2020-12-31-accounts - Westgate Evangelical Chapel

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WESTGATE EVANGELICAL CHAPEL TRUSTEES REPORT 2020

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136 v 1)

As we reflect on the past year we can look back with thankful hearts at the Lord’s faithfulness to us as a fellowship. The Global Pandemic which we have all had to face over the past year has been unprecedented. At the end of March 2020, along with all other churches in the country, we were put into a lockdown situation meaning we were unable to meet together for worship.

The challenges which this situation brought about forced us to see how ministry could be delivered to the Fellowship. Our thanks go to our Pastor Edward who recorded two messages each week from his home which we were able to upload to our YouTube channel. This enabled all in the Fellowship and beyond to access ministry. For those who did not have access to the Internet, the messages were produced on CDs and delivered to their homes. The messages were also printed on sheets and delivered to those who wanted a written copy.

Total lockdown ended in June 2020 and churches were allowed to hold services as long as social distancing and hygiene regulations were complied with. This we were able to do and it was so good to be able to meet together again after the months of lockdown. We only held a morning service as this would eliminate the need for a full cleaning of the building before an evening service could be held.

In December another lockdown was instigated but this time Churches were allowed to remain open so we continued wih our Morning Services.

From March to December an on-line prayer meeting was held on Zoom every Tuesday evening and a prayer meeting in church was held every Wednesday afternoon. In March a ‘WhatsApp’ group on mobile phones was also created for the Fellowship, giving a forum for everyone to easily keep in touch with each other.

On November 14[th] a number of people in the Fellowship took part in the Tear Fund ‘Big Quiz’ night on-line.+-

Again this year the Lord has richly blessed us through the Pastor’s ministry, together with the ministry of visiting speakers. As a fellowship we are committed to the faithful proclamation of the Gospel and weekly Bible studies and prayer meeting.

The Sunday School lessons were produced on-line during the lockdown period and the leaflets were delivered to the childrens’ homes. The Sunday School returned to meeting in the Church when Services resumed in June.

Just before lockdown in March, we were due to start The Bible Study course ‘God’s Big Picture.’ Unfortunately, this was unable to start but it is hoped to run it in 2021.

From March to December singing was prohibited in Churches. We are very thankful to the Evangelical Movement of Wales and Music Ministry who freely made recordings of hymns and modern songs available on-line for any churches to make use of. These were truly a great resource and we are very thankful to Eira and Rosey for choosing songs which were played in our services each week.

Sadly, we were unable to hold the Parent and Toddler Group from March to December. It is hoped that this will be restarted when regulations permit in 2021. Care homes were particularly hard hit during the pandemic with no visits being permitted so we were not able to make our regular visits to Ashdale and Apley Lodge.

Westgate again took part in the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox appeal, ensuring that children around the world received gifts at Christmas. This year we had an option of choosing gifts on line to fill a box as many shops still remained closed.

As we move forward as a church we pray for God’s wisdom to guide us in all decisions and look to glorify Him in everything that we do.

Regarding our Finances, God has blessed us with so many blessings over this last year. All of Westgate’s income, comes from the giving of those who attend the fellowship here and from those who visit us occasionally or whilst on holiday. A special thank you to all of you.

A huge thank you to all who continued to give during the time of lockdown. Many gave funding through Standing Orders and Bank Transfers, whilst others manually gave their gifts to the Treasurer. We cannot thank you enough for your support. Without regular committed giving, we would not be able to provide the support necessary for a Pastor and family. Neither would we be able to meet in a comfortable building, read from Bibles or sing hymns with musical accompaniment.

The Scriptures emphasise the need to support those who work for the Lord and we are given good guidance about financial provision. In 1 Corinthians 16:2 we read, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him

in store, as God has prospered him”. We are encouraged to set aside at the start of the week, a portion of that which God has prospered us with. As with any registered charity, the government allows us to claim back some tax already paid on any offering given to Westgate, through a scheme called “Gift Aid”. Many within the fellowship already allow the church to benefit from this provision. If you pay tax, providing some basic information of address, postcode and date just once and signing, is all that needs to be done.

We continue to apply the scriptural principal of tything our income, giving to a number to Missionary organisations.

We are very thankful to have received a donation for the installation of lift in the Church building. This will be a huge help to many in the church who struggle to negotiate the stairs.

As can be seen in the financial report there was an underspend of expenditure over income in the year amounting to just over £27,650.

Independent Examiner’s Report

For the Trustees of

WESTGATE EVANGELICAL CHAPEL

I have examined the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020. Based on my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, accounting records have not been kept in accordance with section 221 of the Companies Act, 1985, or that the accounts presented do not accord with those records, or comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 1985. No matter has come to my notice in connection with my examination to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts.

Gareth Hopkins ACIB 33 Cleggar Park Lamphey PEMBROKE Pembs

23 February 2021

WESTGATE EVANGELICAL CHAPEL Slatement of Financial Activities FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 Summary Income and Expenditure Account Current Account Savings Account Total Funds 2019 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income Investment Interest 67.908 67,8 16 16 Total Incoming Resources 67,908 16 67,924 RESOURCES EXPENDED CharitalAe activities 40,241 40,241 Total Resources expended 40,241 40,241 Net Movement in Funds 27,666 16 27,682 Transfers between Funds -20,000 20,000 FurKI Balances at 1 Jan 2020 43,611 47,259 Fund Balances al 31 tkn 2020 11,314 63,627 74,941