2023-03-31-accounts - Diocese Of The Indian Orthodox Church UK, Europe And Africa

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 01 April 2022 To 31 March 2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name[DIOCESE OF THE INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH UK, ] EUROPE AND AFRICA

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1139302

DIOCEUK

Charity's principal address Malankara House 35 Henman Close, Swindon Postcode SN25 4ZW

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Rt.Rev.Dr.Mathews MarThimothios C	Chair	01-04-2022 to 02-11-2022	Synod of Indian Orthodox Church
Rev. Fr. Happy Jacob	Trustee	01-04-2022 to 31-03-2023	Diocesan Assembly
Rev Fr Mathews Kuriakose	Trustee	01-04-2022 to 31-03-2023	Diocesan Assembly
Rev. FrEldo Varghese	Trustee	01-04-2022 to 31-03-2023	Diocesan Assembly
Mr.Soji T Mathew	Trustee	01-04-2022 to 31-03-2023	Diocesan Assembly
Mr. Abraham Kurian	Trustee	01-04-2022 to 31-05-2023	Nominated

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

March 2023

TAR

	Name	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Abraham Mar Stephanos	03 November 2022- 31 March 2023

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Association How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) All the trustees except the President is elected from the Diocesan General Trustee selection methods Assembly of Indian Orthodox Church (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

The Indian Orthodox Church, also known as the Malankara Orthodox You may choose to include Syrian Church is an Autocephalous Oriental Orthodox Church with its additional information, where central office in the Indian state of Kerala. The IOC is autonomous church relevant, about: and headed by the Catholicose. Its present primate is Baselios Mar  policies and procedures Thoma Mathews III, Catholicose of the East. The structure of Indian adopted for the induction and Orthodox Church is also episcopal polity. Churches in UK, Europe and training of trustees; African Diocese are currently under pastoral care of the diocesan bishop. Abraham Thomas aka Abraham Mar Stephanos, who is the chairperson of  the charity’s organisational the charity. Trustees are the diocesan council members. The trustees structure and any wider meet at least three times a year. network with which the charity Risks are mitigated by a careful evaluation and budgeting of the income works; and expenditure at the start of the financial year. Misuse of funds is  relationship with any related safeguarded by strict adherence to the rules and regulations by all the parties; trustees.

trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

The Charity's objects are to provide for the following of the doctrines and beliefs of the Indian Orthodox religion and to provide and maintain places of worship and devotion for the Indian Orthodox community in United Kingdom, Ireland and elsewhere in the World and for instruction in the

March 2023

TAR

faith of the Church, in its tradition, history, in accordance with the Apostolic and ancient traditions of the Indian Orthodox Church propagate Christianity in accordance with the objectives and tenets of the Indian Orthodox Church, to provide for religious, educational and cultural activities of special groups like women, youth and children and to promote and carry out service activities for the benefit of the wider community and society. Our Diocese is spread across three continents and in eight countries/five visa zones. 42 priests and three deacons are serving 58 parishes/congregations as the Vicar/Priest-in-Charge. We have an approximate number of 3150 of registered families all together. We have nine own worship places in the UK.

The trustees of DIOCEUK have considered the commission’s guidance on public benefit in planning diocesan activities for the advancement of religion. The charity enables ordinary people to live out their faith as part of the Indian Orthodox Church, through the Holy Eucharist, learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ. Pastoral care is an integral part of the whole ministry of the Church. Having a great variety of expressions, it focuses appropriately on the needs of individuals and social groups within the Church and wider community, irrespective of religious and cultural barriers. It is good thing to notice that the migration of health workers to Europe are in the rise. We should not leave any space for any of our members are lost in the crowd or get neglected from our radar. It is our collective Summary of the main responsibility to find them provide support to settle down and to make activities undertaken for the part of our community and retain them in true faith and tradition. public benefit in relation to The professional student community presently living in European these objects (include within countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Paris, Lituania, Poland and this section the statutory other parts of Europe are inevitable part of our diocese. Our Diocesan declaration that trustees have Metropolitan have been giving special care to our children and our had regard to the guidance clergies and lay leaders are doing their best to spiritually support them issued by the Charity and embrace them in whatever way possible. Commission on public benefit) Annual general body meeting was held on 02 October 2022 on Zoom Platform. Detailed Minutes of the Meeting is presented in this meeting for approval. It is overwhelming to see that the attendance to the general body meetings are improving and the attendees are very diligent and enthusiastic in constructive discussions and many valuable suggestions are made in these meetings. Thank Almighty God that all the spiritual organisations in our diocese are functioning efficiently. The main objective and mission of our Church is to mould and nurture better people for the Kingdom of God. The spiritual organisations are indeed the tool and platform towards this accomplishment. Youth& MGOCSM, MMVS, OSSAE, Sports and Cultural forum, Pre-Marital Counselling and Maitri Charity project have been making exceptional progression during the reporting year.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

March 2023

TAR

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

OASSIS-Europe is a platform dedicated to providing spiritual support to members of the MOSC studying in Europe. Since it was set up on 02 May 2021, the organisation has established contacts with students in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine. There are local coordinators in 24 countries across Europe. The organisation has provided a unique forum for fellowship and dialogue among students from various spheres of education. It is active on social media across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

OSSAE-UK, During the post COVID period of this reporting year we have seen dramatich and excellent growth of our Sunday school Organisation. There were virtual and physical meetings for Sunday school, OVBS happening at almost all the Parishes/ Congregations. Regular Sunday school classes are conducted in every parish, for the children. The curriculum focuses on lessons and thoughts from the Bible, history and traditions of the Church, prayers, and offices of liturgy as well as activities including singing and drama, to promote self-development and social interaction. Through this, the Sunday School aims to provide a proper understanding of human values and how the Christian way of life can provide a caring and compassionate outlook to the society. In addition to advancing Christian religious faith, DIOCEUK has taken actions to support variety of charity work such as development of dialysis unit.

Diocesan Premarital Course started in November 2014, with the leadership and blessings of our Diocesan Metropolitan H.G Abraham Mar Stephanos. It has been successfully running year after year with good participation of youngsters attending from all over the Diocese. We have been organising the Diocesan Premarital Course as one day course online on Zoom. In the reporting year, we have conducted 4

March 2023

TAR

Section D Achievements and performance Pre-Marital Counselling session which had been attended by 32 aspirant brides and bride grooms. The feedback received was very encouraging and motivational for other members of the community who are planning to start their family life in Christian faith. Our Diocesan Orthodox Christian Youth Movement (OCYM-UK EU AFR), the Youth-wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, is in its 11th year of active leadership and Christian witness for the Church and society. It contributes to the goodness and progress of our Church and community in the three-fold path of worship, study and service. In the post COVID era and especially during the reporting year a significant number of youths were migrated from India to UK. The OCYM-UK had played a pivotal role in coordinating and providing necessary support to the new comers. Our youth members across different churches, held virtual quiz sessions, vigils, bible reading sessions and shared video messages to rejuvenate hope and unity.

MMVS is the organisation for the ladies especially the mothers of our Diocese.With the understanding that the gem centre of faith and religion is in the bosom of the mother, the charity is promoting the pastoral and ecclesial guidance and support for following of the doctrines and beliefs of the Indian Orthodox religion for the ladies. Ladies wing (MMVS), is functioning in all of the parishes in the diocese and with an annual regional meet from all the parts of the United Kingdom held at St.George IOC, Manchester. Parishes manage to witness Christ and help the flock in building a life worth living. Members of the Indian Orthodox Church love the church and it's tradition. They have commitment towards God and the Gospel through collective efforts, manage to help a lot of people who go through difficulties. All the parishes and congregations have charity funds; huge sum if it is pooled together from which every parish gives financial assistance to various deserving people. We are complementing to the apostolic ministry of healing the sick and raising the dead through our helps.

Section E Financial review

The Charity will maintain General Fund for meeting all the regular Brief statement of the activities and for specific activities operates a Restricted Fund. Transfer charity’s policy on reserves between funds may be made according to the plans of the Charity. The Charity will try to keep £5000.00 in General Fund at all times. Details of any funds materially Nothing to be noted in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

Sources of fund raising are from the parish churches under the diocese, You may choose to include from voluntary contributions and donation from the community and fundadditional information, where raising events. relevant about:  the charity’s principal Direct debit payments are setup by 105 members of the diocese towards sources of funds (including the diocesan development which provides a consistent inflow of funds. any fundraising);

March 2023

TAR

how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
The diocese has procured a property as a diocese centre with an outstanding mortgage amount of £173,843. Our primary investment policy and objective is to pay off the mortgage at the earliest.
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Abraham Kurian
	Abraham Kurian
	Trustee
	28/Dec/2023

March 2023

TAR

(HARITY COMMISSIO FOR ENGIAND AND WALE DIOCEJE OF INDIAII IXThODOX CWURCH. UK ELIROP DIOCÉUK Recelpts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• p•rfod P•rtE 818rt dale 01m412022 31103r2023 Section A Receipts ciiid payino. iits R••trlct•d fund• Endowm•nl lund• Tot1 fvnd• lund• 10ltrb• hMr••l L Ip th• n•w•JlL Al R•e•l t• 0,7•• 7S• 11,VP W•r4 Fur 950 AR} 140,1 n¥Htrn•nt •• IM• tabl•l. A3P• nts CM Cgysiwd NI &14x 21.117 21A17 7073 2D.2aO 7.173 1,918 DTrla L Twb Re4kJrnh 5.174 2215 0,14 2A55 114W06 Sub tol•l 49,Wi 14,97S A4 ABsot and In4ty•tm•nl • tabl• Sub totsl 49.891 175 59,149 N•t olrncelpts/(payments) AS Trnnsf•rs b•tw••D fijnds Cash frJnds lasty•ar•nd Cash funds thlj ytaf end 951 13D.35 CCXX R1 acrAJunts ISS} 25101r2024

Section B Statement of assets and liabi lities at the end of the period Unrn¥trlct•d RMtrlct•d fvThd• lun Endon•t lund• Categor1QS Details B1 C•h fi>nd• iJoJso rol•l c•sh lund# 1JOJ55 ¢AVIll Unrn¥¢rlthd R•tdetsd fund¥ •mt£ fvnd¥ Deta115 to Fundtotbthkh B4 Assets r•talned ft+r th• ¢harity'• own u•• T4nngCk.sN254TrI J97.SWJ VthMd n BS Llabllltles 1989* Hsbc Bar 12a3 Sigwj 0ortnQn of1 the trusteos signa PAnt Name val TIBU THANKACHAN OS0112024 CCXX R2 arxounts ISS) 2&YJ1r2024

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trusteesl members of DIOCEUK{DIOCESE OF THE INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.UK . EUROPE AND AFRICA) On accounts for the year ended 3110312023 Charity no (if any) 1139302 Set out on pages TWO I report to the tnjstees on my examination of the accounts of the aEKJve charity {llh8 Trust.) for the year ended 3110312021. Responsibilltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). 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 ACL I have completed my examination. I confirn that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disdosed below '} in connection with the examination which gives me Gause to believe that in. any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the acrxjunts do not accord wlth the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and hav8 come across no other mattèrs in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Please d te the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: O& Jan-2024 Name: THOMAS Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (If any): Address." IER October 2018