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2023-06-30-accounts

Charity Number: 1108310

Grace Church Manchester

Report and financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023

Grace Church Manchester

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 30 June 2023

Charity number 1108310 Registered office and operational address 247A Wilmslow Road, Rusholme Manchester M14 5LW

Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: Alison Collins Trustee (To July 2023) Dr. Sophie Craggs Trustee Rev. Stephen James Trustee (External to GCM) Nnamdi Okolie Trustee Nigel Tate Trustee (External to GCM, from June 2022) Staff Peter Horlock Senior Pastor Jeremy Poyner Associate Pastor Joel Madur International Student Worker Grace Fulford Voluntary Intern Emily Horlock Administrator Bankers The Co-operative Bank PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP Independent Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Examiner Slade & Cooper Beehive Mill Jersey Street Manchester M4 6JG

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s trust deed and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in the governing document

a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs (which appears as a schedule in The Declaration of Trust) hereto particularly but not exclusively amongst students in Manchester and in such other parts of the UK or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit and to fulfil 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.

a) 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 Manchester and in such other parts of the UK or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit.

The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects

The main activities of Grace Church over the 2022-2023 financial year in relation to our charitable objectives are described below.

a) To advance the Christian faith

Sunday Services and mid-week groups

The church does not have its own building and so hires out a local school on a Sunday morning for our weekly meetings with around 107 people over the age of 11 attending each week. We have a time of bible teaching, sung worship, prayer and we provide children’s ministry for 6- month olds in creche age through to year 6 in Explorers. There is also a time for fellowship after the meeting with refreshments provided. We are a culturally diverse but youthful church (average age range 20-40) with a high turnover due to the transient nature of city living and

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

changes in circumstances in this people group. We see ourselves as a ‘sending church’ investing in people for a season aiming to equip believers to then be scattered wherever God takes them.

Our mid-week groups meet in people’s homes across the local area. They consist of individuals and families meeting together to encourage one another with mutual support, bible study and prayer. The groups focus on building a day-to-day gospel presence across the city and are based on geographical location or mission affinity. We have life groups in the City Centre, Burnage, Fallowfield, Longsight, Moss Side, Old Moat, Rusholme, West Didsbury and Withington. The leaders of these groups are supported with monthly training sessions led by Jez and Pete which have had a more structured focus on equipping them for leadership and pastoral care.

We also have a friendly and committed youth ministry for high school students aged 11-17 years old. It meets on a Sunday evening for bible study, discussion and social events. There are currently 9 young people connected with the group. Members of the youth group have helped with decorating the school hall for the Christmas Carol service and playing in the youth band.

Student Ministry

Our student ministry continues to encourage and equip students to grow in their knowledge and joy of the faith and to live and speak for Jesus at university. The team of six is led by Jez and meets weekly in term time in a home, with an average of 18 students attending. There is food, fellowship, and a bible study. They also offer one-to-one ministry and pastoral care in the week. This year they have worked through the book of Romans on a Sunday evening and had a weekend away to Edale in January with bible talks by Jez looking at men and women, gender, sexuality and complementarianism.

A number of the students are on the Exec for the Christian Unions at University, and we seek to support them in these roles. Two of our Students have successfully interviewed and been offered jobs with UCCF following their graduation this year which is an encouragement.

Joel continues in his role as International Student Worker, building relationships with international students and academic visitors. He also runs a number of international events to welcome students and offer an opportunity to investigate the Christian Faith. He also works alongside Friends International with the same purpose.

Staff Changes

In September 2022 Grace Fulford began a one-year voluntary internship at GCM. Grace graduated from the University of Manchester with a Music degree in June 2023, she is an active member of the church and student ministry. This is a self-supporting role, with funds raised through family, friends, and the Sola Trust. A GCM family generously offered to accommodate Grace which assists with her living costs. Grace will give four days a week to GCM serving with Monday Monkeys, children’s and youth ministry, women’s ministry and general church ministry. She is also undertaking the Crosslands foundation course giving her a good basis theological and biblical studies. This is in partnership with City Church Manchester who have offered Grace the opportunity to study ministry formation seminars with their church interns. For two days a week Grace will also volunteer with Image, a Manchester based pregnancy support charity.

Jez Poyner, our Associate Pastor, successfully applied to Oak Hill Theological College to start a fulltime three-year degree in Theology from September 2023. In consultation with the Elders Jez accepted their proposal for him to defer his place at theological college until September 2024. This would be mutually beneficial as Jez continues directing the leadership development group seeking to train new elders and refresh our membership process. It would also give him more time to raise funds for his studies.

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

In April 2023, following a very positive appraisal and feedback from the Church family and leadership Pete Horlock moved from Interim Pastor to Senior Pastor.

In April 2023, Joel Madur, our International Student Worker successfully applied for the role of Ministry Assistant at Dagenham Parish Church. This is a great opportunity for Joel to develop his skills especially in preaching and church leadership. He leaves his post as our International Student Worker at the end of July 2023.

Ally Collins stepped down as a Trustee in July 2023 following 7 years of dedicated and excellent service on the board. We are very grateful to Ally for all the work she has invested improving our operational structures, HR and strategic planning as a charity.

Nigel Tate was appointed a Trustee in June 2022 with his first meeting being October 2022. He brings valuable expertise and experience to help oversee the church finances. He is a member of St Mary’s Church Cheadle.

Training

There have been several training opportunities for both staff and volunteers over the last year.

Mission and Partnership

The church is involved in a range of local outreach initiatives, including the following:

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

the City Council and Alexandria Library.

We continue to work closely with our church plant Redeemer Church in Chorlton supporting them prayerfully and financially. We shared Christmas Day and New Years Day services together, hosted at The Royal Oak Pub. Pete had the privilege of preaching at their 5[th] Anniversary service in June.

Other partnerships include the North West Gospel Partnership and Northern Gospel Project which both help equip and serve the local church through prayer meetings, training days, and informal networks of support offering resources and wisdom to help further the work of the gospel in Manchester and the North West.

We continue to support 6 overseas mission partners both in prayer and financially (£13,523 pa). These include bible translation work and church planting initiatives in France, India, Pakistan and Turkey. Our UK mission partner support includes the Alexandria Lighthouse, Redeemer Church, Friends International, Acts 29 and North West Gospel Partnership (£5,866pa).

The Elders carefully reviewed our longstanding membership with Acts 29 which as an organisation has been addressing its vision and offering to member churches after some significant ministry challenges. We were grateful that Steve Robinson, the Acts 29 UK Director, was able to join one of our elders meetings in September 2022 to answer questions and share the vision for assessing church planters. After careful consideration we decided that we would not renew our membership with the financial commitments entailed from January 2023. However, we continue to support Antalya Protestant Church in Turkey and Redeemer Church Manchester (both Acts 29 churches). We parted on very positive terms and would consider re-joining Acts 29 if we wanted to have a church planter assessed.

b) To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship

As a church, we support the Compassion Food Bank run by the Church of God of Prophecy in Moss Side, co-ordinating donations on a monthly basis. At Christmas we supported The Oasis Centre, Gorton collecting over £1000 worth of toys and gifts for their Christmas present initiative for local families. Our Carol service donations (total of £700) went to support the work of Barnabus Manchester (working to alleviate homelessness) and The River Manchester (supporting survivors of domestic abuse).

Direct relief of hardship has been given to those that have approached the leadership, or been referred by church members. We have continued to support members of the church with illness, including emotional and pastoral needs. Our pastoral care structure aims to provide support practically, as well as

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

providing a system for people to refer issues that are more serious than they feel able to deal with to the elders or other trained members.

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities and who it tries to help are described below. All its charitable activities are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.

A few highlights over the course of the year:

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

another as a church family. On the Sunday after the service we enjoyed a picnic in Whitworth Park.

Financial review

At the end of the reporting period, the charity held cash funds of £45,602. There were no funds in deficit on 30 June 2023.

Reserves Policy

In June 2023, following a financial review, the trustees elected to decrease the level of cash reserves maintained from £30,000 down to £15,000. It is felt this is sufficient to meet any unforeseen commitments. We are above the level of reserves as stated in our reserves policy, although the trustees continue to monitor the financial situation carefully.

Structure, governance and management

The organisation is an unincorporated charity, registered as a charity on 10th February 2005 in England and Wales. The charity is constituted under a trust deed which was last amended on 1st June 2014. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity. All trustees give their time voluntarily. Those who receive benefits from the charity are outlined in note 5 of the accounts. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 5 to the accounts.

In line with the trust deed, a trustee is appointed by a resolution of the trustees passed by a majority. This is recorded in the meeting minutes and signed by the new trustee and the meeting chair as evidence of the appointment. We seek to have external and internal trustees as recommended by the FIEC. All trustees declare their agreement with the Statement of Beliefs.

Related parties and relationships with other organisations

During the course of this financial year, we were members of two external organisations. The first of these is a national group of churches called the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches). The FIEC provides training support for church leaders as well as legal, and governance support for church leadership teams. Pete and Joel attended the national conference in November 2022, both Jez and Pete attend the regional meetings. The second of these is a church planting network called Acts 29, which we joined formally in January 2012. As noted above we concluded our membership in December 2022.

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Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2023

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 22/04/2024 and signed on their behalf by

Sophie Craggs

Trustee

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Independent examiner’s report

to the members of

Grace Church Manchester

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2023 which are set out on pages 10 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparPation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records

I have no concerns and 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.

Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA

Slade & Cooper Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Manchester, M4 6JG

Date 24/04/2024.

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Grace Church Manchester

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 30 June 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
Receipts
Donations, Legacies and Grants
3
139,078
Gift Aid Receipts
24,981
4
460
100
Total receipts
164,619
Payments
82,759
Property Expenses
3,406
Facilities
15,029
Ministry Costs
14,189
Children/Youth Ministry
698
Admin Costs
11,349
Professional Fees
4,009
Grants Payable for
Missionary Support
19,345
Relief of Poverty
1,775
Total payments
152,559
12,060
Transfer between funds
(31,905)
Surplus/(deficit)
(19,845)
Income from Charitable Activities
Net receipts/(payments)
Other Income
Staff Costs including Pensions and
Expenses		 Restricted
funds
£
3,424
-
-
-
3,424
35,329
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
35,329
(31,905)
31,905
-		 Total funds
2023
£
142,502
24,981
460
100
168,043
118,088
3,406
15,029
14,189
698
11,349
4,009
19,345
1,775
187,888
(19,845)
-
(19,845)		 Total funds
2022
£
150,795
18,876
893
60
170,624
100,618
3,434
24,360
7,320
1,029
8,780
4,991
28,310
516
179,358
(8,734)
-
(8,734)

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Grace Church Manchester

Statement of assets and liabilities

as at 30 June 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
65,447
(19,845)
45,602
Assets retained for the charity's own use
Property: 62 The Gallery
Endowment
Cash funds
Bank and cash balances at start of
year
Surplus / (deficit) shown on
receipts and payments account
Bank and cash balances at end
of year		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-		 Total funds
2023
£
65,447
(19,845)
45,602
Cost
£
139,000		 Total funds
2022
£
74,181
(8,734)
65,447

Approved by the trustees on 22/04/2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Sophie (Trustee) Craggs

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Grace Church Manchester

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023

1 Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis.

2 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

3 Income from Donations, Legacies and Grants

Unrestricted
£
Donations, Legacies and Grants
139,078
Gift Aid Receipts
24,981
164,059
Restricted income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted income from donations and legacies		 Restricted
£
3,424
-
3,424
2023
£
3,424
164,059
167,483		 Total 2023
£
142,502
24,981
167,483
2022
£
2,243
167,428
169,671

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Grace Church Manchester

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023 (continued)

4 Receipts from charitable activities

Income from Charitable Activities
Other		 Unrestricted
£
460
100
560		 Restricted
£
-
-
-		 2023
£
460
100
560

5 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration during the year .

Three (three) trustee received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £348 (2022: £542).

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year.

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Grace Church Manchester

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023 (continued)

6 Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Balance
at 1 July
2022
Receipts
£
£
-
3,424
Total
-
3,424
Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds
Balance
at 1 July
2022
Receipts
£
£
65,447
164,619
65,447
164,619
Donations, Legacies and
Grants
General fund		 Payments
£
(35,329)
(35,329)
Payments
£
(152,559)
(152,559)		 Transfers
£
31,905
31,905
Transfers
£
(31,905)
(31,905)		 Balance at
30 June
2023
£
-
-
As at 30
June 2023
£
45,602
45,602

7 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

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