## **Epworth Baptist Church** 

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Registered Charity No: 1060523 

Principal Address: Station Road Epworth North Lincolnshire DN91JZ 

Trustees: C. Todd (Treasurer) Lesley Wilson Ann Lane Jeremy Cole (elected July 2023) Sue Maule (resigned April 2023) Claire Brown (resigned April 2023) 

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 2023 

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 reappointment 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 has been held in January each year however a decision at a church meeting this year agreed to change this to April for future years. 

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.  We have started to have shared services and meetings with members of a local House Church which has included a Prophecy Meeting and a full immersion baptism 

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. A quiz evening was held to support The Leprosy Mission. 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 special celebrations including Baptisms, two weddings and services to share the work of Christian charities supported by the church 

- 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 as needed and through Pre-School Praise,  a Mums and Toddler group which runs once a week during term times. 

- Compassion Working alongside Scunthorpe Foodbank, under the Trussell Trust, the EBC Food Bank supports families on the Isle sharing food parcels to those in the community in a time of crisis. We have seen an increase in the number of food parcels requested by couples and single people alongside families 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 in sheltered accommodation also received Christmas Hampers. During the present economic crisis we agreed as a church to respond to the government's Warm Spaces initiative by opening the church weekly to local families from 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. We invited an external speaker to hold a teaching day in September. All Church services, prayer meetings and bible studies continue to be held in the church building. 



## Minister: 

Without a minister there are now four trustees that continue to manage all church life, inviting visiting speakers for each Sunday Service or having in house services. 

## **Financial Review 2023** 

Available cash reserves (general fund) totalled £4440 at the year end with the bank savings account at £5100; the trust account run by EMB Trust was closed in March 2023 and the church funds transferred to Baptist Union Corporation Savings Accounts which across all accounts had an end of year balance of £56418.  This is an increase on previous years as a result of income exceeding expenditure, partly due to the church having no ministerial costs. It was agreed that any excess in the General bank account should also be invested if not required for the day to day running costs of the church. 

Investment strategy – one of the Baptist Union Corporation savings accounts is a fixed term account, the others are more easily accessible.  Church members agreed to invest £38,000 in this Fixed Term account which is equivalent to the current annual salary and expenses for a minister.  This fixed term rate matures at the end of October 2024 when the investment will be reviewed again, allowing the church to build up funds to sustain a future project or for a minister. 

## **Receipts** 

Church giving in the weekly Offertory and Monthly Standing Order Donations totalled £21,400, an increase of over £3000 compared to 2022. This increase was due to an increase in members paying by monthly standing order, rather than through the cash offertory providing stable and regular income for the church.. Gift Aid reclaimed from HMRC was £3320, an increase due to the higher monthly receipts. The church continues to receive regular donations for the foodbank from members of the public and the local Foodshare project. 

## **Expenditure in 2023** : 

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. There have been a few higher renewal costs this year to improve insulation and running costs with a new door and LED lighting throughout.  With no employed minister, the church invites visiting speakers on a regular basis who are given a small financial donation towards expenses. The Baptist Union Pension deficit has been taken over by a new investor and therefore the church only pays a nominal monthly sum to this debt now.  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 minister this year.  In August 2023, by agreement of the members, the church took on a part time administration assistant to help and support the Trustees with the weekly running of the church.  This person is a church member but not a trustee and is employed for 40 hours per month. 

## **Charity Giving:** 

The church has given £4160 to other causes and charities. This is similar to last year’s giving.  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 and keep in regular contact. 

Across all church accounts there was a surplus of £6131 reported at the year-end which is down on last year’s surplus, due to the church improvements outlined above and the employment of the admin assistant. 

For 2024 the expected income is around £33,000, a slight increase on 2023 as regular attendees continue to support the church. Forecast expenditure is around £31,000 based on last year’s costs and additional cost to replace the church’s overhead projector that proved irreparable at the end of December.  The resulting surplus is forecast to be around £1000 plus interest from the savings accounts for the year to December 2024. 

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: 24/04/2024 

Deacon 



## EPWORTH BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 

## Final Accounts 

## GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Note|2023|(£)|2022|(£)|
|Receipts:|
|Offertory|3,686.17|3,480.55|
|Monthly Standing Order Giving inc Gift Aid Offertory|17,710.00|14,780.00|
|Income tax recovered as Gift Aid|3,322.50|2,971.25|
|Patchwork & Sewing|group, Orchestra Donations|4|1,490.00|1,261.00|
|Donations and other income inc PSP|etc|A|1,136.50|663.00|
|Gifts|for other causes|- non|foodbank|1,278.10|1,169.67|
|Gifts|for other causes|- Foodbank|Financial|donations|2,939.50|5,930.53|
|Miscellaneous Receipts|-|None|
|Miscellaneous|(Manse charges repaid by AW)|NIL|2,451.00|
|Total Receipts|31,562.77|32,707.00|
|Payments:|
|Ministry|inc Preacher Expenses/Admin|Assist & Pension|Deficit|5|4,247.00|4,932.00|
|Upkeep of|church premises|6|7,965.39|4,071.00|
|Mission|-|inc Charity giving but not including Foodbank|7|6,081.33|4,451.00|
|Mission|- Foodbank expenses|7|3,773.91|4,926.00|
|Administration|inc IT and AV|8|2,109.96|2,329.00|
|Miscellaneous|-|inc First Aid Training,|Lunches & sharing events|1,083.98|732.00|
|Total Payments|25,261.57|21,441.00|
|Total Surplus or Deficit for the year|6,301.20|11,261.00|
|Taking|into account unspent donations|from foodbank|6,131.08|10,256.47|
|HSBC|Current|Account|
|Transfers (from Current Acct to Savings|- new BU accounts|in 2023)|-|15,000.00|-|5,011.88|
|Balance brought forward|13,138.78|6,884.66|
|Balance|in Current Account carried forward|4,439.98|13,138.78|
|HSBC|Savings Account|
|Receipts|-|Interest|for the year|@|1.95%|75.05|431|
|Transfers|in/out|from or to Bank Current Account|5,015.00|
|Balance Brought Forward from previous year|5,026.63|7.32|
|Balance in HSBC Savings Account carried forward|5,101.68|5,026.63|
|BANK ACCOUNT ADMINISTERED BY EMB TRUST CO|(restricted)|
|Receipts:|Interest at closure|7,117.00|1,147.09|
|Payment of Dividend|at closure|169.61|
|Transfers|None|
|Balance brought forward|33,921.10|32,774.01|
|Balance transferred|to BU Corporation|Savings accounts & closed|41,207.71|33,921.10|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




PAGE 2 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Church Savings/Contingency|Accounts|2023 (£)|2022 (£)|
|Interest|
|BAPTIST UNION CORPORATION Accounts|(from 2023)|Rate|
|One Year Fixed Term Account (opened|1/11/2023)|5%|38,000.00|
|3 Month Notice Account|(from 3/11/23)|4.50%|9,000.00|
|Interest|accrued|to|31/12/23|67.44|
|1|Month Notice Account (from 22/11/23)|3.75%|6,000.00|
|Interest accrued|to 31/12/23|28.15|
|7 Day Notice Account (from 26/09/23)|- Transfer from EMBA A/C|41,207.71|
|Less Amount transferred|to One Year Fixed term (above)|-|38,000.00|
|Interest|accrued|to 31/12/23|2.50%|115.10|
|Balance in BU|Corporation|Savings|carried forward|56,418.40|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Note|2023|(£)|2022 (£)|
|MONETARY|ASSETS:|
|General|Account|4,439.98|13,138.78|
|HSBC|Business Savings Account|5,101.68|5,026.63|
|Accounts administered by BU Corporation (Savings)|18,418.40|33,921.10|
|Accounts|administered by BU|Corporation (Fixed Term to 31/10/24)|38,000.00|
|Cash|in hand|18.75|25.00|
|Total Cash|Balances|65,978.81|§2,111.51|
|NON-MONETARY|ASSETS:|Held|for church's own|use|
|Church|Premises|including the Burial Ground (insurance value)|a|1,005,270.00|965,048.00|
|Includes Public|Liability on|all|Church|Property and Employer Liability|Insurance|
|Fixtures,|Furniture & Equipment (insurance value)|52,908.00|50,791.00|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## ee 

The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out on pages 1 & 2 relating to the year ending 31 December 2023 are as approved by the Deacons 

Signed: 

Date: 



## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 

1. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011. 

|NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSTO THE ACCOUNTSTHE ACCOUNTSACCOUNTS<br>1. These accounts have been prepared on aThese accounts have been prepared on aaccounts have been prepared on ahave been prepared on abeen prepared on aprepared on aon aa receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.|NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSTO THE ACCOUNTSTHE ACCOUNTSACCOUNTS<br>1. These accounts have been prepared on aThese accounts have been prepared on aaccounts have been prepared on ahave been prepared on abeen prepared on aprepared on aon aa receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.|NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSTO THE ACCOUNTSTHE ACCOUNTSACCOUNTS<br>1. These accounts have been prepared on aThese accounts have been prepared on aaccounts have been prepared on ahave been prepared on abeen prepared on aprepared on aon aa receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.|NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTSTO THE ACCOUNTSTHE ACCOUNTSACCOUNTS<br>1. These accounts have been prepared on aThese accounts have been prepared on aaccounts have been prepared on ahave been prepared on abeen prepared on aprepared on aon aa receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.|receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.2011.|receipts & payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.& payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.payments basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.basis and accord with Charities Act 2011.and accord with Charities Act 2011.accord with Charities Act 2011.Charities Act 2011.Act 2011.2011.||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2.Trusteepayments:NopaymentsforaPastorin2023.Aug23employedP/TAdmin Assistant(40||||(40hrspermonth)|||
|3.Non-monetaryassetsheldforthechurch'sownuse:Thechurch isthebeneficialowner(subjecttotherelevanttrusts)of<br>thefollowingassets:-Churchpremisesandburialground- legaltitleheldbythe church'scustodiantrustee(EastMidlands<br>BaptistAssociation).ValuesforInsuranceincreasedby8%,yeartoSept2023|||||||
|2023|(£)|2022(£)||2023(£)|2022(£)|(£)|
|4.Donations&otherincome|||7. Mission||||
|PSP&PrayerSpaces<br>Donationsforbuildinguse|536.50<br>600.00|663.00<br>70.00|Youthwork<br>Foodbankpurchases **|391.13<br>3,773.91||72.00<br>4,926.00|
|Patchwork&SewingDon|895.00|970.00|Donationsfromfundraisingevents|1,525.00||285.00|
|OrchestraDonation|595.00<br>2,626.50|221.00<br>1,924.00|2022Givingpaidin2023<br>2023partofgiftstocharities***|2,550.00<br>1,615.20||1,932.00<br>2,162.00|
|||||9,855.24||9,377.00|
|5.Ministry|||8.Administration||||
|Pension(Deficitonly)|12.00|1,281.00|Printing/stationery/sundries|400.66||242.00|
|Expenses<br>Manseexpenses|NIL<br>NIL|0.00<br>2,451.00|Telephone/Internet<br>Subscriptions&fees (BUGB)|402.85<br>164.80||258.00<br>272.00|
|Preacherexpenses|2350.00|1,200.00|Books,publications|447.62||195.00|
|AdminAssistantCosts|1885.00|NIL|IT ****|325.75||720.00|
||4,247.00|4,932.00|Music,AV (CCLILicences)<br>BankCharges (HSBC)|263.00<br>105.28||532.00<br>110.00|
|||||2,109.96||2,329.00|
|6.UpkeepofChurch Premises|||||||
|Electricity&Gas|905.93|1,348.00|||||
|Water&Drainage|228.30|71.00|||||
|Insurance|1245.08|1,080.00|||||
|Churchcleaning& supplies|1275.40|557.00|||||
|Maintenance& Renewals *|4310.68|1,015.00|||||
||7,965.39|4,071.00|||||



* Maintenance & Renewals: includes replacement window in Old Hall, New LED lighting throughout the building, Fire System service and repairs, Boiler service and Plumbing repairs 

** Foodbank Purchases: - Payments made to top up Foodbank supplies to ensure it can meet demand. £2805 of this sum was spent on the 60 Christmas Hampers provided including Meat vouchers, Fresh Fruit & eggs 

+** Giving to other causes (Mission) 

The Annual Giving includes monthly donations to Compassion child sponsorship programme, 

Church Mission payments to lan & Alison Richardson in Zambia and Dawn & Fraser Jackson in South Africa Members approved a further £2950.00 to be made in Annual Giving to the church's regular charities This takes the annual giving at EBC to £4565. £2160 of this sum is equivalent to a reduction of the Pension Deficit. #*4* [T Costs inc a second laptop specifically to be used in church and new hands free microphone for speakers 



## Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of The Epworth Baptist Church Trust 

| report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31% December 2023, which are set out on Pages 1 to 2. 

## 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 as Independent Examiner to: 

- ® examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; 

- e to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and 

- e 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 statement below. 

## Independent Examiner’s Statement: 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: 

- e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and 

- e to prepare accounts which accord with 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: Joyce Gail Priestley 

Address: Coverdale, King Edward Street, Belton, Nr Doncaster. DN9 1QN 

Date: O5.04 Qo