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2024-03-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1110650

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church Receipts and payments accounts

For the year ended

31 March 2024

XAVIERS ACCOUNTANTS LIMITED

Chartered Certified Accountants Suite 3J Recycling Lives Centre 1A Essex Street Preston PR1 1QE

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Pages
Trustees' annual report 1 to 8
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 9
Receipts and payments accounts 10-11

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2024

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church Charity registration number 1110650 Principal office St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Mill Lane West Derby Liverpool L12 7JA The trustees Mr Linz Aiynattu Mr Mathews Varghese Dr George Kuruvilla Mr Kurian Varkey Paulose Mr Dino Kurian Mr Nikson Thomas Mr Aji Paul George Rev Happy Jacob Mr Biju John Mr Laison John Mr Saju Oommen Mr Anzy Skaria HG Abraham Thomas Bishop Mr Shajan Mathew Marucoikal Eappen Mr Sunil Koshy Independent examiner Mijos Xavier ACA, FCCA Xaviers Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Suite 3J Recycling Lives Centre 1A Essex Street Preston PR1 1QE

1

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The trust is an unincorporated trust, constituted under a trust deed dated 18 OCTOBER 2003 and is a registered charity, number 1110650.

Governance and structure

St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Liverpool is a parish affiliated to and constituted by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church also known as the Indian Orthodox church founded in India by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Lord Jesus Christ. This is presently administrated by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholics of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, Successor to the Apostolic Thorne of the St Thomas.

St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Liverpool is under the direct episcopal authority of H.G. Dr. Abraham Mar Stephanos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of UK, Europe and Africa which is subject to the authority of Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

Rev Fr Happy Jacob, the current vicar leads the parish during the report year whose spiritual and administrative contributions helped in the growth of the church.

General Body and Managing Committee Meeting Office Bearers for the year 2023 - 2024

Annual General Body Meeting held on 5th March 2023 unanimously elected the Managing Committee for the 2023 – 2024 as follows:

The election has been approved by Diocesan Metropolitan vide order No. E- 028/AMS/ 2023 on the 10th of March 2023.

Hon. Secretary - Mr Shajan Mathew Marucoikal Eappen

Hon. Treasurer - Mr Sunil Koshy

Committee Member - Mr Anzy Skaria

Committee Member - Mr Aji Paul George

Committee Member - Mr Linz Aiynattu

Committee Member - Mr Dino Kurian

Committee Member - Mr Laison John

Committee Member - Mr M V Mathews

Ex - Officio - Mr Saju Oommen

Internal Auditor - Mr M G Koshy

2

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

Ammos Representative - Mr Linz Aiynattu

Sunday School Representative - Mrs Blessy Shajan

MMVS Representative - Mrs Elizabeth Biju

OCYM Representative – Mr Rijo John Mathew

Malankara Syrian Christian Association Representative – Mr Sunil Mathew 2022-2027

Diocesan Representative 2023-2028 - Mr Anil George, Mr Anzy Skaria

Church Custodian Trustees - H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos, Dr George Kuruvilla, Mr Linz Aiynattu

Mr. Anil George & Mr Anzy Skaria has been elected as the Diosesan Representative (2023 -2028) on the general body meeting held on 7th May 2023.

The general Body which is held on 7th May 2023 (GB2023 – 2024/01) approved the Budget for the year 2023 - 2024. Hon Treasurer Mr. Sunil Koshy presented budget for the year 2023– 2024.

The Half - Yearly General Body held on the 12th November 2023 discussed the half yearly account.

The general body met 4 times & the Managing Committee met 12 times during the year 2023-2024 to plan and co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of the church. All the church members and committee members cooperation, dedication and hard work played a pivotal role in the spiritual and general growth of the church.

Objectives and activities

Objectives of the Charity

Charity's objectives are to provide a cultural religious and socio-religious base for the Indian Orthodox Community in the Merseyslde, Warrington and Chester area. In setting our objectives, and planning our activities, we have given careful consideration to Charity Commission's guidelines on public benefit.

3

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance

The following activities were held aiming towards the achievement of the said objectives.

Worship and Pastoral Care

The Holy Qurbana is celebrated every Sunday of every month which commences with morning prayer at 8:00 am and Holy Qurbana at 9:00 am. Refreshment served after Holy Qurbana. Holy Qurbana in English is conducted every fourth Sunday of the month.

Feast of Patron Saints ( Perunnal )

Holy Week Service

Passion Week Services was conducted by Rev Fr Happy Jacob. We were blessed with evening prayers at church, and everyone had the opportunity for Holy Confession. We had 2 Holy weeks during this financial year 2023-2024 Holy Weeks were celebrated on the following dates:

  1. 2nd April 2023 to 8th April 2023

  2. 24th March 2024 to 30th March 2024

Convention and Harvest Festival

We have celebrated our Convention on 14th of October, which was led by Rev. Fr. Binu Thomas. Harvest festival was on 15th of October 2023. It was a fruitful and colourful event, and everyone have witnessed a wonderful cultural programme. All our Parish members have contributed towards the to fulfil the needs of our church and we have collected £ 12,750.00. Youth had conducted a Raffle.

Christmas Celebrations & Feast of St Thomas (Perunnal )

  1. Our church celebrated the Christmas carol singing & nativity play by Sunday school children on 16th December 2023.

  2. Feast of St Thomas, our Patron Saint was celebrated on 17th December 2023. Holy Qurbana followed by Procession (Raasa), Benediction and Nercha Vilambu. ( Perunnal feast)

Carol Service - House Visit

This year we have conducted the house visit carol singing for 5 days, which were on 18th & 25th of November and 2nd,9th and 23rd of December 2023.

Christmas Service ( Yeldo Perunnal )

Christmas Eve - 24th December 2023

Ecumenical Carol Service

This year we had the ecumenical carol service conducted on 30th Saturday 2023. Carmal Marthoma Church joined for the service.

New Year Service

The church had New Year Service Holy Qurbana on New Years Eve 31st December 2023

Parish Day

We have celebrated our parish day on 28th of January 2024 which have been coordinated by Mr. Sunil Mathew & Mrs. Sijimol Chackochen. All the spiritual organisations have presented their annual reports.

Rhythm of Warrington have performed Chenda Melam on the stage which was a spectacular performance. Parish members have conducted various programmes, followed by prize distribution for Sunday School Children. Youth has organised a raffle ticket. MMVS has organized snacks for the evening.

6

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Events

Charity Projects

We have contributed

  1. £1000.00 towards the charity for Karunya Vishranti Bhavan in Trivandrum.

  2. £250.00 towards Abin Varghese Jacob treatment in St Marys Orthodox Cathedral in Puthencavu, Chengannur.

  3. £1523.00 contributed towards Support the Children's Charity fundraising Candle Lighters Trust in UK during the last financial year 2023-2024

Picnic

We had a one-day picnic from our church on 2nd of September 2023 to Lake District, Buttermere which was organised by Mr Anzy Skariah & Mr Biju John. 82 members participated in the church picnic.

Meet and Greet

We have organised a meet and greet on 16th September 2023 from 10 am to 6 pm in our church to meet and greet the new members. Barbeque chicken, Burger, Sausage, Salad & Kappa was provided. Games were organised by the Youth members. 50 families participated and it was a memorable event.

Onam

We have celebrated Onam in our church with delicious Onam Sadhya on 27th of September after Holy Qurbana. 350 members were present for the Onam sadhya. Thanks to the coordinators Mrs Sneha Bose and Mrs Mariamma Shaji for their efforts to make the event a success.

Diocesan Events

The following events are hosted by our church during 2023-2024

  1. Diocesan meeting – 29th May 2023

  2. North Zone Sunday School Talent Competition – 24th June 2023

  3. OCYM North Zone Meeting- 21st October 2023

Cover Collection

We sent contribution for Diocesan, Catholicate Day, Sunday school, Seminary and Mission Sunday every year.

Spiritual Organisation

Sunday School

Sunday school classes were held every Sunday after the Holy Qurbana. 112 students were enrolled from reception to year 12. We would like to thank Head Teacher - Mrs Blessy Shajan along with 23 dedicated teachers for their efforts towards all the activities of Sunday School.

Sunday school children contribution is sent to Diocese yearly. Teachers attended the online zonal teachers meeting and zonal meetings.

North Zone Talent Competition was conducted in our church on 24th June 2023 and our children have actively participated in the event. All the Sunday school teachers actively involved in the event to make the day a success. Also, we had children who participated in the Diocesan level in Crawley.

OVBS was conducted from November 2nd to 5th 2023. OVBS was coordinated by Mrs Sony Aiynattu , Rachel Santhosh and Kurian Varkey. 82 children attended

the OVBS from seeds to fruits. Thanks to the coordinators, teachers, volunteers and to those who have contributed financially to make the event a success.

6

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

OCYM Activities

We have 35 OCYM members in our church and they are active in worships and other church activities. We would like to thank all the members of youth movement for their countless efforts and hard work.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Youth Secretary Mr Rijo John Mathew & Treasurer Miss Livia Mary Chacko for their hard work and coordination during 2023 -2024. OCYM actively involves in all church events like Meet and Greet, Parish Day, Harvest Festival, Picnic, Christmas, Carol rounds and Ecumenical Christmas singing.

OCYM played a significant role in the charity walk of 12.05 miles in collaboration with Candle lighters to raise money for children affected with cancer. In addition to this they have participated in the Peak Challenge and raised £1523.

MMVS

13th Annual Report of Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam of St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Liverpool. Every month MMVS is conducting prayer meeting on the last Friday in church. Also, we are having meeting after our Holy Qurbana every Sunday under the leadership of Rev Fr Happy Jacob. Thank you, Achen, for your inspiring messages and spiritual leadership. We would like to thank Mrs Elizabeth Biju for her efforts towards all the activities of MMVS.

20 members attended the North Zone Conference Meeting in Manchester St George Orthodox Church on 17th June 2023. 15 MMVS members have attended the MMVS exam and in Pre-Super Senior – Mrs Saly Koshy won first prize and in Seniors – Mrs Elizabeth Biju won first prize in Diocesan level.

AMOSS Liverpool

We have 24 altar boys to serve the Altar who are dedicated to do their allocated assignments. We would like to congratulate Mr Linz Aiyanattu for coordinating the Altar boys. Also thanking our Vicar Rev Fr Happy Jacob for educating and guiding our altar boys.

We are expecting every parish member prayer and support for all our future services in Altar. And we are grateful for all the parents who are taking initiative to bring their kids before the Holy Qurbana.

Visits

The parish duly acknowledge the visits of the following Bishops and priests during the year 2022-2023.

Visits of Bishop

  1. 29th May 2023 - Our Diocesan Bishop H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos

  2. 29th October 2023 - Northeast American Diocesan Bishop H. G. Zachariah Mar Nicholovos

Visit of Priests

We had 4 priests visited for different occasions during this year.

  1. Very. Rev. Fr. Peter Thomas Ramban - 16/07/2023

  2. Rev. Fr. Saji John - 20/08/2023

  3. Rev. Fr. Joseph K John - 27/08/2023

  4. Rev. Fr. Varghese T Mathew - 10/03/2024

Farewell meeting

We have given farewell to the church members who has migrated to Australia. We can assure that you will be remembered in our prayers as you start your new journey of life in Australia.

  1. Mr Nyjin Abraham Varghese & Mrs Susan Nyjin

  2. Mr Anson Thomas & Mrs Ruby Anson

  3. Mr Rijo Karthattil Varkey & Mrs Anju Rijo

7

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Birthday & Wedding Anniversary

All the church members birthday and wedding anniversary are remembered during the Holy Qurbana every week. Birthday & Wedding anniversary cards are sent to their house. Every week Priest wishes and remembers in the Holy Qurbana

Deshatthu Pattakkar

Our church is blessed to have 3 priests as church members.

  1. Rev Fr Eldo P Varghese

  2. Rev Fr Binu Thomas

  3. Rev Fr Shaiju K Mathai

Felicitation

Our Church acknowledges and appreciates yearly GCSE, A levels & Graduates including Sunday school year 10 and year 12.

Financial review

The charity's principal funding source is from donations of £xxxx (2023: £76,503). Overheads remained fairly consistent.

Reserve policy

It is policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately twelve months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs.

Conclusion & Word of thanks

Let me thank God Almighty for giving the opportunity to serve as the secretary of this blessed Parish. My sincere thanks to our Diocesan Bishop H.G.Abraham Mar Stephanos, Parish Vicar Rev Fr Happy Jacob, Hon Treasurer Mr Sunil Koshy and all Committee members and all parish members for the support and guidance to me to complete the tenure.

Let me conclude by expressing my sincere gratitude for all who supported me throughout this year. May the intercession and prayers of Saint Mary, our Patron Saint Thomas, Saint George and all other Saints lead his Parish and us to greater heights in the future.

We pledge our loyalty to His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews lll, the successor on the apostolic throne of St Thomas, The Catholicos of the East and to our Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Dr. Abraham Mar Stephanos

May God bless us all.

The trustees' annual report was approved and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mr Shajan Mathew Marucoikal Eappen Trustee

Date: 8 December 2024

8

St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church

Year ended 31 March 2024

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 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 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mijos Xavier ACA, FCCA Independent Examiner

Xaviers Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Suite 3J Recycling Lives Centre 1A Essex Street Preston PR1 1QE

Date: 8 December 2024

9

ST. THOMAS INDIAN (MALANKARA) 1110650 ORTHODOX CHURCH

Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total funds Last year
to the nearest
£
to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Donations and collections 78,353 - - 78,353 47,391
Events and Spiritual Organisations 16,704 - - 16,704 11,633
HMRC Gift aid 23-24 13,626 - - 13,626 15,437
Badminton Club 185 - - 185 -
Church Hall rent income 3,405 - - 3,405 910
Sunday Goods Offering 385 - - 385 197
Refund From SSEgas - - - - 935
Building Fund donation 1,500 - - 1,500 -
Steel Plates 935 - - 935 -
Cheque issued but not cleared this
year
1,541 - - 1,541
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
116,633 - - 116,633 76,503
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
A2 Asset and investment
sales, (see table).
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
Sub total
~~—————~~
-
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ 116,633
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
Total receipts
~~—————~~
116,633
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ -
~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ 76,503
~~—————~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
~~—~~
~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~ ~~—————~~
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
~~—~~
Total funds Last year
to the nearest
£
to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A3 Payments
Event expenses 30,953 - - 30,953 14,199
Charity & Diocesian contribution 3,465 - - 3,465 2,100
Spiritual Organisations 3,370 - - 3,370 2,331
Miscellaneous expenses 701 - - 701 2,133
Clergy payments(Trustee) 20,250 - - 20,250 9,000
Clergy payments 1,650 - - 1,650 2,651
Furniture & fittings 5,727 - - 5,727
Building Maintenance & Utility 22,165 - - 22,165 14,681
Loan Repayment 3,327 - - 3,327 16,327
Outstanding expenses cleared for
previousyear
2,300 - - 2,300 -
- - -
**Sub total ** 93,908 - - 93,908 63,422
~~==~~ ~~==~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
~~==~~
~~==~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~
~~==~~ -
~~==~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ ~~=~~
~~==~~ -
~~==~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ ~~=~~
Sub total
~~==~~
-
~~==~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~==~~ ~~==~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~ ~~=~~
Total payments
~~==~~
93,908
~~==~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ -
~~=~~
~~=~~ 93,908
~~=~~
~~=~~ 63,422
~~=~~
~~==~~
~~===~~
~~==~~
~~===~~
~~=~~
~~===~~
~~=~~
~~===~~
~~=~~
~~===~~
~~=~~
~~===~~
~~=~~
~~=~~
~~——~~
~~=~~
~~——~~
~~=~~
~~——~~
Net of receipts/(payments)
~~===~~
22,726
~~===~~
726
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
- 22
~~===~~
- 22
- 22,726
~~——~~
726
~~——~~
13,082
~~——~~
A5 Transfers between funds
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
-
~~——~~
~~——~~ -
~~——~~
A6 Cash funds lastyear end
~~===~~
26,246
~~===~~
246
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
- -
~~===~~
26,246
~~——~~
~~——~~ 13,164
~~——~~
Cash funds thisyear end
~~===~~
48,971
~~===~~
971
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
-
~~===~~
- 48
~~===~~
- 48
- 48,971
~~——~~
~~——~~ 26,246
~~——~~
~~===~~ ~~===~~ ~~===~~ ~~===~~ ~~===~~ ~~=== ~~ ~~——~~ ~~——~~ ~~——~~

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories Details Details Details Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash at bank 47,831 - -
Cash in hand (Deposited on 5th April
2024)
1,140 - -
- -
Total cash funds 48,971 - -
(agree balances w ith receipts and payments
account(s))
OK OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets - - -
- - -
- - -
Details Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional) Current value
(optional)
B3 Investment assets - -
- -
- -
Details Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional) Current value
(optional)
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
Church building renovation costs Unrestricted 290,275 -
-
Details Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
When due
(optional)
B5 Liabilities HSBC Bounce Back Loan Unrestricted 9,355
Cheques to be cleared Unrestricted -
-
Signed by trustees on behalf of all
the trustees
Signature Print Name Date of
approval
Mr Sunil Koshy 08-Dec-24

10-11