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← Morley Community Church Trust

2024-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT

1 Jan – 31 Dec 2024

MORLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Charity Registration Number 1083023

Correspondence to: Dr Raymond Baker 9 Hill Top Grove West Ardsley Wakefield WF3 1HP

Trustees: Raymond Baker Andrew Dalton Rowan Taylor

We confirm that this report and accounts are an accurate statement of activities and accounts for this year

…………………………………………………………………….. (Trustee)

………………………………………………………….………….. (Trustee)

MORLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2024 for CHARITY COMMISSION

Summary of Objectives

Morley Community Church Trust exists to

(A) To advance the christian faith in West Yorkshire and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfill such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the trust

(B) To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby in West Yorkshire and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world. All the activities by Morley Community Church described in this report fulfill these two objectives and have provided direct benefit to the public.

Public Benefit

The public have benefited through a range of activities and projects that have invited them to develop their spiritual awareness and grow in their understanding of the Christian faith. This has been through Sunday services, bible studies & prayer sessions, pastoral care by leaders and members. Age-related activities have been provided for children, young and older people. All of these activities have been open to the general public, whom we have regularly invited by means of distribution of leaflets, parish magazines, press articles, the church website, social media and display of banners and publicity boards near the church premises. The Christian faith has been shared in both word and deed through a multitude of activities and projects. The church has organized activities and projects often linked with other organizations (other churches, Christian agencies and secular organizations) to achieve this objective. The church is concerned about issues of poverty, deprivation and social justice. It is working to promote community cohesion through innovative social projects and initiatives. The church has been active in providing youth activities for local young people as well as offering support to the elderly in the town. People suffering from hardship, poverty, sickness and distress have been helped in practical ways both in Morley and surrounding area plus other parts of the world. Examples would be gifts of food, parcels, calendars and other items to local poor and elderly people. The church has been able to donate 21 sacks of clothes and bric a brac etc to Leeds City Mission for their Re-Store Charity Shop. Significant quantities of food have been made available to people in need/unemployed people who are struggling to make ends meet either directly through church referrals or to other agencies. A total of 449 supermarket trays of food plus 400 items of fruit have been obtained and distributed in this way. 260 surplus flower bunches have been delivered to scores of different individuals (eg housebound pensioners). Recycled aluminium foil and cans have been recycled and the money raised has been sent to support the work of good causes. 557 used greetings cards were collected and recycled into gift tags. 39 christmas presents were distributed to families in need. The benefit to the public has been recognized by local civic leaders. Full details are found in the various sections in this report.

Please note – throughout this report figures in brackets usually denote the previous years’ (2023) (2022) (2021) (2020), (2019), figures. Statistics indicated by an asterix * represent historical figures for January – March 2020 only (pandemic year).

Morley Community Church is now approaching its silver jubilee. The church was founded in 2000 and over the last quarter of a century has sought to bring the gospel message and practical Christian compassion to the town. This annual report gives a comprehensive overview of all that has happened in 2024 as Morley Community Church has sought to fulfill its calling.

Sunday Services

Most Sunday services have been held in Zion Chapel, Merlyn-Rees Avenue.

There have been 55 (57) (57) (55) worship, devotional and guest services. Four (6) (5) (2) services had a missionary focus, five (5) (5) were special guest services.

Service venues –Zion Chapel– 54 (54), Jubilee Court – 1 (2), (2),

Excluding visiting preachers & their spouses/colleagues & Capernwray bible student team, a total of 196 (248) (222) (122) (54) (95) different adults and 22 (30) (12) (3) (2) (12) teenagers attended these 55 (57) (57) (55) (12) services/events in 2024. The majority of these have been close family or friends who have visited us for an occasional service or people who have responded to an invitation to a special service. Two of these visitors have made Morley Community Church their spiritual home and were regular in their attendance at worship services and other activities by the close of the year. There are approximately 27 people who may be classified as regular worshippers. Current church membership roll is 16 people.

Historically Morley is a white working class town. We have been blessed in 2024 by the presence of people from overseas coming to live in Morley and work in this part of West Yorkshire. Some have identified with Morley Community Church and this is reflected in the composition of attendances at the Sunday worship service. In 2024 76.5% of attendances were white caucasian, 17% were African/Afro-Caribbean, 4.2% were Chinese, 1.2% were Asian and 1.1% other. In 2024 average attendance was 31.5 adults per service. 55% of the services attracted congregations numbering between 26-35 worshippers.

The worship service continued to focus very much on adults. There have been times of open and corporate prayer. The morning worship services have been taken by speakers from other churches as well as members of the congregation. We have also downloaded pre-recorded sermons for five services. There have been three ‘open’ services with people contributing testimony, prayer, scripture etc. These downloads & open services represent 15% of all services during the year. The morning worship services continued to have a varied musical style with accompaniment by a pianist and by others playing violins, guitars, plus vocalists.

There has been a wide variety of passages, topics, missionary and guest services throughout the year. The congregation has enjoyed messages on various themes and topics.

We have had 4 (6) (5) (2) (4) services with mission personnel speaking about their work – Michael Romagnoli (Caring For Life) – 18 February, Paul Linnell (Open Air Mission) 28 April, Claire Newton (Leeds City Mission) 8 September, Rowan Taylor (Barnabas Fund) 27 October.

We also had 5 (5) (5) (3) (1) (5) guest services/events – Spring Event Jubilee Court (3 March) Easter Day Service (31 March), Mayor’s Civic Service (7 July) Remembrance Service (3 November), Carols by Candlelight Service (15 December).

We have been well served by visiting preachers. 20 (22) (17) (10) (17) (22) preachers plus 3 (3) (3) (5) (4) downloaded preachers have taken a total of 28 (29) (30) (22) (22) (34) services between them. These preachers have come from 7 (15) (12) (7) (12) (15) different church groupings/societies & 13 (13) (13) (8) (11) (11) different churches. Our criteria for inviting them has been that they wholeheartedly believe the Bible and are experienced in preaching it! We have enjoyed their ministry enormously and our grateful thanks go to them. There have also been 3 (3) (3) (2) (5) (2) ‘open’ services (7 January, 21 April, 18 August) with an opportunity for people to share a testimony, read scripture, prayer, give a message etc. These have worked well.

The visiting preachers were: George Clayson (Open Air Mission), Capernwray Bible Students x 4, Paul Linnell (Open Air Mission), Mike Morfin (Latimer Congregational, Beverley), Chuck Pietrowski (Berean Baptist, Harrogate) x 2, David Puttick (Mirfield Evangelical Church), Michael Romagnoli (Caring For Life), Paul Crossley (Tinshill Free Church), Thomas Truman (Dewsbury Gospel), Derek Ventress (Birstall Community Church), Peter Prescott (Birstall Community Church), Andy Norris (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Horsforth), Rev Albert Jackson (Dewsbury Church of the Nazarene), Paul Walker (Latimer Congregational Beverley EFCC)x 2, Rev Robert de Berry (St John’s Church, Pewsey), Ian Wilson (St George’s Leeds) x 3, Mark Yeadon (Bridge Community Church), Steve Wright (Beacon Church, Hebden Bridge) x 2, Claire Newton (Leeds City Mission), Ian Goodson (Grace Church, Wakefield).

In addition we have used our own personnel – 7 (9) (6) (5) (6) (7) people have taken 18 (25) (22) (26) (20) (22) services between them as follows –Andy Dalton 3 (6) (5) (17) (5) (4), Ray Baker 2 (2) (4) (3) (4) (3), Rowan Taylor 1 (1)(1)(1)(1)(1), Carl Elliott 4 (2) (3) (4) (2) (6), Joshua Gillen 4 (6) (6), Jonathan Chua – 3 (2), Abraham Amioleman – 1 (1). The church deacons took 18% of services while other lay members of the congregation took a further 15% of the services. In addition there have been 3 (3) (3) (2) (5) (2) open services where people have been able to share, pray, and contribute. Also 5 download services.

We have kept detailed records of attendances and also a record of all songs sung at all services in the year. We have sung a total of 155 (150) (172) (138) (138) different hymns and songs in 2024 of which 13 (16) (16) (18) (23) (13) were new this year. The most popular song in this period was:

Lord You Have My Heart (Mission Praise 887) Six occasions Seek Ye First (Mission Praise 590) Six occasions

Bible Studies & Prayer

Bible studies have continued throughout the year. They were held weekly on a Wednesday evening. A number of Sunday tea time studies were held on a monthly basis up to the summer. The studies were located in members’ homes. A variety of bible passages and topics were covered including studies taken from the on-line Bible Project. In the Autumn a short additional ‘african style’ prayer session was commenced on Friday evenings.

Church Personnel

Six deacons have served the congregation as its church officers supported by the Gap Year/Youth Workers. The church officers met six times during the year. In the absence of a pastor they have sought to meet the pastoral and practical needs of the church in various ways offering help, advice, spiritual counsel and encouragement. Practical help was provided for people struggling with life. Surplus supermarket food has been provided. Deacons have sought to promote a sense of family, unity and commitment in the life of the church.

Tina Weinreich and Mia Strebakowski from Germany continued as Gap Year/Youth Workers until July participating in the Time For God European Exchange Scheme. Time For God were unable to source any Gap Year Workers on our behalf for 2024-25. Thus in the last quarter of 2024 the church had to manage without the input of Gap Year Workers. This prompted the church leadership team to explore alternatives such as the appointment of a temporary pastor from the AIPM (American Interim Pastors Ministries) scheme. Pastor Doug Wright and his wife Connie were interviewed and invited to serve with MCC as Interim Pastor for 6-12 months. However due to visa problems their arrival has been delayed until February 2025. International Volunteers are valuable assets in the life of the congregation contributing their abilities and talents to the life of the church. Especially for Gap Year Volunteers - they acquire a portfolio of experience for their future work and lives.

A small team coordinated the musical, technical and logistical arrangements for worship services. A group of participants have made up the music group (piano, guitars, violin, sound box, vocalists) and they have assisted in providing musical accompaniment for church services

Pastoral Support

The church appointed one of the members as pastoral coordinator for an interim period and her efforts were well respected. She continued until the late summer.

Church deacons have taken 10 (10) (12) (26) (16) (9) of the 55 (57) (57) (55) (56) church services - 18% (18%) (21%), (48%) (29%) (16%) between them. Deacons met six times during 2024. Advice, encouragement and practical help have been provided to a wide range of people. Regular contact has been maintained with the congregation. Where possible practical help has been offered. The church is looking forward to the arrival of Interim Pastor Doug Wright from the USA in 2025.

Church Library – Church has continued to operate a small library of Christian books encouraging attenders to read for their spiritual profit. People are encouraged to borrow a variety of books covering devotional, bible study, biography, missionary and historical topics. A handful of new books have been donated this year. The library has approximately 200 volumes in stock.

Church Membership

In November 2023 a three part course on the privileges and responsibilities of church membership was organised led by Rev Stephen Bowers from Cornerstone Church, Brighouse. The course was well attended. The first batch of applicants were received into membership on 18 February with subsequent additions thereafter. Current church members roll is 16 full members

Premises

The church has a town centre location. It has a good public profile through good signage and graveyard/community garden activities, excellent relationships with community leaders, recommendation by reputation and/or word-of-mouth, a good website, outreach activities in schools and pensioners organisations, visiting by Gap Year Volunteer Workers, attractive and innovative programmes and warmth of welcome.

A building committee has met throughout the year considering proposals to reconfigure/renovate the premises. Structural and drainage surveys were undertaken and Martin Walsh Associates (Architects) of Dewsbury were commissioned to draw up plans to extend the premises upwards with a new first floor over the current building footprint. A master plan was devised. Enquiries about grant funding were made to EFCC Corporation. By the close of the year it was decided that the original plan was too ambitious. Thus further work will continue in 2025 to devise a modified renovation scheme that can be completed in phases.

A law practice (Wrigley Solicitors, Leeds) was commissioned by the trustees to explore updating the legal status of the church premises and investigate the feasibility of creating a new legal entity incorporating registration with the Charity Commission and a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee). This work is on-going

Community Garden Project

A volunteer team managed by Rowan Taylor continues to renovate the graveyard and create Zion Community Garden (ZCG).

Key work undertaken:

Number of volunteers: 38 (24 regular attendees of MCC; 5 friends and family; 9 Open Country Wakefield volunteers) Total graves in cultivation – 24

Grants/donations:

Art in the Garden:

Garden Party: Multiple stalls and games run by ZCG volunteers

Raised £166

One of the disappointing issues in 2024 is that some the garden power tools were stolen and we are grateful to Morley Glass for providing a grant to replace these items

Footpath

In 2022 a new pathway was constructed (with assistance from Housing Association Places4People) connecting the side entrance of the church with the car park of Haydn Court to facilitate access for local people. In a sample survey an average of 16 perambulations per day (112 each week) were made through the graveyard from/to Haydn Court. This has continued to be a significant success with increasing numbers of people using Zion Community Garden as a place of relaxation and reflection and assisting elderly people make shorter/simpler journeys to the town shopping area.

Outreach

Outreach Week:

The annual outreach week with a team of eight students from Capernwray Bible School took place from 1 - 10 March. They had an intense eight days of outreach. The Life & Times of Christ Bible Exhibition was delivered in 8 primary schools with 14 presentations, 541 pupils plus 27 accompanying staff attending. 460 copies of the Day One book ‘Romans, Gladiators & Games’ were given out to pupils as a workbook. 31 pensioners attended the Luncheon in the Labour Rooms. Two literature drop sessions circulating around the target area of the church were organised. A Coffee morning in Zion Chapel (11 attendees) was a useful piece of work. All the activities helped the church raise its profile and mission in Morley

Remembrance Service – Sunday 3 November

A Remembrance Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony focussed on the war graves in the churchyard from both World Wars was held the Sunday before Remembrance Day.

The church invited former Army Padre Rev Albert Jackson to lead and speak at this service. He was able to manage the service and share the gospel message to a chapel full of people.

The service targeted two detachments of Air Cadets (96 Squadron Dewsbury & 168 Squadron South Leeds) which attract a number of Morley young people amongst their ranks. The Cadet Detachment paraded to the church via Seigen Close, Wesley Street & Westfield Road in which there was a ‘March Past & Salute’ of the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire (DL Yvonne Stocks), Mayor and Deputy Mayor. There were 5 civic dignitaries, 4 councillors, MP Mark Sewards, 13 cadets, 5 family members of cadets, 3 military personnel, 4 Royal British Legion personnel, 11 ‘others’ plus church regulars in attendance. A talk with powerpoint pictures of the men who were killed was delivered by the church secretary. Relatives of casualties also attended – one of whom shared family memories of her uncle (Herbert Holdsworth) killed at Arnhem in 1944.

At the conclusion of the service the dignitaries, guests and congregation gathered outside the chapel in the graveyard. The Last Post was sounded, the standard bearers lowered their flags and Mayor, Councillors, Cadets, Legion members, MP, serving member of the Armed Forces, relatives and others laid their wreaths on the graves. 13 Air Cadet Military Testaments were presented to the Cadets by the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire (supplied by Good News For Everyone). A Civic Presentation Bible was also presented to the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire

This endeavour was well worth organising. It took a lot of advance planning. It was deliberately held on the Sunday prior to Remembrance Sunday itself as it is normally a very busy day for such groups as the British Legion, Air Cadets & civic dignitaries. Guests significantly outnumbered regular worshippers.

Pensioners Spring Event – Jubilee Court 3 March.

25 residents and friends/family from Jubilee Court attended this seasonal event. It was organized by the team of Capernwray Bible Students supported by the church. This included a quiz, song, gospel presentation concluding with a delicious tea together.

Carols by Candlelight Service Sunday 15 December

A congregation of 38 adults attended this seasonal service. A leaflet drop (1000 leaflets) was undertaken in the preceding week and some people attended as a direct result of this. With dimmed lights and lighted candles, a service of readings, carols, nativity play was followed by a clear, engaging multi media presentation by Ian Wilson from Leeds. It was a most enjoyable and useful seasonal outreach evening.

Literature Distribution

Day One Living Word Calendars

A total of 800 (1883) (1260) (1430) (1430) (500) calendars (2025 edition) were distributed in December. These were via a targeted letterbox drop in areas surrounding the church and also three Sheltered Housing Complexes (Schofield, Jubilee and Chartist Courts) in the town, MEA Office reception and the Town Hall coffee morning, personal friends, contacts etc. A further 244 surplus calendars (2024 edition) were distributed in the Outreach Week in March.

Day One Diaries 2025

24 (24) (362) (100) (25) (80) diaries were distributed this year via church members, Morley Elderly Action and other networks at Christmas.

Its Your Move – 288 Its Your Move booklets were distributed to Year 6 leavers in 6 primary schools – Churwell (60), Newlands (60), Seven Hills (45), Asquith (60), Victoria (60), Queenswood (3). This booklet is a Scripture Union publication and helps children understand the next big move in their life.

Seasonal Literature – a small number of greetings cards , Real Easter Eggs and Real Advent Calendars were sourced from the Leeds City Mission Christian Book & Card Booth for purchase/use/distribution by people attending the church. These all contained scripture texts or a bible story booklet.

Prize Books – 18 books/DVDs were presented to Year 4 pupils who attended the Chattabox Club at Seven Hills Primary School. A further 14 Bible Story colouring books were presented to who attended the Faith Club at Asquith Primary School.

– Scriptures 13 Air Cadet Military Testaments were presented to the Cadets at the Remembrance Service. A Civic Presentation Bible was also given to the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire at the same service. The church also made a donation towards the cost of 190 schools New Testaments to Year 7 pupils at a Morley High School by the local branch of GNFE.

Schools

The church has continued relationships with seven primary schools in the town. These have included lunchtime clubs in three schools at different times of the year, presentation of school leaver Its Your Move booklets, visit of the annual bible exhibition workshops. Two schools welcomed the two church Gap Year Volunteers on a secondment day each week so that they could support teachers, gain insight into the British educational system and contribute to the international and cultural understanding of pupils.

Older People

All Gap Year Workers have attended weekly coffee mornings both in the Town Hall and at Jubilee Court OAP Sheltered Housing Scheme engaging pensioners in conversation and friendship. The outcome of this has been reflected in the numbers who have subsequently attended events eg Spring Event, Pensioners Luncheon, Pensioners Tea. The vast majority of these elderly folks are long standing Morley families, thus we are establishing a presence and relationships with family networks which have been around for generations. Morley Elderly Action officers have appreciated the input of the church recognising its positive contribution to the well being of older people in the town.

Missionary

We believe it is important to support the work of the gospel both in the UK and to the wider world and have done this in a number of ways

We have had 4 (6) (5) (2) (4) (8) services with mission personnel/representatives speaking about their work – Michael Romagnoli (Caring For Life) – 18 February, Paul Linnell (Open Air Mission) 28 April, Claire Newton (Leeds City Mission) 8 September, Rowan Taylor (Barnabas Fund) 27 October.

A TEAR Fund Quiz Evening was held on Saturday 16 November. A church gathering saw 21 attendees (7 visitors) who enjoyed the BIG QUIZ evening. £305 was raised for this relief agency.

A gift of £300 was sent to Good News For Everyone (formerly The Gideons) to assist with the supply of New Testaments to Year 7 pupils at a local High School

A gift of £300 was forwarded to the International Miners Mission

We have prayed for a number of missionaries in our prayer sessions.

Home Missions

Leeds City Mission – practical help has been given to Leeds City Mission to support their work – 21 (14) (28) (49) (48) (55) sacks of clothes and rags, and various other items were donated for their Re-Store Charity Shop. 156 (147) (156) (96) (44) (42) trays of food were donated to their Pantry Project . 267 (285) (250) plastic milk cartons were also collected and donated for use in the Pantry Project . Quantities of used postage stamps were also donated to LCM in their fundraising efforts. In addition 557 (930) greetings cards were collected and donated to LCM use for conversion into gift tags. A congregation member created a total of 7987 gift tags from these and other cards which were donated to Leeds City Mission. All of the Gap Year Workers have each assisted (on average one day each week) in the LCM Charity Shop now located in the LCM Hub in Armley, Leeds.

Dewsbury Community Outreach

Three members of the church are trustees of Dewsbury Community Outreach (DCO) and one further person from the church help on a regular basis at this charity. Other members of the church support it financially. The Gap Year Workers also spent one day a week assisting at DCO. This charity operates out of 74 Daisy Hill Dewsbury and caters for the physical and spiritual well being of disadvantaged people by providing a drop-in where free meals are available and food, clothing, toiletries and household goods are given away for free. The charity also provide wellbeing support and assistance with housing and other issues.

Youth & Children

Yzup

Yzup youth club focussed on 11-15 year olds has continued on Tuesday evenings meeting in the church hall. The programme is a mixture of activities, trips, craft, food, discussions. 36 sessions have been organised with a staff team of four church members and two gap year workers assisted in running the club in 2024.

Youth Workers

Gap Year Volunteers Tina Weinreich and Mia Strebakowski (Germany) continued in their work until late July. The church has now welcomed a total of 25 Gap Year Volunteers since 2006.

The recruitment of Gap Year Workers has played an important part in the life of the church and its ability to organise and deliver youth and children’s projects such as Yzup Club, school lunchtime clubs as well as making a positive contribution to wider church life and community contact. Both were placed one day each week in a local primary school and also attend two coffee mornings to develop relationships with older people. They were also placed one day each week either with Dewsbury Community Outreach or Leeds City Mission helping in mercy ministries with those at the edge of society. They gained valuable experience for the future. We are grateful for the support of Time For God scheme which enabled the church to run this programme until July 2024. It was a disappointment to everyone not to be able to recruit new Gap Year Workers for 2024/25

Sunday School & Creche

A small Sunday School was organised throughout the year running parallel with the morning worship service. Four boys and two girls were the core attenders and are the children of regular adult worshippers in the church. Children in the 6- 11 years age range made a total of 232 attendances (225 by regular core of six children plus 7 visitors making 7 visits) and 48 sessions were provided. A teachers’ rota was fulfilled by five volunteers from the church congregation. Teaching topics included Ruth, Esther, Kind David, Solomon, New Testament parables and other biblical subjects.

A small creche was run concurrent with the morning service. A variety of toys and play activities were provided for children in the 1-5 years age range. A total of 112 attendances were made by 22 different children. There was a core of three regular children (73 attendances) with another 19 children making occasional visits as their parents were visiting the church service (34 attendances). A supervision rota was fulfilled by three church volunteers.

Lunchtime Clubs

Seven Hills Primary School welcomed the operation of Chattabox Club on Friday lunchtimes. Two groups of Year 4 pupils attended (one group in Spring term and one group in Summer term). Attendances were made by a total of 19 Year 4 pupils averaging 9 pupils each week (167 total attendances) and a total of 20 sessions were held in the year. ‘Faith Club’ was run at Asquith Primary School in conjunction with Beth Burbidge (youth & community worker at St Peter’s Church) for a number of weeks in the Spring/Summer terms. This was repeated at Victoria Primary School in the same time period.

Bridgebuilding

Since its inception Morley Community Church has recognized the need to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with individuals and families. In previous years press articles in the local newspaper has helped the church to foster such relationships. The absence of a local newspaper has denied the church avenues for positive publicity which assisted this process in former years. The church has sought to compensate by developing a new website plus regular updates on Facebook.

Our relationships with Morley Elderly Action, Seven Hills, Victoria, St Francis Primary Schools, & Jubilee Court Sheltered Housing Scheme have been positive in 2024. An enhanced relationship with Asquith Primary School was strengthened by the visit of the Bible Exhibition by Capernwray Bible Students in March. Also running a lunchtime ‘Faith Club’ at lunchtime during the summer term in partnership with Beth Burbidge the youth & community worker at St Peter’s Church. This was also repeated at Victoria Primary School.

We have continued to keep key community personnel informed to enable them to be familiar with the existence and activities of the church.

Social Action

Recycling

267 milk cartons were donated to Leeds City Mission for their Pantry Project (foodbank) 157 bottletops were donated to a children’s play scheme (Play Hartlepool)

36 small plastic bottles were donated to Leeds City Mission for refill use for their outreach work with street people Quantities of used postage stamps were donated to Leeds City Mission

557 used greetings cards were donated to Leeds City Mission

Foil

Aluminium cans and foil continued to be collected, recycled and cashed in at the scrap yard. The small sum raised is reserved for missions projects.

Food

Surplus quantities of bread, confectionery, fruit, vegetables and flowers have been acquired from supermarkets – 449 (286) (274) (260) (266) (266) trays in total. This food has been distributed to people attending church, people in need & Haydn Court residents during the course of the year – 204 (113) (100) trays, Leeds City Mission – 156 (147) (156) (96) (44) trays; Gildersome Baptist 27 (17) trays, Birstall Community Church – 25 (7) trays, Bramley Pentecostal Church – 8 (2) trays, Morley Salvation Army – 26, Garforth Evangelical Church (three). 400 (410) (920) apples were picked direct from trees and given to LCM.

Fibres

9 (11) (21) (40) (43) (55) bags of second hand clothes and 1 (2) (7) (9) (5) (7) (8) bags of rags. 11 sacks of bric a brac plus other items have collected and donated to the Leeds City Mission Charity Shop (Re-Store) throughout the year

Fairs

A street stall was held in the pedestrianised area of the town centre – Saturday 2 March selling a variety of clothes, bric a brac and books with profit being donated to LCM. This was not primarily a fund raising event but for ‘awareness raising’ of the presence of the church plus literature distribution.

Christmas

A total of 39 (35) (60) (39) (64) (28) presents were obtained from a charity & individuals. 24 were used with local Morley families in need and 15 (19) (23) (52) (20) (39) presents were passed to Leeds City Mission for use with needy children/young people at Christmas in connection with their Toy Project. 557 used greetings cards were donated to Leeds City Mission for recycling into seasonal gift tags. LCM donated back 420 greetings tags and these were then distributed to a couple of local organisations – Town Hall Coffee Morning – 120, MEA Office – 200.

Emergency Support

Significant quantities of food have been made available to people in need/unemployed people who are struggling to make ends meet either directly through church referrals or via other agencies outlined above in the ‘Food’ paragraph.

Flowers

24 (20) (13) appropriate graves have been used as raised beds for growing edible and ornamental plants. 260 (270) (121) (41) surplus flower bunches supplied by supermarkets have been delivered to 25 (59) (60) (25) different individuals (eg housebound pensioners) and these have been gratefully received. Also different churches – Gildersome Baptist – 19 bunches, Bramley Pentecostal – 12 bunches, Salvation Army – 8 bunches, Birstall Community Church – 38 bunches, Garforth EC – 11 bunches, Drighlington Methodist – 8 bunches, LCM Hub – 22 bunches, Dewsbury Nazarene – 6 bunches

Environmental

Under the management of Rowan Taylor the transformation of the church graveyard into a Community Garden continued throughout the year. The team has maintained lawn and grass areas, created a wildlife pond, a new bulb area and a wildflower border, grown edible and ornamental plants in 24 grave raised beds, generated a range of composts, installed a water butt and wormery, created a bog bed plus new shrub and perennial border. A selection of perennials & annual edibles have been planted. 20 bog plants plus many bulbs have been planted by 38 volunteers – largely at the fortnightly Saturday morning volunteer drop-in sessions in the Spring and Summer. £3050 plus items in kind have been obtained through grants. Six ‘Art in the Garden’ mornings have been successfully organised.

Publicity

The publicity boards are put out each Sunday and signs are displayed outside the front gates of the church on Merlyn Rees Avenue. Also by the boundary wall with Haydn Court. A banner continues to drape the old Zion Chapel noticeboard at the front of the car park.

We continued to advertise on the world wide web and can be found in the “ Find A Church ” Directory (findachurch.co.uk) - www.morleycommunitychurch.org.uk. This website has elicited a number of visitors to the church. We also have a publicity page on Facebook.

We are listed on the Leeds Network Directory of Churches website. Also the EFCC website, EA Directory and Affinity Directory.

The demise of the local newspaper in 2020 has meant there has been no local news coverage in print for the church. However it has been possible to publish some news on Facebook – there have been 15 postings in 2024. The Community Garden Project has its own Facebook page

There have been five editions of the church magazine in the year. Circulation is usually 100 copies but we estimate approximately 250 people read it. The magazine is primarily designed for people who are not regular in church activities. Its significance is that it has provided a public face externally raising our profile locally in the church and bringing a sense of identity and common purpose within the congregation. Articles are syndicated to two other churches for use in their magazines. We sent the church magazine to most church ministers in Morley and the leaders of every evangelical church in a five mile radius.

MORLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH (Charity No. 1083023) RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024 Last Year OPENING BALANCES Lloyds Bank accounts & Petty Cash 39,461.21 32,893.30 RECEIPTS Donatsons Gift Aid Tax Refund Zion House Rent Zion Chapel Rent Bank Interest YZup- Trip income Other Churches Heart For Truthl Shout Aloud Fountain Tots 17976.54 4130.43 7722.00 540.00 291.37 44.70 20,162.26 4101.74 6318.00 292.58 526.00 450.00 78.42 30,705.04 31.929.00 Reserved Funds Zion Community Garden (See R1) Morley Camping Venture (s￿ R2} 3025.04 0.00 2346.33 3353.96 Specified Donations for Tear Fund for Leeds City Mission for Salvation Amy for Good News For Everyone for Dream School Ukraine for Miqyof5 Charity for IMM 305.00 909.11 84.00 80.00 475.00 270.00 70.00 41.25 20.00 876.25 38,505.54 1,378.11 35.108.19 TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Reserved Funds Zion Community Garden (See R1) Morley Camping Venture (See R2) 2721.42 0.00 972.72 3438.60 Charitable Donations Dream bchool Ukraine Leeds City Mission Intemational Miners Mission Tear Fund Open Air Mission Good New5 for Everyone Open Doors SASRA Mayors Charity 1070.00 837.50 600.00 485.00 300.00 300.00 1125_59 300.00 305.00 1200.00 380.00 300.00 300.00 200.00 3,610.59 4,092.50 Page 1

Outreach BookletslBiblesNideos for School Work Calèndars, Diaries, Christmas Capernwray Students Yzup Special Services (food, BS books etc.) Pensioners Events Chattabox & Gardening Club Sunday School 1286.98 1100.64 493.59 218.95 164.20 89.00 30.46 1904.80 487.58 234.21 576.85 166.25 20.54 128.95 3,383.82 3,519.18 Pastoral Support Youth Workerfs Living Costs Youth Workers Expenses P88toral Workers Costs Pastoral Workers Expenses Ministerfs Costs 8829.55 2314.15 5946.43 285.80 825.76 6390.62 2619.05 18,201.69 9,009.67 Zion Building Architect utilities Zion Chapel Repairs Zion House Roof Zion House Boiler Zion House Maintenan Consumables 2850.00 1116.50 326.47 11880.00 1800.00 91.49 50.63 1980.00 1215.24 1027.71 495.00 24.40 4,742.35 18,115.09 Other Solicitor Insuran Membership Subscriptions Speakers, Expenses PubliGity DBS Checks Administration Heart of Truthlshout Aloud 6000.00 1729.58 1172.00 1045.00 283.25 150.00 25.98 1608.72 1111.00 1315.00 528.07 194.00 76.46 950.00 5,783.25 10,405.81 Capital IT Equipment Microphones Music Books 199.77 236.11 143.25 379.36 199.77 TOTAL PAYMENTS 56,638.19 31,937.63 NET SURPLUSIDEFICIT FOR THE YEAR -21,530.00 . 6,567.91 CLOSING BALANCES Lloyds Current & Deposit Bank accounts Petty cash 16513.04 1418.17 38,807.65 653.56 39,461.21 17,931.21 Signed by ￿ trustees on behalf of all the trustees nature Print Name Date Page 2

MORLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH (Charty No. 1083023) RESERVED FUNDS AS AT THE 31 DECEMBER 2024 R1 ZION COMMUNITY GARDEN Last Year Opening Balance 1385.34 11.73 RECEIPTS Community Foundation Grant Gifts Morfey Glass Leeds Community 1500.00 846.33 525.04 1000 1500 TOTAL RECEIPTS 3025.04 2346.33 PAYMENTS Plants and Equipment Strimmer (stolen) Shredder Leaf Blower Strimmer Water & Fuel 1691.31 389.00 101.19 162.99 279.99 891.45 81.27 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2721.42 972.72 ACCOUNT BALANCE 1688.96 1385.34 R2 MORLEY CAMPING VENTURE Last Year Opening Balan 438.41 523.05 RECEIPTS Campers Fees Morley Town Council Grant Newlands & Denshaw Res. Assn. Gifts Childhaven Trust Bookstall & Tuck Shop 970.00 750.00 672.96 600.00 300.00 61.00 TOTAL RECEIPTS 0.00 3353.96 PAYMENTS Mini-bus Rides. Attractions and Acttvib'es Premises Travel Expenses Food & Tuck Shop Speakers Expenses Prizes & Gifts 900.00 532.40 540.00 497.22 444.71 300.00 224.27 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 0.00 3438.60 ACCOUNT BALANCE 438.41 438.41 Page 3

MORLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH (Charity No. 1083023) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT THE 31 DECEMBER 2024 Last Year Lloyds Current account Lloyd= Dcposit account Petty cash 1901.07 14G11.97 1418.17 1237.05 37Jf70.60 653.56 39461.21 17931.21 OTHER ASSETS IT Equipment Microphones Music Books Laptop Computer 199.97 135.00 82.50 40.00 180.00 110.00 52.50 490 XKP Tokens @ £1.65 812.46 242.85 LIABILITIES none Note". The Assests of Zion Chapel. Zion House and the assocFated grounds are managed by Morley Community Church but the propety is owned by 'The Trustees of Zion Chapel, Morley, and therefore is not part of the assets of the Morley Communty Church Trust. Page 4

Independent Examiners Report to the Trusteas of Morley Communty Church Charity No. 1083023 I report on the accounts of Morley Community Church for the year ended 31 D￿rnber 2024, which are set out on pages one and two. 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 seth'on 43{2) of the Charits-es Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act; - to follow the procedures laid dovln in the gene￿1 Directions given by the Charity Commission - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. My examination wa3 carried out in accordance with ihe Gerietal DiiectiOll5 given by the Charlty Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: to keep accurate accounting records has not b￿n met {2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to ensure a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Audited by DAN aLA-rro Signed Date zo/ E/z¥. Page 5