Epworth Baptist Church
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 Registered Charity No: 1060523
Principal Address: Station Road Epworth North Lincolnshire DN91JZ Trustees: C. Todd (Treasurer) Lesley Wilson Ann Lane (elected September 2021) Sue Maule (elected September 2021) Claire Brown (elected September 2021) Independent Examiner: Joyce Gail Priestley Coverdale, King Edward Street, Belton, Doncaster DN9 1QN Principal bankers: HSBC Market Place Epworth
The Trustees present their report with the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees are appointed through an open and public process by the church members meeting to be responsible for the governance of the church. Trustees, except for the Minister, are appointed for an initial three-year term and serve so long as they have the support of the church members' meeting. They have the opportunity to be nominated for re-appointment at the end of each three year term.
The Trustees, who form the Leadership Team, control, manage and administer the church, subject to any specific or general directions from the church members' meeting. The Minister (when in post), who is also a Trustee, takes responsibility for the implementation of direction set by the Leadership Team and in addition, each member of the Leadership Team has responsibility for a particular area of the church's work. There are also other volunteers involved in the activities of the church.
The trustees during the year were those listed above.
The Epworth Baptist Church operates under clauses 4 to 22 of a scheme of the Charity Commissioners for the regulation of Wolverhampton Baptist Church, this being imposed by the Charity Commission by an order sealed 31/05/1 935.
It is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the East Midlands Baptist Association is trustee of the Church.
Objectives : The Church exists for the worship of God, the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and for the deepening of the spiritual life of Christians; the doctrinal position is based on a belief in the inspiration and authority of the bible. Baptism is of believers and by immersion. It has a congregational form of government, to whom the trustees are directly responsible and meetings are on a quarterly basis for the conducting of business. The Annual General Meeting is held in January each year
The principal purpose is to advance the Christian faith as well as to advance education and to carry out other charitable activities. The church's vision is to extend the kingdom of God through its members loving God, loving one another and loving the community of the Isle of Axholme.
Grants are made as directed by the donor or where the Leadership Team considers the payment would further the objectives of the church.
Review of activities and future developments in the context of the objectives, the following achievements show how the vision to extend the kingdom of God has come to life.
| Congregations | Looking out into the communities around us - to make church more relevant and |
|---|---|
| accessible to the wider community. | |
| Alongside regular weekly Sunday services, we continue with Prayer and Bible study | |
| meetings, Thursday coffee group, Friday sewing ladies, an Easter and a Christmas | |
| Craft Evening with demonstrations and kits so participants could try each craft. We | |
| also held Christmas services including a Nativity with Christingle and Carols by | |
| Candlelight. | |
| Celebrations | Worshipping God in a way that is culturally relevant holding Special services |
| including Good Friday service and Walk of Witness, Easter Sunday Service, Family | |
| Services, Carol service, Christmas morning service and other special celebrations | |
| including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration Afternoon Tea. | |
| Care | The Pastoral Team ensures the welfare of EBC members/friends and regularly |
| contacts those who are missing from church and makes home visits. | |
| Children | Continuing to provide activities for young people from 0 to 15 provided through |
| children’s groups during the Sunday Service and a Mums and Toddler group once a | |
| week during term times. | |
| Compassion | Working alongside Scunthorpe Foodbank, under the Trussell Trust, the EBC |
| Foodbank supports families on the Isle sharing food parcels to those in the | |
| community in a time of crisis. We saw an increase in the number of food parcels | |
| requested by local families, couples and single people in need this year. At | |
| Christmas the foodbank donated Christmas Hampers to these households including | |
| a supply of meat vouchers. fresh vegetables and fruit. Senior Citizens also received | |
| Christmas Hampers. | |
| During the present economic crisis we agreed as a church to respond to the | |
| governments Warm Spaces initiative by opening the church weekly to local families | |
| in January 2023. | |
| We continue to support Compassion UK - currently sponsoring children in various | |
| countries. | |
| We are involved in local outreach to meet the needs of the local community by our | |
| involvement in Epworth Christians Together with other local churches. |
Teaching
Alongside a message on Sunday mornings, weekly bible study groups have been meeting on a Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. All Church services, prayer meetings and bible studies continue to be held in the church building.
Minister:
Without a minister the five trustees continue to manage all church life, inviting visiting speakers for each Sunday Service or having in house services.
Financial Review 2022
Available cash reserves (general fund) totalled £13,139 at the year end with the bank savings account at £5027; the ministry/building fund (EMB Trust Co account) had an end of year balance of £33,921, slightly up on last year as a result of interest received and no funds drawn down.
Investment strategy - the Ministry/building fund held by the EMBTC is mainly placed in medium low risk stocks, shares and bonds, to enable higher returns on this larger amount. The Church continues to retain a reserve fund of £16,000 within this savings account in order to meet an unforeseen emergency in the church e.g. unexpected large repair bill.
Receipts
Church giving in the weekly Offertory and Monthly Standing Order Donations totalled £18260, down £10000 compared to 2021. This reduction was due to some members not returning after the pandemic and members life situations/circumstances changing. The church is fortunate that much of these receipts are given by monthly Standing Order. Gift Aid reclaimed from HMRC was £2970 slightly down on last year as a result of the impact of Covid on giving. The church continued to receive regular donations for the foodbank from members of the public, the local Foodshare project and the Lions organisation which makes donations to charity projects.
Expenditure in 2022 :
Costs remained stable during the year with a long-term utility contract ensuring the fuel costs have not increased significantly. The majority of this year’s expenditure covers the cost of running the church building and operating costs for the activities of the church including financial donations to visiting speakers for Sunday services. With no employed minister this year, expenditure has been significantly reduced. There was also a reduction in payment towards the Baptist Union pension deficit. This year’s foodbank expenditure covered costs for additional items for Christmas hampers distributed to families in need.
Trustee payments : The church had no paid employees for the year. The lease and other costs for the manse being in the name of the church meant it could not be given up until May of 2022 and the landlord agreed the church could continue with the lease until then. The church continued to pay the incurred charges which have been reimbursed by the minister who left in September 2021.
Charity Giving: The church has given £4022 to other causes and charities. This is an increase of the previous year due to a substantial reduction in the Baptist Union Pension deficit. These charities include Baptist Home Mission, BMS World Mission, other local and national Christian charities and two couples on mission working in South Africa and Zambia – these are well known to the church as they were previous attendees at EBC.
Across all church accounts there was a surplus of £11,261 reported at the year-end which compares very favourably with the deficit of past years, £1000 of this amount is designated for the work of the foodbank as donations received. The resignation of the minister in September 2021 leaves the church in a more favourable financial position.
For 2023 the expected income is £30,000 consistent with the previous year due to the smaller numbers of regular attendees and ongoing church activities. Forecast expenditure is a conservative £20,032, giving a positive outcome of £9,968 for the year to December 2023.
At this time the church acknowledges the regular monthly giving by Standing Order by the majority of its members, for which it is very grateful. Alongside these and the weekly service offertory, other church run activities receive small donations adding to church funds. All these provide for a more profitable position for the church and allows money to be put aside for the possibility of a new minister in the future.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and complied with section 17 (6) of the 2011 Charities Act when reviewing the aims and objectives prior to planning and developing activities.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charily and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, they are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and governing document of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
(On behalf of the Trustees)
Dated: 31/05/2023
Deacon
EPWORTH BAYfIsT CItURCH FtNANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 FINAL GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENfs ACCOUNT 2022 2021 Reteipts: Offertory Gaft Aid Offertory 3.480.55 14.780.00 1992.00 25J96.00 6.797.00 2.97125 Patchwort & Sewing group, Orchestra DonattODS (2022) Donions and oth¢r Èncome in¢ PSP etc Gifts for other causes- not foodbank Gifts for Ott causes. F()odballk Financial doDtQDS Miscellaneous - ia¢ suce claim 1261.(X) 337.50 663.(K) 80.CN) 1.169.67 5.93053 Non¢ 282.00 1,845.00 1.693.00 Mis¢ella]eOfj {Maose tharges iepaid by AW) Totsi R¢ceKpts 1451.00 32,707.00 41,6SL50 Paymmts: 14.047.83 Upkeep of ¢hurcb premxses Mission- inc Chwity giving bth not Èncludmg Foodb• Mi5SSOD Foodbank expenses Administrthon irtG IT and AV Miscellaneous 4.071.00 4.451.00 4,926.00 2J29.00 732.00 627334 1345.80 2,843.40 1.139.39 405.88 Tot41 Payments 26.055 Trat)sfrrs {in¢ trfto Savings less Rec at dosure of Wagts AIC) Batance brought forw Blnce oirried forwxrd 5,011.88 6.884.99 9,820.C 1.078.13 11139.11 HSBC WAGES ACCOUNT 2022 2021 Total Receipts Payments: Net Salary + HMRC 10.790.84 30.15 Totsl PayzTrents iOS2O.99 Trxllsfers to C*rrent Atcts4nt BaJaDce brought forwdrd Balance carried forw#rd- Ateount closed 3.12 8.12 10320.00 509.11 &12 Totsl (geDerakntse5) SurplMs/defi¢it for the yur Taking itito afcouut UDSP¢nt donatioTh$ frorn foodbaBk 11261.0 1O35&47 IJ4U7
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS l. These accounts have been prepared on a eIpts & basis and accord with cl111 Act 2011. 2. TnL8tee payments: No Fairnst for a Pastorthis year. Non.molletsry ass¢ts held for the thurch's OlTrD Se. The church is the bLefiCIal owner (5ubj¢rt to th¢ relevantkn) ofthe following &ts:. Church E>remises and burial le8al title held by the church's custlxlian tn]st¢¢ (East Mxdlands Baptist AssocÈation). Values for ltt%umce increased by 8Y• yearto Sept 2022 2022 {£) 2021 {£) 2022 {£) 2021 (£) 4. DoDatiDns & other intome 7. Mission PSP & Pwer Space5 Donions for building mise Patchwo & Sewing DOD 663.00 80.00 Youth work 84.81 70.00 4.926.IKI 1843.40 970.00 337.50 Other 285.00 100.00 221.00 NIL 2021 Giving Fraid in 2022 1.932.00 NIA 41750 2022 part of gifts to charittes ** 2 162.00 161.00 18921 S. MIDtry Pension 8. Administrathn 1281.00 5,024.69 Printinglststionerylsundries Telephoneltntemet 8.973.14 Sub5criptioDS & fe 50.00 Book& pub]ieation5 047ts3 rr *•• 242.00 275.60 Expenses 258.00 261.58 2.451.(Kl 272.00 349.75 00.00 195.00 3100 720.00 4.79 Musi4 AV *** 532.00 247.67 Bank Charges iio.o NIL 29.1)0 1139J9 6. Upkeep of church prembes Electricity & Gas 1548. 1.182.28 9. HSBC Ale 71.00 406.43 Reteipts: IDter¢st 1.025.64 Trnf¢rs 4.31 1.080.00 5.015.00 ZERO Maintenance & renewals (inc Weekly Cleaning) 1572.00 3 658.99 Balan¢x brought flwd 7.32 071.00 7J2 . FoodbaDk Punbases Payments made to top up FINXIb& supplies to ettsure it can meet demand. £3658 of this surn was S on th¢ 85 Chrftsts) Hazuper5 given out including Meat vouchers & Fresh Veg & eggs ** Gtven to other causes (Mssiou) The Annual Giving iDcludes month]y donations to Compa&sion ehijd SPOEwTship progrwnrn ch Mission payments to Iall & Alison Richard in Zambia and Dawn & Frdser Jackson In South Afriea The Deacons have approved a fithts £1900.00 to be made in Annual GiviEtg to the church's reguIarchafitics This tskesthe annual givillg at EBC to £4062. £9(M) of this sum is equivalent to a r¢du¢tion of the Pension Deficit
IT & Music and AV rr. These costs ineknded a new laptop to alli)w improvtsl presentation on the Church OveTbea Music. r¢nMI of CCLI Lieellces and purchase of new Song Pro to bm8 it up to date.
PAGE 2 2022 2021 BANKACCOIINT ADMfNISTERED BY EMB TRUST CO (restrIrtj Receipts:Intere51 1.147.09 1.184.60 P8ymeJtts: None None B81anee brougbtforward 31774.01 31589.41 Bl#n¢e carried forward 33.921.10 32.774.01 STATEMEiYf OF ASSETS ANL D LJABILrrIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 IVO 2022 MONETARY ASSETS: 13.138.78 6.884.98 HSBC Wages Acwwt 8.12 HSBC Bustnw AUnt 5.026.63 7.32 Account adininistered by EMB Trrtst Co (R¢strÈ¢ted) 33.921.10 31774.01 5.00 Tt)t#l Cash B81gntts S2,11151 3979A3 NOI¥-MONETARY ASSETS: Held for chur¢h's own use 965.1)48.00 893.563.00 FIXti fillDitut¢ & ffjuipment (iLsurancR va]ue) 50.791.00 47,029.(10 Tht atcollDts and statement ofa55ets and Jixbtlits set out ojt Wdges l & 2 relating to the y¢areBdiDg 31 De£ember2022 4r¢ As *pproved by the Deacons
Independent Examinerfs report to the Trustees of The Epworth Baptist Churth Trust I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2022, which are set out on Pages I to 2. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner- The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charivs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under settion 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility as Independent Examinerto: examine the accounts undersection 145 of the 2011 Att; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151(b) of the 2011 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of Independent Examinerfs 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 chartty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual ttem5 or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming 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 Examinerfs Statement: In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 11) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respert the requirements= to keep accounting records in accordan wrth section 130 of the 2011 Att: and to Prepa accounts which accord wtth the accounting records and 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. Name: Address: Date: