2024-12-31-accounts - The German Lutheran Congregation Of St Albans / Luton

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1/1/2024 Period start date To 31/12/2024 Period end date Charity name: German Lutheran Congregation of St Albans/Luton

Charity registration number: 1096675

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activities	Objectives and Activities	Objectives and Activities
SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 The objective of the charity is holding Lutheran church services in Germain in St Albans and Luton
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 Monthly church services in German in St Albans Cathedral on the last Tuesday evening of each month Monthly family-friendly church services in St Mary’s Marshalswick on every second Saturday afternoon of each month
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have considered the public benefit requirement and believe that the charity’s current activities are in line with Charity Commission guidelines

Achievements and Performance

Achievements and Performance	Achievements and Performance	Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	As in previous years, the congregation was able to hold Lutheran services in German twice monthly: in St Albans Cathedral on the last Tuesday of each month, and more family friendly services in St Mary’s Marshalswick on every second Saturday afternoon Services were generally well attended, and a particular highlight was the confirmation of two of our young people in July. We also continued to offer a monthly bible group, which was also well attended. Our congregation is maintaining ecumenical relationships within St

Albans with other congregations via Churches Together, and in particular with the Abbey, where our pastor is ecumenical chaplain. The trustees are mindful of the relatively small size of the congregation and are therefore looking to increase cooperation with German Lutheran congregations in London, East of England and beyond.

Financial Review

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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 The charity has cash reserves of
financial position at the end £83,533 and investment assets of
of the period £31,370
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 The reserves are considered sufficient
policy for holding reserves but not excessive to meet the medium
stating why they are held term needs of the charity over the next
5-10 years. Receipt of a legacy
increased the reserves by £20,000 this
year; the charity expects to spend this
legacy over the next few years
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 The charity has cash reserves of
£83,533 and investment assets of
£31,370
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 The charity does not hold zero reserves
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 No funds are in deficit
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 No such concerns are noted
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	CONSTITUTION ADOPTED 25 OCTOBER 1956 AS AMENDED 28 JANUARY 1976, 26 OCTOBER 1993 AND 29 OCTOBER 2002. AS AMENDED ON 11 MAR 2017
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are elected every 4 years at the charity’s AGM

Reference and Administrative details

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Charity name German Lutheran Congregation of St Albans/Luton
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1096675
Charity’s principal address 15 Great Meadow Way
Aylesbury
HP19 7FT
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Dorothea Redpath Chair AGM
2 Sabine Forrest Secretary AGM
3 Jochen Hoffmann Hon Treasurer AGM
4 Michael Gruetzner AGM
5 Beate Wylie AGM
6 Goetz Richter AGM
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Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Dorothea Redpath
	Chair
	1/10/2025
	1/10/2025

Income Statement - German Lutheran Congregation of St Albans / Luton

Income 1. Congregation 1.10 Subscriptions etc 1.20 Income from Investments 1.30 Grants received 2. Parochial Share 2.10 Subscriptions etc 2.30 Grants received 2.40 Refunds Total Income	2024 2023 £30,059.40 £10,452.31 £712.96 £667.49 £2,014.05 £1,650.00
	£32,786.41 £12,769.80
	£105.00 £18.63 £0.00 £275.00 £40.56 £0.00
	£145.56 £293.63
	£32,931.97 £13,063.43

Expenditure 3. Congregation 3.30 Office 3.40 Charitable Activities 3.50 Membership Fees 4. Parochial Share 4.10 Ministry 4.20 Buildings 4.30 Office 4.40 Charitable Activities Total Expenditure Revaluations Net Income	£77.53 £82.42 £2,723.48 £1,704.79 £30.00 £30.00
	£2,831.01 £1,817.21
	£9,000.00 £8,867.73 £507.07 £539.95 £1,617.26 £1,438.26 £482.62 £481.14 £11,606.95 £11,327.08
	£14,437.96 £13,144.29
	£1,518.50 £3,323.72
	£20,012.51 £3,242.86

Balance Sheet 31/12/2024 - Lutheran Congregation of St Albans / Luton

A Aktiva A.10 Current Assets A.12 Current Account A.14 Parochial Current Account Share A.16 iZettle Holding Account A.20 Investments A.23 Fixed Rate Bonds A.24 Mutual Funds A.30 Trade and other debtors A.31 HMRC A.32 Unbanked membership subscriptions Total P Passiva P.10 Unrestricted Funds P.11 General Unrestricted Funds P.12 Pastor Salary Fund P.13 Building Maintenance Fund P.20 Current Liabilities P.21 Uncashed cheques P.23 Collections to be forwarded Total	31/12/2024 31/12/2023 £10,442.51 £9,907.53 £126.46 £2,530.35 £171.90 £249.53
	£10,740.87 £12,687.41
	£73,412.79 £52,699.83 £31,370.30 £29,851.80
	£104,783.09 £82,551.63
	£836.40 £932.31 £0.00 £50.00 £836.40 £982.31
	£116,360.36 £96,221.35
	£101,759.86 £81,747.35 £9,000.00 £9,000.00 £5,000.00 £5,000.00
	£115,759.86 £95,747.35
	£290.00 £0.00 £310.50 £474.00
	£600.50 £474.00
	£116,360.36 £96,221.35

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the Charity Name trustees/ German Lutheran Congregation St Albans members of On accounts for 31 December 2024 Charity no 1096675 the year ended Set out on pages 1-2

Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the responsibilities of accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not trustees and required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 examiner (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of My examination was carried out in accordance with general
independent Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination examiner’s includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and statement 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 the 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.

December 2024

IER

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Date: 25/09/2025

Signed: Name: Dr Lucie Abeler-Dörner Relevant Senior Scientific Manager professional University of Oxford qualification(s) or body (if any): ~~a~~ Address: 49 Stone Meadow Oxford OX2 6TD ~~BS~~ Section B Disclosure R Give here brief Charity Name n/a details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose (only complete if applicable) ~~a~~

Section B Disclosure

December 2024

IER