2020-12-31-accounts - Trinity Vineyard Church

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Trinity Vineyard Church

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2020

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

TRINITY VINEYARD CHURCH

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

PO Box 71128 London SE18 9NF

GOVERNING DOCUMENT

Declaration of Trust dated June 2001 amended July 2012

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CHARITY

BANKERS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

1088718 Paul Bickley [Pastor] Duncan Ho Rebecca Morris Ron Yee Co-operative Bank

Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 9 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

Pastors’ Retrospective, 2020

Our vision for Trinity Vineyard Church is that it should function like a heart – drawing people to experience the life-changing love of God, and then sending them to share that love with their families, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

In January 2020, we were looking forward to the most significant shift in the life of our community to date. We had identified a new venue – the Tramshed theatre space - for our Sunday gatherings in Woolwich. We were due to meet there for the first time on 22 March 2020. This was more than just a change in Sunday meeting place, it was also an alignment of our Sunday venue with our missional work, and a shift from an out-of-centre to town centre location.

As were moving materials into this building on the 16 March, we heard that the Tramshed would be closing its doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later that evening, the whole country was placed into lockdown. What we thought might be a temporary delay turned into the biggest single shift in national life – never mind church life – in living memory; alongside the obvious move to online meetings, the disruption (and joys) of home-schooling and homeworking, the pastoral challenges, the (thankfully few) instances of serious illness, we did not know how we could continue to serve our vision for our community.

But God is good. Overall, Trinity Vineyard Church has flourished during this time. Additionally to the enforced pause of physical meetings came opportunities to meet new people (online at first); experiment with different approaches to discipleship; and serve our neighbours. In the autumn of 2020, we were able to hold our first meetings in the Tramshed (before the subsequent winter lockdown). We are grateful that reduced spending and increased giving meant that we ended the year with only a very small deficit, and in a much better financial position than we predicted in our 2020 budget!

We have been reminded of Jesus’ words in John 5:17: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working”.

We are thankful to and for our trustees, the TVC leadership team, and those fellow disciples of Jesus with whom we are making this journey.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this report. We hope it gives you a window into our community and that one day we will meet you in person.

Paul and Rebecca Bickley, Pastors, Trinity Vineyard Church 20 May 2021

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The Trustees are pleased to submit the Report and Accounts for the year.

Aims and Purposes

As a member of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland (VCUKI), Trinity Vineyard Church exists to extend God’s kingdom, everywhere and in every way.

The charitable objects of Trinity Vineyard Church are:

a) The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the VCUKI Statement of Faith, Values, Priorities, Practices and Leadership Standards;

b) The relief of the poor and needy, the sick and elderly in Greenwich and Lewisham and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit;

c) The furtherance of religious or secular public education;

d) Such other charitable objects and for the benefit of such other charitable bodies and institutions as the Trustees in their absolute discretion see fit.

In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

In the pursuit of its aims and purposes, Trinity Vineyard’s life focuses around three things:

Seeking transformation in Christ

Vineyard churches combine a declaration of God’s unconditional welcome and a call to costly discipleship of Jesus: “come as you are, but don’t stay as you are”. Those who experience God’s grace will also experience change in heart, character, and action. Our Sunday and midweek gatherings are aimed at seeing people experience growth and transformation, learning how to love God and love their neighbours.

Sunday gatherings:

After leaving Morden Mount in March, we were obliged to shift our Sunday gatherings online. Though something of a technological learning curve, we were pleased to connect with new people through our online services. We tried to stay ‘live’, though pre-recorded some content for worship and children. We delivered sermon series on: building a Rule of Life; the Sermon on the Mount; and Revelation (with a guest contributor, theologian Stephen Backhouse).

We enjoyed an outdoor, socially distanced, gathering in August 2020, and met on five consecutive Sundays in the Tramshed in October/November, before reverting to online meetings again.

- Home church:

Midweek gatherings also shifted online, tracking the sermon series on a Rule of Life.

Discipleship and leadership development:

Key leaders attended Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland National Leaders’ Conference. Several trustees attended trustee training or development sessions, specifically on negotiating the pandemic challenges. Paul and Becca continued to attend Vineyard London Region gatherings (which also went online) and each engaged in spiritual direction sessions.

Building authentic community

We also organised ‘check-ins’ early in the lockdown, and filmed the CoronaCast – a daily devotion – through March and April. Later in the year, we developed ‘Philos Groups’. These were small groups people connected for pastoral support. We organised 1-2-1 meet-ups when restrictions relaxed in early summer. We organised various socials across the year, including a Christmas cook-along!

Declaring and demonstrating the kingdom

Our key community engagement comes in the form of refugee support – a journey that began during the Syrian refugee crisis of 2017. Becca offers weekly support to one family, and was also involved in recruiting and training volunteers in the borough. In 2020, she was supporting and advising on the development of an English club in the Middle Park area of Eltham. We hosted a Zoom Party to support connection between volunteers and Syrian families.

Our own English Club, run in partnership with Foxfield Primary School, has continued but like so many other groups has had to shift online. It is now delivered through WhatsApp and Zoom. Eight people volunteered for the group (two new). The reach of the group has grown and there are now up to 53 participants involved, including ladies based in Liverpool, Birmingham, Scotland, Sweden, Lebanon and Somalia!

Paul remains Borough chair (later co-chair) of Greenwich Citizens (part of the London-wide alliance, London Citizens). With others in the alliance, members of Trinity Vineyard have focused efforts on launching a community land trust in Greenwich. The local authority have now identified two sites for community-led housing, partly in response to our campaigning. Becca is part of the ESOL action group looking at hosting a providers meeting with the local authority.

The church is made up of generous people, who collectively donated 27 boxes to the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas appeal and nine Christmas food parcels to those with no recourse to public funds. We also made goodwill donations to the Tramshed in lockdown, recognising that they were not receiving predicted rental income from us.

Staffing

Paid staff hours in 2020 were 45 (Becca Bickley 26.25/Paul Bickley 18.75). A large number of volunteer hours are given by members of the church.

Plans for 2021 and beyond

In 2021, Trinity Vineyard Church will look to build activity in the Woolwich /Plumstead area. Sunday gatherings remain online, with the first “in person” meeting at St George’s Garrison Church in Woolwich on 16 May, 2021 and a first meeting at the Tramshed on 30 May, 2021.

Financial Review

Our main source of funds continues to come through voluntary donations from members of the church with occasional small gifts from other individuals. All income is used for church related activities at both a local and national level.

Our main costs have been incurred through staffing and outreach projects, in line with the objects of the organisation. To help keep costs down, staffing is currently arranged on a parttime basis.

Reserves Policy To allow for fluctuating financial income, the charity has a policy to keep in reserve an amount equivalent to at least four months of regular outgoings, which amounts to about £21,000. At the end of 2020, £43.600 was held as unrestricted funds. Risk Statement The Trustees have reviewed the risks to which a small charity operating with few employees is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in pla to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis. Other major risks are managed through accounting services, adequate insurance (including PLI), and the support of the Thirtyone=eight. The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks the charity is exposed to- ensuring appropriate contingencies are in place to provide reasonable assuran against fraud or error. Trustees, Responsibilities Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Appmval This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: P Bickley-_ Trustee (Chair) Date: 12 September 2021

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

TRINITY VINEYARD CHURCH

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Trinity Vineyard Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2020 on pages 7 to 9 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jaimée Young

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: 14 September 2021

Page 6

TRINITY VINEYARD CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes *Income receipts* Donations Gift aid receipts Investment income Other *Capital and similar receipts* *Total receipts* *Payments* 2 3 *Total payments* Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Sale of fixed assets		General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 47,781 - 9,195 - 124 - - - 57,100 - 2,800 - 2,800 - 59,900 - 58,815 - 1,605 - 60,420 - (519) - 6,962 - 6,443 - 37,145 - 43,588 - Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds £ - - 8 - 8 - - 8 - - - 8 (6,962) (6,954) 8,582 1,627	Total 2020 £ 47,781 9,195 132 - 57,108 2,800 2,800 59,908 58,815 1,605 60,420 (512) - (512) 45,727 45,215	Total 2019 £
		General Funds £ 47,781 9,195 124 - 57,100 2,800 2,800 59,900 58,815 1,605 60,420 (519) 6,962 6,443 37,145 43,588
					30,540 7,464 300 339
					38,643
					-
					-

					38,643
					58,689 2,688
					61,377
					(22,735) -
					(22,735) 68,461
					45,727

The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

TRINITY VINEYARD CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year: Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses D Assets retained for charity's own use Equipment	General Designated funds funds £ £ 17,195 - 26,393 - 43,588 - 2,157 - 2,157 - 870 - 2,505 - 3,375 - Unrestricted Funds	Restricted funds £ 1,627 - 1,627 - - - - -	Total 2020 £ 18,822 26,393 45,215 2,157 2,157 870 2,505 3,375 Value 2020 £ 17,538 17,538	Total 2019 £
				19,436 26,291
				45,727
				1,762
				1,762
				750 355
				1,105
				Value 2019 £
				17,000
				17,000

The trustees have used insurance values as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf

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by date
Paul Bickley 12 September 2021
The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.
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Page 8

TRINITY VINEYARD CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Rental costs Conferences and training Church meetings and outreach Equipment, IT and other resources Administration and other support costs Other costs 3 Grants and gifts paid to others Organisations: Vineyard Church UK Organisations < £1,000 Individuals		Unrestrict	Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total 2020 £ 42,750 5,360 216 2,854 3,100 2,971 1,563 58,815 355 900 350 1,605	Total 2019 £
		General funds £ 42,750 5,360 216 2,854 3,100 2,971 1,563 58,815 355 900 350 1,605
						43,021 6,810 1,326 1,712 1,959 2,421 1,440
						58,689
						2,543 70 75
						2,688

4 Transactions with related parties

Paul Bickley served as a church leader and was paid £17,500 [2019: £17,500] for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee. Rebecca Bickley, spouse of Paul Bickley, a trustee, was paid £24,500 [2019: £23,285] in her capacity as finance officer and senior pastor. The above payments were permitted by the charity's governing document.

5 Movement of funds Unrestricted funds General funds Restricted funds Shop front fund Total funds	Balance at 31Dec2019 £ 37,145 37,145 8,582 8,582 45,727	Receipts £ 59,900 59,900 8 8 59,908	Payments £ (60,420) (60,420) - - (60,420)	Transfers £ 6,962 6,962 (6,962) (6,962) -	Balance at 31Dec2020 £ 43,588
					43,588
					1,627
					1,627

					45,215

The Shop front fund was set up to enable the purchase or rent of a building in the community. The transfer to general funds this year was with permission from the donors to enable more general use of these funds.

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