2024-06-30-accounts

Charity Number: 1108310

Grace Church Manchester

Report and financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2024

Grace Church Manchester

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 30 June 2024

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 follow

Alison Collins Trustee (To July 2023) Dr. Sophie Craggs Trustee Clare Irwin Trustee (From June 2024) Rev. Stephen James Trustee (External to GCM resigned June 2024) Rev. Dr. Rohintan Mody Trustee (External to GCM from June 2024) Nnamdi Okolie Trustee Nigel Tate Trustee (External to GCM)

Staff Peter Horlock Senior Pastor Jeremy Poyner Associate Pastor Joel Madur International Student Worker (to July 2023) Emily Horlock Administrator Grace Fulford Ministry Development Worker (from September 2023)

Bankers The Co-operative Bank PO Box 10 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP

Independent Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Examiner Slade & Cooper Beehive Mill Jersey Street Manchester M4 6JG

1

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.

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.

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 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 remain 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 2023-2024 financial year in relation to our charitable objectives are described below.

a) To advance the Christian faith

Sunday Services and Mid-week groups

2

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

The church does not have its own building and so continues to hire out a local school on a Sunday morning for our weekly meetings. There are around 115 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 creche age through to year 6. 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 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 Burnage, Fallowfield, Longsight, Moss Side, Old Moat, Rusholme, West Didsbury and Withington. The Leaders of these groups are supported with monthly training sessions which have had a more structured focus on equipping them for leaderships and pastoral care across the ages with a focus on the children and young people connected to the Life groups. In March Jez focused on how to disciple and include students in life groups over the last year.

We have a growing youth ministry that meets on a Sunday evening for High School students. Preparations were made for an influx of youth from September 2024, including securing a local community centre for their meetings from September.

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 16 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 Luke on a Sunday evening and had a weekend away to Edale in January with teaching on Men and Women in the Church. We have students that are on the executive committee for the Christian Unions at University, and we seek to support them in these roles.

Staff Changes

Grace Fulford began in a paid role as our Ministry Development worker in September 2023.

Joel Madur moved with his family down to London to serve as an assistant Minister at Dagenham Parish Church in August 2023.

3

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

Jez Poyner continued to work as Associate Pastor at Grace Church having deferred his place at Oakhill Theological College until September 2024. Preparations continued to be made for his departure including continued investment in the Eldership Development Group and plans for the ongoing Student Ministry.

Following four years on the board, Steve James stepped down as a Trustee in June 2024. We are incredibly thankful for his wisdom over the last few years, guiding us through a number of staff and structural changes as a church and the Covid pandemic.

We appointed two new Trustees. Clare Irwin is a member of Grace Church, having joined as a student and staying to work in Manchester and start a family. She brings expertise in legal and policy documentation. Rev. Dr. Rohintan Mody has been appointed as a second external Trustee. He is the Director of the North West Partnership and brings valuable expertise in ministry.

Training

There have been many training opportunities for both Staff and Volunteers over the last year.

• Growing young disciples training day was attended by 13 of our youth and children’s volunteer leaders.

• External Safeguarding Training for all staff and volunteers

• A small number of men continue to meet regularly to explore the possibility of eldership with an assessment survey completed by all of them and followed up with Jez and Pete.

• Pete attended online Oak Hill lectures and Crosslands seminars

• Care for the Family online ‘parenting teens’ course organised and attended by a number of families.

• Pete attended training on grief and bereavement support in the church

• Grace began the Growing Young Disciples Fortify youth course in Jan 2024

• Pete attended the FIEC leadership conference

• Grace attended a Growing Young Disciples conference for full time workers.

Mission and Partnership

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

• Running a weekly toddler group for pre-school children with the aim of providing support and friendship to parents and carers.

• Running a community choir in Fallowfield twice a month. They perform at local events throughout the year including our Christmas Carol Service.

• Helping with weekly online English conversation and grammar classes with people referred by the City Council and Alexandria Library.

• Meeting regularly to clean up a local park in the Old Moat ward to serve the community.

• Partnering with Friends International’s iCafé initiative, providing a conversation cafe for international students and academic visitors.

4

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

• Grace set up a lunchtime choir at a local school.

• One of our church members set up a 6-a-side Mens football team to be part of local league

• Women’s ministry events which include a weekly bible study, monthly book club, termly breakfasts and social meet ups.

• Men’s events have been held this year including a breakfast which was well attended.

• We co-hosted a Good Friday service and ran a Brephos seminar on abortion awareness with Union Hall.

• We ran an evangelistic course 3-2-1 attended by 5 people in January 2024

• Pete was involved in the Uni of Manchester’s Grill a Pastor panel event attended by 50 students.

We work closely with a number of local churches (Union Hall, Redeemer, City Church) to help equip and serve one another sharing resources, training opportunities and wisdom to help further the work of the gospel in Manchester.

We also continue to support 6 of mission partners around the world both in prayer and financially. These include a number of church planting and leadership initiatives in France, Pakistan and Turkey.

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

As a church, we had a charity collection during our Christmas services for The River Manchester.

Direct relief of hardship has been given to those that have approached the leadership or been referred by members, with two recipients over this financial year.

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 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.

• 28 new church members joined GCM in two inductions in October and December 2023, making a total of 77 church members in 2023. We had new undergraduate and graduate students begin attending the church with the new academic year.

• We have also seen people move on from Grace church with fond farewells and sent with our prayers into their next season of life.

• There were 3 GCM marriages with Pete preaching at one and officiating one.

5

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

• Pete led the funeral for the husband of a long standing member of Grace Church who remarkably accepted Jesus as saviour in the days before his death.

• We were delighted to see two people were baptised in early 2024.

• We welcomed 2 new babies into our church family

• We continue to have a large team of volunteers who serve both on Sunday morning and throughout the week.

• Monthly prayer meetings and the women’s monthly book club are well attended.

• We have a Safeguarding team that oversees the documents, training and recruitment needed to keep our volunteers above reproach.

• We have a finance team that oversee the church finances, sharing relevant information with the church family at quarterly church family meetings and also liasing with the Trustees.

A few highlights:

• The ‘Joy in Giving’ campaign in November 2023 saw the church members raise circa £24k in one off gifts which will fund our Ministry Development worker and a £2500pm increase in regular giving. Our Overseas Mission Partners will receive a 10% increase to their monthly gifts.

• The Church has received teaching on a number of topics and biblical series including cross cultural mission, The Lord’s Prayer, Exodus and the doctrine of Christ.

• There was a three part series on ‘Being Human. Living in the light of the resurrection’ which explored mental health and beginning and end of life issues. The series included interviews with church members with lived experience and was both engaging and encouraging.

• In December, two church members kindly hosted the staff at their home for a valuable planning day which included a discussion of the Gallup Strengthsfinder assessments to help develop our team work. Forward planning included preparations for Jez’ departure in July to start theological training in London.

• The church held two carol services with attendance of 162 at the traditional service and 110 at the family carols including a number of guests.

• Women’s Christmas craft night which welcomed some members of other outreach groups like the community choir and parent and toddler group.

• Mens Christmas bowling social saw many attend with some church members bringing friends, it was a fun and inclusive event.

• In May a Grace Church couple generously organised and hosted a men's breakfast in the Withington Methodist Church hall which was massively well received and enjoyed by all. There was a feast of cooked food, a time of sung worship and a short talk and reflection.

• The students enjoyed a weekend in Edale in February attended by 22 students and leaders, there was time for teaching, fellowship, food and a very wet walk.

6

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

• Womens ministry continues with termly breakfasts, a monthly book club and social meet ups.

• The Church ‘Weekend at Home’ took place in June. The progressive dinner on Friday night was attended by around 50 adults. The Fun Day on Saturday at Birchfield Community Centre was attended by 72 adults and 25 0-18yrs and involved crafts, walks, and many games. The weekend concluded with a Church picnic on Sunday. The weekend was intentionally flexible, all-age inclusive, and unhurried - the aim was for hurch members to deepen their friendships and enjoy fellowship.

Financial review

Reserves policy

We continue to hold reserve funds of £15,000 which is felt sufficient to meet any unforeseen needs or commitments.

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 attended the Leadership conference in November 2023 and both Jez and Pete attended their regional meeting in May. We pay an annual membership support gift to the North West Gospel Partnership. Whilst this is not a

7

Grace Church Manchester

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 30 June 2024

subscription, it helps support the work of the partnership which we benefit from throughout the year.

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:

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

• Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended

• practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

● 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 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 01/04/2025 and signed on their behalf by

Name: DR. SOPHIE CRAGGS

Title: Trustee

8

Grace Church Manchester

Independent examiner’s report

to the members of

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2024 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: 22/04/2025

9

Grace Church Manchester Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 30 June 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Note Receipts Donations, Legacies and Grants Gift Aid Receipts Income from Charitable Activities Other Income 182,810 36,553 502 9,125 2,833 185,643 36,553 502 9,125 142, 502 24,981 460 loo Total recelpts 228,990 2,833 231,823 168,043 Payments Staff Costs including Pensions and Expenses Property Expenses Faci lities Ministry Costs Children/Youth Ministry Admin Costs Professional Fees Grants Payable for Missionary Support Relief of Poverty 95,237 10,197 15,958 15,382 840 10,069 4,129 34,434 129,671 10,197 15,958 15,382 840 10,069 4,129 118,088 3,406 15,029 14,189 698 11,349 4,009 19,233 821 19,233 821 19,345 1, 775 Total payments 171,866 34,434 206,300 187,888 Net receipts/(payments) 57,124 (31,601) 25,523 (19,845) Transfer between funds (31,601) 31,601 Surplus/(deficit) 25,523 25,523 (19,845) io

Grace Church Manchester Statement of assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Note Cash funds Bank and cash balances at start of year Surplus / Ideficit) shown on receipts and payments account 45,602 45,602 65,447 25,523 25,523 (19,845) Bank and cash balances at end of year 71,125 71,125 45,602 Assets retained for the charity's own use Cost Property.. 62 The Gallery Endowment 139,000 Approved by the trustees on 0110412025 and signed on their behalf by.. Sophie Craggs (Trustee) li

Grace Church Manchester Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 lune 2024 Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis. 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. Income from Donations, Legacies and Grants Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Donations, Legacies and Grants Gift Aid Receipts 182,810 36,553 2,833 185,643 36,553 219,363 2,833 222,196 2024 2023 Restricted income from donations and legacies Unrestricted income from donations and legacies 2,833 219,363 3,424 164, 059 222,196 167,483 12

Grace Church Manchester Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024 (continued) Receipts from charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Income from Charitable Activities other 502 9,125 502 9,125 9,627 9,627 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions Neither trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration during the year One trustee received travel and subsistence expenses durinq the year of £43 {2023'. £348}. No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charityi including guarantees, during the year. 13

Grace Church Manchester Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024 (continued) Analysis of movements in restricted funds Balance at l July 2023 Balance at 30 June 2024 Recei pts Payments Transfers Donations, Legacies and Grants 2,833 (34,434) 31,601 Total 2,833 (34,434) 31,601 Analysis of movement in unrestrirted funds Balance at l July 2023 Asat30 June 2024 Recei pts Payments Transfers General fund 45,602 228,990 (171,866) {31,601) 71,125 45,602 228,990 (171,866) (31,601) 71,125 14