## **SHEKINAH CHRISTIAN CHURCH TRUST** Trustees Report for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 The Shekinah Christian Church Penzance Trust (Shekinah Christian Church) is constituted by Deed of Trust and is a registered charity, No. 1059804. The Charity address is 13 St James Street, Penzance, Cornwall. The charity trustees during the period were: Nigel Clark – Treasurer Elizabeth (Lib) Fleming Amanda Turner Crispian Blackbourn Simon Longworth-Riggs - Chair The original trustees were appointed at the formation of the charity and new trustees have been appointed by a resolution of the trustees. The objects of the charity are to: - A) advance the Christian faith in Penzance, Cornwall and other parts of the UK or the world. - B) relieve persons who are in hardship or need, and who are aged or sick in Penzance, Cornwall and other parts of the UK or the world. - C) promote and fulfil other charitable purposes beneficial to the community in Penzance, Cornwall and other parts of the UK or the world. The charity is mostly dependent on contributions from its church partners to pay expenses, although amounts are received through Gift Aid refunds and also income from the various groups who access The Shekinah Centre, the building purchased by the church in March 2024. The charity is staffed by: - one full time worker, who has overall responsibility in providing leadership and pastoral care for the members of the church; - one part time worker employed to manage the centre and provide administrative support; - one part time cleaner. During the period of operation the Trustees have endeavoured to improve the support of the workers and will continue to do so as funds allow. During the year the church continued to meet in The Shekinah Centre on a regular basis for teaching, worship and fellowship. The charity has paid for improvements to the internal décor of the building and The Trustees are committed to ensure the Centre is maintained in good order and that remedial works are carried out in a timely way. During the year the Trustees have continued in the process of the charity becoming an incorporated company and the Trustees, mindful that future expansion of the church and the need to secure ownership of property will be best served by incorporation, instructed their Solicitors to action this. It had been anticipated that this process would be completed during now, but delays have prevented this. During the year, the building was purchased by the church and incorporation is still ongoing. Members of the church, that are able, give varying levels of finance which in turn guides the levels of activities of the charity. However, the Designated Fund, where 10% of all unrestricted income is transferred to, has allowed the church to support local community projects, missions work overseas and other aid projects. The fund is supplemented by specific offerings in response to needs identified by the trustees, and also individual gifts. A commitment to the Hope Project and involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, means that finance is focused firstly on these projects before considering other areas of support. However, due to the continued political unrest in the DRC no further visits are planned at the present time. In addition, a bank account processes payments in respect of the Hope Project. This project seeks to provide household items for needy people moving into accommodation, as well as the homeless who are being housed in the West Penwith area. In addition to money from the Designated Fund, the project is financed by gifts from individuals and various fundraising activities. Simon Longworth-Riggs Chair of Trustees 4[th] December 2024 SHEKINAH CHRISTIAN CHURCH PENZANCE TRUST Registered Charity Number 1059804 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Alverton Accountants Chartered Certified Accountants Office Suite 5 Camelot Court Alverton Street Penzance Cornwall TR18 2QN Tel: (01736) 360664 Email: kristin alvertonacGountants.co.uk SHEKINAH CHRISTIAN CHURCH PENZANCE TRUST Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Shekinah Christian Church Penzance Trust. I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31 March 2024, which is set out on pages 2 to 7. Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's 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 to follow the prO￿dureS laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act to 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 Commission. 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 next statement. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 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 to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Relevant professional qualification or body: KRISTIN CAROL SIMMONS ACCA 1299292 Signature: Date: ?