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2024-12-31-accounts

Mount Elim Evangelical Church, Pontardawe AGM Wednesday, 19[th] March 2025 at 7:00pm

Present: Sue Bradley, Lynn Brandrick, Mikey Bryant, Jayne Clement, Lizzie Clement, Alun and Dawn Davies, Gwenllian Dooher, Martyn Edwards, Ken Evans, Naomi George, Jill Heggarty, Caroline Jones, Steffan and Cath Jones, Kayleigh Jones, Tony and Jenny Moorley, Dilys Milton, Heather Morgan, Nathaniel and Alissa Owen, Stefan Panov, Trayan Panov, Victoria Porter, Colin Rowe, Samantha Sandry, David Sercombe, Pete Smith, Alan and Kerry Thomas, Dawn Williams, Marcus and Angela Williams, Rhys Williams (35)

On Zoom : Paul Clement, Denise Davies, Babs Dewitt, Mandy Edwards, Ben George, Gaynor Hughes, Chris Maguire (7)

Apologies/ Not Present: Bethany Bryant, Joseph Dooher, Tony Epps, Kath Hamm, Anni Panova, Dan Sandry, Pat Smith, Glynis Tierney (8)

36.1 Devotions

Steffan read from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and David Sercombe opened in prayer. We sang hymn 829 and Steffan prayed.

36.3 Minutes of 13[th] November 2024

These were proposed by Kerry Thomas and seconded by Alun Davies. Carried unanimously and signed.

36.4 Matters Arising

36.5 Pastor’s Report

Thanksgiving

  1. We are in a keeping, protecting and restoring period. Chris, Joseph and Gwenllian, Gwyn and Beryl.

  2. Strengthening and upholding those who are unwell and housebound –

  3. …………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………….

  1. Caring for family members:

  2. …………………………………………………………………………………………

  3. …..

  4. Babies, toddlers and children. Huge answer to prayer to see children being provided: Nathaniel and Alissa, Ben and Naomi, Dan and Elen joining with their three children. Clwb Ponty is growing when there was a danger it might close. New family attended yesterday. Around 12 regulars. Parents keen too.

  5. Softening to the Gospel. Some meeting with individuals and others attending on Sunday.

  6. Potential for a Baptism Service in the Summer

  7. New people are coming in – moving to the area and catching the vision.

  8. Unity and togetherness that the Lord has given us

  9. Building and Finances

Concerns

  1. There is a danger of becoming contented. There were over 70 here last Sunday but there are still 10,000 in the greater Pontardawe area.

  2. The capacity of the Church is becoming an urgent issue. Hopefully, we will hang on until the new building is ready.

  3. Steffan’s own weaknesses and limitations

Opportunities:

  1. One to one Bible Studies, befriending others, sharing your life with others and getting to know them

  2. To serve – becoming more committed and cultivating our own walk with God

  3. When the Lord is blessing we also need to be on guard

  4. Cen updated us on Tabernacle, Skewen. The building had been sold, but the buyer pulled out. In January there was another buyer who offered far less but the offer was accepted and the sale is progressing. Another member has been added – 6 now. The majority are in their 80s but full of belief in the Lord. You get stronger as you get older.

  5. Unfortunately, as they have no money to put up a sign at the front of the Church, some local youths have smashed some of the windows. Hoping to put up a sign as soon as possible.

  6. One lady fell and has been in hospital, her face has been battered and bruised. She is improving.

Cen also met Tony Epps at Singleton Hospital who mentioned how appreciative he is that people stay in contact with him.

A number of people prayed in response to these points

36.6 Proposed New Members

Morfydd (Molly) Jenkins – Molly has been attending for about 18 months and has a wealth of experience; Gwyn and Beryl Thomas have been with us since the summer.

All three were welcomed into membership unanimously.

36.7 Being a Church Member

Steff briefly went through the leaflet to remind us of what it means to be a Church member. He encouraged us to pray through the booklet and search our hearts

36.8. Outreach and Evangelism Vision Team Report (see attachment/handout)

Steff and Cath and Tony and Jenny have been meeting since last June. Victoria has now joined them.

Tony told us what the Bible says about outreach. It is definitely God’s work (eg, 1 Corinthians 12:3). We can’t save anyone – but he uses us in this work and calls us to go and make disciples of all nations, which is a massive challenge (Matthew 28:19)

How can we be more effective in our evangelism? The role of the group is to coordinate all outreach events and make best use of our resources. We need to ensure that what we do presents the Gospel. The best way is for people to be in Church.

Bridge building (eg, Heart of the Valley) One-off Gospel events (eg, Wreath making and Curry Nights) Relationship building with 1-2-1 testimony/ sometimes a message too (eg, Busy Bees, Warm Space) Gospel for seekers (eg, Christianity Explored) Church Services

A new website has also been launched – www.mountelim.org – and we are grateful to the team for their work on this (Ben, Joseph, Kayleigh and Tony)

36.9 Midweek Evangelistic Gathering

Warm space – Tony and Jenny are taking this on as a ministry.

Looking for some thoughts and ideas:

36.10 Building Project

Sale of the Church. The builders next door have shown an interest. They would let us stay until we move into the new Church as well as giving us the money. We have applied for planning permission for the building to be turned into a dwelling. It makes it more appealing to buyers. We are in negotiations with the builders. Possibility of £80,000 without planning permission and

£100,000 with permission.

Funding – possibly about £50,000 short due to increase in prices. We won’t know until we start purchasing things for the inside of the Church. Possibly another appeal.

This could be a difficult time. As we see the building taking shape there may be things where opinions differ. Psalm 127 “Unless the Lord builds the house…..”

We are hoping to open in the autumn, God willing, so that we can have opening services, and community events (eg, Busy Bees or YPF reunions; open day for the neighbours, etc). All of this leading up to Christmas, and hopefully a mission in 2026.

36.11 Financial Report (see attachment/handout)

Report given at the meeting on Zoom. Thanks again to the Church for such generous giving. You may see more transfers of funds than previously. These are into a premium account which pays interest and that houses the bulk of our money. So far, we have gained about £2,000 in interest doing it this way. Cleaning – Since June 2024, one person has been paid to do this from the collection.

There is a surplus of approximately £1,000 per month. The elders are discussing a strategy for giving – eg, possibly fewer missionaries/agencies but giving them more and to enable us to developing meaningful relationships with them. Aim to be giving 10%.

Also, there is a possibility of a second worker, but we need wisdom as to what that will actually be in practice. There are many possibilities and it’s ensuring it is the right person and job for our needs.

36.12 Volunteer requirements

36.13 Plan for Spring/Summer Term:

(a) March-April (see attachment/ handout)

Note some changes to the original plan:

April 15[th] – Easter Trail at 9.30am followed by Easter Holiday Clwb Ponty at 11am. Helpers and cake needed please.

Good Friday Service - 6.00 pm (not 5.00 pm as previously advertised). Meeting at 4.30pm for Hot Cross Buns and Cakes.

Easter Sunday: Discussion around one or two services in the morning due to capacity. Decision taken to have one service, and for members to be in the back and side rooms if necessary. The Evening Service will be at Dan-y-Bryn at 6pm

Revd Stuart Bell from Aberystwyth will be our speaker. He had a big influence on the students in Aber over many decades and is highly recommended. He will be speaking on “Cultivating our own personal walk with the Lord”.

Please talk to Steff if you know anyone who might be interested. We may have to go to another Church due to capacity – Libanus, Morriston, perhaps?

36.14 AOB – no other business

35.15 Prayer

The meeting closed with a time of prayer at 9.00pm.

Mount Elim Evangelical Church Charity No. 1141828

Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Current Accounts
2024
1. Main Current Account-*429 £
Balance at bank as of 1st Jan 2024 Current Account 10,155.86
Income 101,051.45
Total In 111,207.31
Less Expenditure 107,270.22
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 3,937.09
2. Business Premium ME Account-*525
Balance at bank as of 1st Jan 2024 Current Account 764.00
Income 352,633.20
Total In 353,397.20
Less Expenditure 207,342.46
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 146,054.74
3. Busy Bees Account-135
Balance at bank as of 1st Jan 2024 Current Account 614.09
Income 231.07
Total In 845.16
Less Expenditure 204.48
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 640.68
4. Youth Account-*870
Balance at bank as of 1st Jan 2024 Current Account 1.09
Income 490.25
Total In 491.34
Less Expenditure 309.42
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 181.92
5. Building Current Account-546
Balance at bank as of 1st Jan 2024 Current Account 294,326.88
Income 307,327.12
Total In 601,654.00
Less Expenditure 599,080.00
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 2,574.00
NSI Savings Account
Balance at bank as of 1st January 2024 41,767.55
Transfers In 0.00
Interest 418.82
Total In 42,186.37
Transfers Out 0.00
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024 42,186.37
Balance at Bank as of 31st December 2024
Current Account 3,937.09 5,584.45
Active Saver Account 146,054.74 870.00
Busy Bees Account 640.68 212.36
Building Account 2,574.00 353,397.20
Youth Account 181.92 96.70
NSI Saving Account 42,186.37 41,767.55
Total 195,574.80 401,928.26
*----- End of picture text -----

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Mount Elim Evangelical Church members of On accounts for the year 31 December 2024 Charity no 1141828 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 and 2 ) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2024 Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 21/02/2025

Signed: Name: Gaius A Douglas Relevant professional Institute of Financial Accountants qualification(s) or body (if any): Golden Grove, Keeston Hill, Haverfordwest. SA62 6AD Address:

1

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

Oct 2018

IER