2023-03-31-accounts

Little Hill Church

Wigston

Trustees’ Report for the Year ending

31 March 2023

Little Hill Church

Launceston Road, Wigston, Leics, LE18 2GZ

www.littlehill.org.uk

Registered Charity (England & Wales) No. 1138737

HM Revenue and Customs (Charities) Reference: XN32811

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Governing Documents

The objects of Little Hill Church and procedures for its government are laid down in the Trust Deed of 16 May 1975 (amended on 20 January 1993) and the Constitution adopted about 1975

Trustees during the year:

John Eardley (Chair of Trustees)

James Harrison

Joshua Harrison

Peter Holmes

Andrew Irvine

Faqir Kallow

Mike Smith

Elders :

Faqir Kallow (Chair)

John Eardley

Joshua Harrison

Deacons:

James Harrison

Peter Holmes (Chair)

Andrew Irvine

Mike Smith (Treasurer)

Bankers:

HSBC, 2-6 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester, LE1 1DA

Independent Accounts Examiner

Melanie Smith

11 Tremaine Drive, Wigston, Leics., LE18 2GW

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting this report of the church’s activities for the year ending 31 March 2023, which includes the information below and the attached Receipts and Payments Account.

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Purpose and Objectives

Little Hill Church is ‘an undenominational and evangelical work for the service of Almighty God and the education of young persons’ and for other purposes ‘incidental to or connected with the work of a Christian church in accordance with the teaching of the Scriptures’ (Trust Deed clause (a)).

Little Hill Church exists for:

• a. the building up of Christians through preaching and teaching,

• b. bringing Christians together to love one another,

• c. the worship of God through prayer, praise and ‘breaking of bread’ (communion),

• d. baptising believers,

• e. fulfilling the commission to make disciples. (Constitution para.1)

Public Benefit Statement

Little Hill Church aims to provide public benefit through the advancement of the Christian Religion, in accordance with reformed evangelical theology, through the various activities highlighted below. The main area of activity has been Wigston and the immediate surrounding area, but Little Hill Church believes in a global mission in accordance with the command of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19 and 20. We have therefore provided support for members, other individuals and organisations, as resources permit, where such individuals and organisations are seen as sympathetic to our theological position and are themselves engaged in the promotion of Christian Religion.

Regular Activities

In pursuit of these objectives, the following regular activities have been undertaken during the year ending 31 March 2023.

• On Sunday mornings , Joshua Harrison has continued to preach through the Gospel of Luke. Our Sunday afternoon services have continued, and men from the church have preached through a varying range of topics, while Joshua Harrison has completed the series on Women in the Old Testament, and another short series on the Psalms. There have also, during this time, been visits from guest preachers at both our Sunday morning and afternoon services. These have been very much appreciated.

• Children’s Talks: talks continue to be given each Sunday morning with James Eardley and Trevor Bowman taking the majority of the talks with other men on standby. James took over from Trevor as leader of talks from September 2022 and began 2023 with talks beginning at Genesis and taking the children through some key Old Testament narratives. Talks take a variety of approaches using interactive elements to engage a range of ages and abilities. A growing number of children have attended each week with figures of ten or more some weeks. We pray for grace to explain God’s love in the gospel to the children and their need of Jesus as Saviour.

• Ladies’ Fellowship: About 13-20 ladies gather each Tuesday morning to study God’s word, pray and share fellowship. Others use the Bible study notes at home. They have a precious time together as they seek to ‘bear one another’s burdens’ and to encourage each other to grow in their faith. Studies this year have included series on ‘Praying the Psalms’, Ephesians, and ‘Questions God Asks’. They are grateful for the continuing service of the two men from the fellowship who provide the refreshments.

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• The SHED fellowship for men has continued with the same format, meeting each fortnight initially for devotions and then for another activity. A similar number of men, around ten, have attended each session. Activities have included target-shooting, Call my Bluff, examining engineering models, a Romanian morning and a visit to the Triumph Motorcycle Museum.

• Monthly Saturday Prayer Focus Meetings resumed in the building to praise God and pray for the work of the gospel locally here in Wigston, nationally and internationally.

• Friday Fellowship continued through the year meeting monthly with a break in September and December, providing a meal, fellowship, a devotional talk and hymn singing for senior citizens from the church and other friends.

Evangelism

The church has held meetings for various age groups over the years. All the following meetings are provided at no cost to individuals and most are term-time activities.

• Little Ones at Little Hill is for pre-school children. There is no charge and meetings are held on Mon afternoons 1:30 - 3:00 pm during term time. Approximately 25 mums, dads, grandparents and carers attend along with 25+ pre-school children and babies. Many of the adults come along as a result of either seeing our large banner placed outside the church advertising the activity, or by reading about the activity on the church website.

• A team of six ladies, all of whom are DBS checked, and are church members, help with the smooth running of the group. Due to the large size of the building, we are able to offer a wide range of activities, including weekly craft activities, home corner play, construction toys, dressing up, safe enclosed baby area, bikes and push-along toys in enclosed area, book corner and larger toys for physical activities.

Refreshments for adults are provided in the foyer on a ‘serve yourself system’ and the children have a drink and a biscuit during story time. This involves the telling of a Bible story, singing, finger play rhymes and celebration of birthdays.

Team members mix and mingle with adults and children showing friendship and sharing their Christian faith when appropriate, also inviting them to evangelistic events organised by the church.

• Kids’ Club is our weekly meeting for primary school aged children held on Friday evenings during term time. It has been great to keep this meeting going, and encouraging to meet new families from the local area. We continue to teach stories from the Bible and sing choruses with the children. There are a variety of activities that we do with them including sports and crafts, as well as fun games and events. There are regularly about 15-20 children attending this meeting each week.

• Lion’s Cubs: During the morning service we have a children’s slot, when all the children 11 years old and under gather at the front of the church and listen to a Bible story followed by a song which relates to the story. After this, the children aged four to eleven leave to have their own activity upstairs. This involves follow-up activities based on the stories told earlier. Activity sheets are enjoyed by the different ages along with singing and craft activities. Numbers vary from four to ten. During the session we also celebrate birthdays, encourage the children to share any news and pray together. There are four main leaders, who rotate on a three-week basis supported by a weekly rota of five other church members.

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• Youth Club has started again for young people aged 11-16. There has regularly been a group of about ten attending and they enjoy a variety of sports, games and other activities. They have been looking at some of the big questions in life such as 'How did I get here?' and 'Where am I going?'. These are considered and looked at from a Biblical perspective, and give good opportunities for the young people to ask their own questions and explore life in the context of the Christian faith.

• ParkLife: The biggest challenge this year was having the right balance of men and women available to be involved in the team. We managed to go out a 'handful' of times and were asked the usual questions such as: "Where is God when we need him?", "Why all the suffering in the world?", "What's wrong being gay?", to name a few questions. As always, it was a great privilege to talk about Jesus to some of the youngsters and point them to our church website as a good contact point.

• Women2Women : We held two events, firstly in November 2022 entitled “Cake!” with a video demonstration of a cake topper and a competition to make our own. Elizabeth Flanagan then gave her amazing testimony of life as a nun in Ireland still experiencing spiritual emptiness. Elizabeth was eventually converted following an invitation to a Gospel Mission. The majority of the ladies at the event were invited guests and it was a good gospel opportunity.

The second event was in March 2023, a curry night at The Cuisine of India restaurant in Wigston. There was a maximum capacity of 40 and all seats were taken. Again, many of the ladies invited friends and neighbours to this event. Following the meal Dr Tanya Sperry (retired GP) spoke from her heart about having peace with God and used the illustration of Hannah in the Bible. Afterwards, (being close to Mothers’ Day), all the ladies were given a bunch of daffodils, an evangelistic magazine, plus an invitation to our Easter services.

• Senior Citizens.

Saturday teas recommenced with a single event in November 2022 after a break of two and a half years. The programme consisted of music with a slide projection, some light-hearted poems and a gospel talk, followed by a sit-down tea.

• The free-literature case outside the building continues to be used by local people. As in its first year, it has suffered no vandalism. Several Bibles, booklets, and tracts are taken from it each month. The main selection is refreshed every 3-4 weeks.

• Ministry to International Students: This year, in partnership with Globe Cafe, six Sunday trips have been arranged to our church. These included the Harvest and Carol services followed by either a meal at church or in a church member’s home, including a summer barbecue. Despite the overall reduction of International Students visiting this country, we averaged between 15 and 25 for these visits and the students really appreciated the love and warmth shown by the church. The talks and visual aids helped to accommodate the students with English as a second language. Students were from Vietnam, Ecuador, Nepal, Morocco, Thailand, Romania, India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, UK, Turkey, Taiwan, Iraq, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Iran and Singapore. We rejoice that God has brought these nations to us for this gospel opportunity.

Worship and Ministry

• Joshua Harrison is the full-time pastor and he continues to bring a consistent, consecutive ministry. This year he has preached from various parts of the Bible, including Psalms and the book of Luke. He continues his role as a Chaplain for the local Police Service.

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Encouragements

• Little Hill Church continues to support the Blythswood shoebox project with collection and despatch again taking place at a member's house. Blythswood is a Scottish-based charity providing Christian care for body and soul to many in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

2350 boxes containing Christmas gifts and practical necessities for distribution to the needy in Eastern Europe were collected and sent. Many were sent to those suffering in Ukraine and other neighbouring countries who have been giving support to Ukrainian refugees who have fled the conflict.

• The church has a collection facility in the foyer for the Leicester South Foodbank which is managed by another local church. The food donated is transported to the collection centre on a regular basis.

• Church History lectures continue to be given by one of our members, Dr Lesley Rowe. A good group of people, including friends from other local churches, have attended, and enjoyed sharing fellowship together. A significant number of viewings on YouTube demonstrates a wider interest in the subject. The series on the Great Ejection of 1662 continued with lectures on ‘Black Bartholomew’s Day 1662’ and the ‘Experiences of some Leicestershire Bartholomeans’. The 2023 series ‘Famous or Forgotten?’ opened with a lecture on Samuel Shaw of Ashby.

• Warm Space

In Autumn 2022 the idea of “Warm Space” was implemented following the governmentpromoted scheme encouraging churches, libraries and community centres to offer their facilities to help with the demands of the energy crisis. The church was opened one morning a week as an informal cafe style setting with the added provision of puzzles/board games, table tennis and a kiddie corner. A team of eight planned Warm Space and launched it in November 2022 on Thursday mornings from 9.30-12.30.

It has proved a great opportunity for evangelism to the local community with some coming to their local church building for the first time. Church members have also found it beneficial. Numbers vary between 25-45, many of which are not known to us initially and the majority are now regulars on a weekly, fortnightly or ad hoc basis. The following are amongst the regulars attending:

• individuals and family groups with children

• a carers’ walking group

• an adopter’s group

Good friendships have been made, some leading to invitations to other church events. On the whole, folk come in for company and some of the regulars have expressed how they truly value Warm Space as a place to unwind and share their burdens and needs.

Practicalities

• Deacons and Elders have separate monthly meetings to consider their respective responsibilities.

• Elders and Deacons continue to meet monthly at the Church Council to conduct the business of the church. Here decisions are made and practicalities are discussed including church finances. Members of the church are invited to attend.

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• Those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults have been DBS checked and continue to be rechecked after five years.

• The Little Hill Link is sent out electronically to inform the church of forthcoming activities and is a useful prayer stimulus. Copies are printed and posted to those who are not online.

• A library of Christian books is available for members and visitors to borrow.

Risk Management

• The Deacons conduct an annual inspection of the premises to identify and evaluate any physical risks to which the church and its attendees may be subject, and they are satisfied that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate or eliminate these. A system of annual Risk Assessments for activities is used.

• We continue to review Safeguarding Policy each May which now includes protection for adults.

Management of Funds

The attached Receipts and Payments Account shows total income of £110,371, a significant increase over previous years. This is entirely made up of voluntary donations, mainly from members of the congregation. There are no fundraising activities.

All designated giving has been used for the purpose stated by the givers, and gifts from 2021/22 accounts which were rolled over to 2022/23 have been paid.

The increased income enabled us to complete a major refurbishment of the kitchen as well as supporting our full-time pastor/teacher and maintaining our regular activities (in some cases recommencing them after the pandemic closures), without any reduction in reserves. Day to day expenditure is normally met by individuals within the congregation and reimbursed on production of an invoice or till receipt. Approximately 95% of payments are now made by Bank Transfer or Direct Debit. Two Deacons are authorised to conduct Internet Banking. All payments are checked against the records after the end of each month and signed off by two Trustees other than the Treasurer.

The church continues to support gospel work elsewhere. This year £17,090 has been sent as gifts to individuals and organisations involved in evangelism, training leaders, Christian advocacy and general relief work around the world. This is just over 15% of the church’s income.

Throughout the year the church held a comprehensive insurance policy with Ansvar Insurance which included Public Liability, Employer’s Liability and Trustees’ Indemnity. The Public Liability cover included activities of the church on or off the premises.

The Trustees consider that the church is in a sound financial position with sufficient reserves for projected expenditure.

Approval

The Trustees’ report was approved by the Trustees at a meeting on 9.10.2023.

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Little Hill Church

Receipts and Payments Account y.e. 31st March 2023

Note Opening Balances Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account Bank No2 Account Receipts Gifts and donations 1 Designated Income 2 Income Tax Refund Bequests and Legacies Interest Received Miscellaneous receipt Repayment of Loan to Shepshed Church Payments Ministry 3 Evangelism 4 Gifts 5 Designated Expenditure 6 Accommodation 7 Administration 8 Loan to Shepshed Church Closing Balances Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account Bank No2 Account	£ £ 5,774.77 16,268.77 622.00 91,915.60 5,162.00 13,179.98 0.00 75.75 37.85 0.00 43,223.61 7,555.62 17,090.00 8,353.48 22,417.42 11,395.73 0.00 3,126.36 19,874.50 0.00 133,036.72 133,036.72 2023	£ £ 1,673.42 26,787.57 307.00 67,169.81 2,763.00 11,628.62 0.00 2.58 0.00 10,000.00 39,066.27 4,122.54 15,106.00 880.00 11,714.64 16,777.01 10,000.00 5,774.77 16,268.77 622.00 2022
		120,332.00 120,332.00

NOTE

No credit has been included in the accounts for a sum of £6,414 (2022 £6,246) which is due by way of an Income Tax Refund against Giftaid for the period.

AUDITORS REPORT

I have examined the Church's Books of Account and the Receipts and Payments Accounts which, in my opinion accurately state the Church's affairs.

CHANGE TO ACCOUNTING POLICY

The Church decided to change the way the accounts are prepared and presented with effect from 1st April 2019 from an accruals basis to a receipts and payments basis. The effect of this is that there is no longer a balance sheet showing the value of the church building, other fixed assets, current assets and liabilities.

………………………………………….

Melanie Smith

Qualified with CIPFA in 1976, (member between 1976-2013) but no longer a member of the Institute 9th August 2023

Notes to the Accounts

Note 1 2 3 4	Gifts and Donations Giftaided Gifts GASDS Gifts and Donations Other Offerings Designated Income Love Gifts SIM for Lydia King Designated Gifts: Other Designated Gifts Weekend/day away Ministry Pastor's Salary, Nat Ins & Pension Pastor's expenses and training Other meeting costs Special Gifts Lectures Warm Space Visiting Preachers Evangelism Evangelism - General Publicity Little Ones Kids Club Friday Fellowship Women to Women Mens Events Parklife Senior Citizens Youth Printing/Literature Catering	2023 £ 51,630.00 1,567.60 32,630.00 6,088.00 91,915.60 810.00 0.00 1,955.00 2,397.00 5,162.00 38,267.01 435.00 1,030.27 33.00 24.00 744.33 2,690.00 43,223.61 17.40 388.09 352.91 325.69 645.80 950.40 1,172.28 51.49 59.45 111.79 2,359.92 1,120.40 7,555.62	2022 £ 47,810.00 1,162.41 14,045.00 4,152.40
			67,169.81
			2,295.00 216.00 0.00 252.00
			2,763.00
			36,791.32 601.94 293.51 0.00 94.50 0.00 1,285.00
			39,066.27
			435.23 100.00 123.93 65.36 76.07 121.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,994.50 206.38
			4,122.54

Notes to the Accounts

Note 5 6 7	Gifts Vinukonda Zambesi Mission Blythswood Care Friends International Penny Wang Friends International Ruth Duffin Answers in Genesis Platform 67 Open Air Mission Christian Institute Int'l Mission to Jewish People (formerly Christian Witness to Israel) Blythswood Care Ukraine Emergency Thurlaston Chapel Building Project Thurlaston Chapel Bible Notes Platform 67 - Pakistan relief Platform 67 - Earthquake relief Our Daily Bread Ministries UFM - Daveys UFM - Hicham Market Overton Free Church Glencroft Church SIM International Lydia King SIM International Matt & Lisa Wallis UCCF - for Jemima Howell student worker North Church CIO Bethany Harrison - support for short term mission Designated Expenditure Designated Gifts: Other Designated Gifts Love Gifts Weekend/day away Accommodation Light & Heat Insurance Cleaning and Hygiene Building and Fixtures Building repairs & services Water Rates	2023 £ 1,750.00 800.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 2,000.00 500.00 120.00 500.00 500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 500.00 300.00 1,000.00 17,090.00 1,955.00 3,035.00 3,363.48 8,353.48 2,483.21 1,906.85 416.68 15,516.39 1,710.04 384.25 22,417.42	2022 £ 1,750.00 800.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 120.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 100.00 216.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
			15,106.00
			0.00 0.00 880.00
			880.00
			2,088.75 1,724.74 530.74 0.00 7,181.67 188.74
			11,714.64

Notes to the Accounts

Note 8	Administration Bank Charges Library Recording Equipment purchases Equipment repairs Printing/photocopying Postage Telephone Stationery Advertising Audit Website Professional fees Affiliations and CRB checks	2023 £ 171.08 0.00 280.86 7,148.13 0.00 760.50 443.30 387.07 84.52 246.10 230.00 570.00 597.17 477.00 11,395.73	2022 £ 44.96 438.78 103.84 11,489.54 875.28 41.98 541.61 249.48 271.78 0.00 230.00 730.66 1,509.10 250.00
			16,777.01