ST GEORGE’S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
https://www.st-georges-urc-hemel.org.uk/
106a Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 2HX. 01442 216597.
admin@st-georges-urc-hemel.org.uk
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
St George’s United Reformed Church Charity is a local church of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, and is a member church of Thames North Synod of the Church. It was registered on 16[th] September 2009 as Charity Number 1131706. The members of the Elders and Minister are recognised as the charity trustees.
Trustees
Paul Stein (Minister) Caryl Horscroft Bryan Cox Julia Brown Tracy Malan Sarah Adamson Jeremy O’Mara Margaret O’Mara
The Church building and the manse at 106 Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX are vested in Synod Trust as trustees and held for the benefit of St George’s URC in accordance with the trusts applicable to URC properties.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The activities of St George’s United Reformed Church are overseen by the Elders’ Meeting of the Church in accordance with the provisions of The Structure of the United Reformed Church determined by the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, and supplemented by the rules of St George’s Church. The governing document of the registered charity is a statement adopted by the Church Meeting on 13[th] July 2009. The Elders’ Meeting is responsible for the financial administration of the Church, and the care and maintenance of Church premises and the manse. The Church Meeting (of all members wishing to attend) gives general guidance on the life and work of the Church.
The members of the Elders Meeting are the minister in pastoral charge and up to twelve members of St George’s Church nominated and elected by the members of St George’s Church in Church Meeting. Elders serve for three years. They may or choose to continue on a yearly basis or retire and are eligible for re-election in the future. The members of the Elders’ Meeting are the trustees of the registered charity during their period of service as elders.
Since November 2022 we have become a Joint URC pastorate with Adeyfield Free Church Maylands Plaza, Maylands Ave, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4GZ.
The Elders’ Meetings 9-10 times during the year. The Church Meetings met three times. Joint Elders meetings quarterly.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
As a local congregation of the United Reformed Church, St George’s seeks to advance the Christian religion through its activities and the facilities offered to the community by its building, and described more specifically in its mission statement as ‘Making mature and active disciples of Jesus Christ who worship God and show God’s love inside and outside the church.’
The Elders’ Meeting is aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in "The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit" and has regard to it in the administration of the Church.
The Elders’ Meeting believes that, the Church provides benefit to the public by:
• providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and spiritual, moral and intellectual development, both for the congregation and for anyone else who wishes to benefit from what the Church offers;
• promoting Christian values and service by members of the congregation to the community, for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Worship Services are held weekly with an average attendance of 25-40. Joint services at either St George’s or Adeyfield free Church average attendance of 50-70
We share worship with Adeyfield free Church and run joint services at both churches at least four times a year.
Toddler Group – Run weekly with average attendance of 40 parents & toddlers
Wednesday Welcome – The group meet weekly and enjoy a range of talks and outings – average attendance 35
Knit N Natter – The group meet weekly. Average attendance 12 also enjoy outings.
Homegroups, Bible Studies and prayer meetings run during the week in members’ homes or on Zoom
We work with local schools in in-school assemblies and supporting the teaching staff by running RE lessons and visits to the Church. We also facilitate special event assemblies in Church
We work with other churches for town wide events and we invite people from our community into church activities and one-off events such as Friendship teas, Christmas
socials, games evenings and Church fayres. We also share in joint social events with Adeyfield Free Church.
We support local, national and international charities with time, money and prayer
We engage in worldwide mission through financial support and with people occasionally going abroad to support practically.
We hire out our halls during the week to NHS Mother and baby clinics, karate club, Rehab exercise class, Stroke association, Dementia singing group and WI.
We periodically hold activity clubs during the school holidays for children and young people.
We run Alpha courses and other one-off teaching events periodically.
We have an active membership, and almost everyone is involved in the work of the church in some way.
We have a Building Management Group who oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings.
St Georgos URC H8mGI HeMld FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECa18ER 2024 RECEIFyfs AND PAYMEKfs ACCOUNT Year 2024 Tclal £ LastYe3r 2023 Tcéal £ F¥ £ FI5 £ F£ RECEIPTS Voluntary Income Investment Income Actlvitles or Fund Ralsln8 Income from Chafltable actfvlty Events Manse Rental 33,993 42.540.00 159.00 1,170.00 3.591.00 18.( 1,170 3.591 18,000 177 4.013 14.400 Cash in hand Hall Hire 13.386 13.386 14,863 Total rgcdp 33,993 00 44.892.00 78,885.00 72,981 PAYMENTS URC Payments Worship Outreach Fellowsh5p Dlsclpleship Fund Ralslng costs Mlnlsterial Costs Property Donation5 Events Governance Church Worker 21,925 21.925 1)J 1.605.00 4.319 00 7.325.00 176 245 4,142 8.979 3,861 7.182 2.419 4,191 4.187 127 120 2.468.lJO 19.753.thJ 4,167.00 974.00 120.fy) 6,293 22.405 5,752 313 110 15.561 847 Totsl paymont• NET RECEIPTS I IPAYMENrs) TFiANSFERS bolwMn lund• CASH FUNDS ld 1 January CASH FUNDS clfwd 31 Decemtr 35.076 27,580.00 62.8S7.fKI 50,897 -793 17.312. 16.228 00 22.284 40.84100 .1.084. 40,048 84,560 00 102.324 40.048 00 100.788 00 14 .836 00 124.608 STATeMENT OF A83ETS AND LIABILITIE8 General a¢Gcwnl Pr(yrty AnI Youth W¢Jrk Pastoral aecwnl Wo(Ine8day Wdcom8 Pilots A¢ctyJnl Tc*thJlers Acctyjrrt Church Worker Manse R181 Events Account 40.048. 19,110.00 72,288.00 59.158.1 72,288.Tr) 80.382 4.244 2.655.00 370.00 787.Th) 4.244.(Kl 2.655. 370. 787.LTh) 4,134 3,061 1.336 00 1.336.00 1,336 124.608 40,048 00 100.788.00 140.836 (fvj Otr a•#ets Gwt Recowat4e 8,700 A••gts uJ•d for purpoM• Buildings Churth ctjntents Church t1ngs £3m 8nd rnse £1ml thurch fumlshings £116.OW &KI ma18e £10.000 Llabllltlo8 APPROVED by the Tru#t895 on by Inamel (SI>
St.Georye5 UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Page 3 TREASURER'S STATEMENT I have prepared the financial statements on page 1 for the year ended 31 December 2023 from the accounting records of the church. {name) (signature) {date) 151iW INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the aGcounts of the chanty for the year ended 31 December 4 Responsibilities and basis of rnport As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordanrE with the requirements of the Charities Ad 2011 (Yhe Acf). I report in respect of my examination of the charivs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in Carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dire¢bons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}{b) of the Act. Independent oxaminerfs ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ¢ome to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. 1. accountlng records We not kept in respect of the charity a$ required by section 130 of the Act. or 2. the accounts do not accord wrth those records. Signed by the Independent Examiner.. date. 44 Name Address D &-Sr&/¥J Rr , A6LTS 14£z s u4 To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Signed by the Independent Examiner.. date: Name and address of the Independent Examiner".