support Christian work at home and abroad. See Appendix for more details.

The pattern of services is as follows

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

2023 2024 Increase/Decrease
Income £43,639 £41,930 -£1,709

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.

2023 2024 Increase/Decrease
Gift Aid Refund £5,555 £6,808 +£1,253

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.

The church has a loan account with Green Pastures (a charity that provides accommodation for the homeless).

Rent Income from other groups using ECC 2024

o

Expenditure for 2024 was .

Year 2023 2024 Increase/Decrease
Expenditure £49,515 £45,173 -£4,342
Gifts to other Christian
work		 £8,142 £6,161 -£1,981
Gifts to lay preachers £2,640 £2,200 -£440

During the year there was a deficit of £3,243 which reduced reserves to £75,044 at the year end.

Address for correspondence:

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

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 2024

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 Services were the main church activity including worship, prayer, interviews, Christian teaching and preaching with a separate group for children 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 and representatives from Emmaus’ chosen charities were invited to share the responsibility of teaching and preaching supplemented with speakers from the congregation.

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

Leaders’ meetings

o The Leadership Team met fortnightly on Monday evenings on ‘Google Meet’

Mid-week Groups

Church socials:

Publicity:

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Some of the highlights of 2024:

Prayer

Easter

Harvest

Christmas

Other Services

o Funeral: Thanksgiving service for church member Edgar Ringham at ECC

Annual General Meeting

o The Annual Church Meeting was held on Wednesday 19[th] June at ECC

Social Events/Reaching the Community

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 the home of a member living in Severn Beach and were regularly delivered to the North West Bristol Avonmouth Hub. Harvest Thanksgiving food donations were also delivered to the Foodbank.

Bristol North West Foodbank Hub/Listening Cafe met once a week at ECC supported by the staff of the Avonmouth Hub.

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 2024
Tearfund – sending relief to where the need is greatest in the wider world
(Ukraine)		 £500
Rwanda Orphans Project – sponsorship of and Christmas gifts to two
orphaned young people through SKI, Muller’s		 £480
Rwanda Orphans Project – Peter Andrews to support his work in
Rwanda		 £1,000
Open Doors UK – a charity supported persecuted Christians across the
world		 £580
In Hope, a charity supporting homeless people in Bristol £1,100
India Mission, a charity supporting needy families £650
Bristol North West Foodbank £500
Designated Giving £471

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 Bible based teaching as follows:

Children:

and activities in a side room for half an hour during the main service.

Local Schools:

Sponsorship/Gifts

Person/Organisation 2024
Regular Gift Nationwide Christian Trust, publishers of Living Light
daily bible reading notes		 £800
Gifts Visiting speakers and worship leaders £2,200
Gift Steve Loader, Chaplain to Seafarers at Port of Bristol £300
Gift Trevor Ranger, for his work in taking assemblies at
primary schools		 £580
Regular Gift Celebration/The Mix (City Fellowship) £240

Gifts of knitted hats and gloves were given to Steve Loader, Padre to Seafarers and given to seafarers at Port of Bristol.

Annual subscriptions/fees to:

2. CHURCH BUILDINGS, GROUNDS & EQUIPMENT IN 2024

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

Other expenditure:

3. PLANS FOR 2025 (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 free reserves at the year-end were £74,907 (2023: £78,150).

Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding is constantly being monitored, revised and updated. Carol Miller is the coordinator. Emmaus Church is registered with Thirtyone:eight, an independent Safeguarding charity, ref 2021 that offers advice, support and training. 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 biannually. 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.

12 people obtained Food Hygiene and Safety Certificates, Level 1 or Level 2.

Related Party Transactions

Sam Marsh, Jacqueline Conrade-Faul, and Luke Addison were trustees of the charity during the year. It is standard practice for Emmaus Church visiting preachers to be remunerated £80 to cover expenses. During the year:

Rob Scott-Cook, who preached once in the previous year, stepped down as a trustee in May 2023.

This remuneration is allowed under the charity’s constitution.

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 2024.

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: 1[st] May 2025

EMMAUS CHURCH

Receipts & Payments Account Year Ended 31 December 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
RECEIPTS
Unrestricted Designated Totals Totals
Funds Fund 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Collections and general gifts 5,167 471 5,638 6,795
Gift Aid donations 23,367 - 23,367 27,233
Rent 1,007 - 1,007 1,050
Event income 1,385 - 1,385 1,136
-
Deposit account interest 1,930 1,930 1,287
Gift Aid refunds 6,808 - 6,808 5,555
- -
Teaching and training 1,795 1,795
Miscellaneous Income - - - 583
41,459 471 41,930 43,639
PAYMENTS
Gifts to Christian work & missionary 5,690 471 6,161 8,142
-
Gifts to speakers 2,200 2,200 2,640
Staff costs 17,961 - 17,961 17,061
Outreach 1,182 - 1,182 1,904
Teaching and training 3,163 - 3,163 826
-
Repairs and renewals 1,903 1,903 5,570
-
Accountant and Independent Examiner 1,776 1,776 1,866
Utilities 2,799 - 2,799 2,546
-
Church cleaning & maintenance 2,618 2,618 2,671
Insurance 1,571 - 1,571 1,480
-
Membership/subs/licences 1,500 1,500 1,787
Stationery, publishing, printing & advertising 895 - 895 749
Miscellaneous expenses - - - 536
-
Musical materials & equipment 1,444 1,444 1,737
44,702 471 45,173 49,515
-
Surplus of payments over receipts (3,243) (3,243) (5,876)
Balance as at 1 January 2023 78,150 137 78,287 84,163
Balance as at 31 December 2024 74,907 137 75,044 78,287
Represented by:
Cash and bank balances 74,907 137 75,044 78,287
----- End of picture text -----

EMMAUS CHURCH

Statement of Assets and Liabilities Year Ended 31 December 2024

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		 2024
£
4,015
22,397
23,616
25,000
16
75,044
75,044
1,254		 2023
£
4,187
26,366
22,718
25,000
16
78,287
78,287
1,170

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 1st May 2025.

S J Miller