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2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1145271

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 for St. Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Church, Birmingham

Thomas David Accountancy & Taxation Limited 557 Filton Avenue Bristol BS7 0QH

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 2
Independent Examiner’s Report 3
Statement of Financial Activities 4
Balance Sheet 5
Notes to the Financial Statements 6 to 8
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 9 to 11

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31[st] March 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and Aims

Objective of the Church is to promote the Indian Orthodox Christian faith.

The trustees have considered a charity commission’s guidance on public benefit including the guidance ‘public benefit running charity (PB2).’

Significant activities

The feast of Ascension was celebrated in our Church on 8th May 2024.

Feast of St George the Patron Saint of England was celebrated on 12th May 2024 with Holy Qurbana,Rasa and Nercha vilambu.

The feast of St Thomas was Celebrated in our church on 7th July 2024 with Holy Qurbana. On the feast day Neercha was provided. The feast of assumption of St.Mary was celebrated in our church on 14th August 2024 starting with evening prayer followed by Holy Qurbana.

The Church honoured the nativity of St. Mary with an eight-day lent. Every evening throughout Lent, the vicar set up different priests to lead the devotional address and evening prayer via Zoom. Many members participated in Holy Qurbana and attended the evening prayers and devotional talk on September 8th, thanks to the assistance of MMVS.

On September 15, 2024, the church celebrated Onam after the Holy Qurbana. The organisers, Mr.Shibu Thomas and Mr. Lisson Thomas and by Mr.Verghese.K.Mathai were successful in creating nostalgia in our members through various traditional programms like Ona sadya, activities and games.

OVBS was conducted on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of November2024. In that Sunday School played a vital role in creating social responsibility in children, arranging a food bank collection. Church donated a lot of food items to the food bank.

Under the direction of OCYM, Christmas carols were performed on December 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th December 2024. by visiting families with Christmas greetings.

On 29th of December 2024, a family get together called Agape 2024 was organised at our Church. It was organised after Holy Qurbana.

On January 5, 9, 10,11 and 12, 2025, the church held its main annual feast. Various priests delivered devotional speeches and led meditation during the first four days. Our Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Abraham Mar Stephanos served as the chief celebrant of Tri-Mass on the last day. On this day, the Diocesan Metropolitan extended a special invitation to the pilgrimage rider and the vicar of St Margaret Olton Church in Solihull to visit the church.

The church held mediations, special services, Holy confession, and Holy Qurbana to commemorate Great Lent and Passion Week.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves

The Church reserves are held to help its current and future activities including maintenance of the church building The retained surplus of parish as on 31/03/2025 was £511,531 (£484,586 on 31/03/2024)

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, constitution adopted on 13 September 2009 as amended on 31 December 2011 and as amended on 11 February 2024 and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The vicar is appointed by the diocesan Bishop and his term will until further order from the Diocesan Bishop. The Secretary, Treasurer and other committee members are elected at the annual general body meeting of the charity.

Overpayment decision of church

When the church entered in to a mortgage,interest rates were historically low, but the world changed dramatically after the and rates rose to levels not seen in decades.Rather than remain bound to a long-term debt under these conditions, the church chose to act wisely by reducing the mortgage through significant overpayments. This decision shortened the term and

saved substantial interest,ensuring that more of our resources serve ministry rather than lenders.Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 22:7 that "the borrower is slave to the lender," and by taking these steps, we have moved closer to financial freedom and faithful stewardship. Doing nothing would have left us exposed to rising costs and prolonged debt,but through prayerful planning and decisive action,we have strenthened the church's future.

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•nt Exarnin rttotheTru SL St hen's Indian Orthodox Church Binnln ham I report on the accounts of the charity ft)r the y8ar 31 March 2025. compris8 the Statement of Financial Actiwts8s, the Statement ol Finanual Position an%J the rE￿ted notes. R•sp•ctiv• respgnslblliti•s of trustees and •xaminer The charity'5 tnjstees a￿ responsible for the ¥eparation of Ihe account5. Thg ctsntys trustees ihat an audit ts not ￿Uired for tri5 year (under Section 144121 of the Charib"8s Acl 2011 ltre 2011 Actll and thai an ind8p8ndent examinats.on is required. is my responsbility to". 8xamin8 Ihe aCC￿nts L5nd8r Sects'on 145 01 2011 Act to fdlow the procedurns laid dowTr in the G8neral Direcb"ons givèn by thg Charity COMMI￿On (under Séctsorn 14515llbl of the 2011 A¢tl", and to State whether part¢ukqr matters have eom? to my attenDon. Basls of thè Independent examlnerf¥ report My examinatiofi vds ￿rried tyjt in aC(￿ance wilh the General DIre￿lOn$ giV8n by ￿ Charity CLvnmission. A¢) 8xamination indué8s a review ol the a¢cwnting records kept by the chanty and a ¢£mparison of the atcounts [￿e$￿ted ith those ￿cOrdS. r( aL80 includes onsiderakn.on ol any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounls, and seeking explanabons frorn you as tnjstees coneernirsg any such matters. The procedur8s undertaken do not provide all tre 8vidence that V+YJJkJ ￿ requiwd in an aL￿tt, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts p￿sent a'lnje and fairview. and ihe report is Smited to those matters 581 out in the statèm8ots below. Independent 8xamineV$ $tatem•rrt In connection wlh rny examinaiion, rTO matter has com• to rny a#￿ti￿. hich gives mg reasonab￿ cause to belve that, in any material respect, th8 rgquirernents to kggp accounllng rewds in ￿COrdance Section 130 of lh8 2011 Act: ar*J to prepa￿ accounts which accord wlh Ihe acc4)untsng rBgyds and to comply the ac4))unb"ng requirements of thg 2011 Act have not been met., or 121 to which, in my opinron, attention shthJld be drdwn in cffder to enab￿ a rYoper undwstanding ofthe accounts io be ￿aCh￿d. Mr Thomas rfavid FCCA Thomas David AcccwJntancy & Taxation Limited 557 Fitton Avenua Bristol BS7 OQH Date '. Page 3

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
2
3
Investment Income
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Total
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Church Running Costs
Other
Total
NET INCOME*
Unrestricted
funds
£
139,351
11,196
150,547
(123,602)
-
(123,602)
26,945
Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2025
Total funds
£
139,351
11,196
150,547
(123,602)
-
(123,602)
26,945
2024
Total funds
£
144,922
12,070
156,992
(94,004)
-
(94,004)
62,988

All income and expenditure have arisen from continuing activities.

Page 4

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St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost conversion, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011.

St Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Church, Birmingham meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes(s).

Incoming resources

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life.

Land & Building : Not provided (Trustees have carried out a full impairment review in accordance
with FRS 102 and find out that the estimated residual value is not materially
different from it’s carrying value in the Balance Sheet)
Fixtures and fittings : 15% on reducing balance basis
Computer equipment : 33.33% on reducing balance basis

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Funds

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.

Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Secured Loan

Bank loan with HSBC bank is secured against a first legal charge over the free hold property at 427 Brays Road, Birmingham,B26 2RR.

Page 6

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2. Income From Donations & Legacies

3.
4.
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposal
Donations Received
INVESTMENT INCOME
Bank Interest
Rental Income
Total
At 31 March 2025
Land &
Building
£
556,915
-
-
556,915
-
-
-
556,915
556,915
Fixtures and
fittings
£
24,231
4,161
-
28,392
8,747
2,947
11,693
16,699
15,484
Computer
equipment
£
348
932
-
1,280
345
312
657
623
3
2025
£
139,351
2025
£
836
10,360
11,196
2024
£
144,922
2024
£
1,840
10,230
12,070
Totals
£
581,494
5,093
-
586,587
9,092
3,258
12,350
574,237
572,402

Page 7

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

5.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
6.
7.
8.
Funds
Unrestricted funds
Total
Total
CREDITORS
Creditors & Accruals
Bank Loan (Secured against land building)
Total
TOTAL FUNDS
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
General fund
Charity Fund
Clergy Support Contribution
Gift Aid Tax Receivable
Debtors/Prepayments
CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash in Hand
Current Account # 71747827
Card Reader
Fixed Deposit Account # 20999091
Fixed Deposit Account # 40999105
Savings Account # 81591762
Clergy Support Contribution
General fund
Charity Fund
Bank Loan (Secured)
CREDITORS: AMOUNT FALLING DUE AFTER ONE YEAR
AMOUNT FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
General
Fund
7
-
9,278
35,009
10,260
-
54,555
At 01.04.24
£
481,536
1,100
1,950
484,586
484,586
Restricted
Fund
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net
Movement In
Funds
£
29,661
(2,716)
0
26,945
26,945
Incoming
Resources
£
149,962
585
-
150,547
2025
£
23,000
1,522
24,522
2025
£
7
-
9,278
35,009
10,260
-
54,555
2025
£
450
7,058
7,508
134,275
Transfers
between
Funds
£
(1,616)
1,616
-
-
-
Resources
Expended
£
120,301
3,301
-
123,602
2024
£
21,273
4,840
26,113
2024
£
711
20
10,875
23,992
33,749
25,567
94,914
2024
£
450
9,241
9,691
199,152
At 31.03.25
£
509,581
-
1,950.00
-
511,531
511,531
Movement in
Funds
£
29,661
(2,716)
-
26,945

Page 8

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2025
£
2024
£
Family Get Together
Koinonia
Amoss
Cash Prize
Souvenir
Other Income
Marthoman Sangamam
Clergy Support
Wedding Anniversary Donations
St. George feast and Ettu nombe
SS Bala Gala
SS Talent Competition
Sound System Donation
Youth Fund
Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam
Onam
One Day Trip
OVBS
Outstanding utilities from Nursery
Donations-Baptism
Diocesan Day Collection
Donations
Water Charges Reimbursed
Gas & Electricity - Nursery Re-Imbursement
Catholicate Day
Charity
Christmas & Carol
Church Building Fund
Donations and legacies
Subscriptions
Sunday School
I. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations - Refreshments
Favours Received
Gifty Aid HMRC
Harvest Festival
Catholicate Visit
Holy week Donations
Madbaha Donations
Birthday Donations
Offertory
42,930
1,900
23,476
250
18,802
3,072
1,418
486
130
1,151
500
720
-
-
4,208
1,163
600
-
1,390
10,626
1,230
4,515
595
230
-
585
702
1,718
5,206
1,290
1,522
2,489
-
3,227
-
2,100
970
75
75
40,867
2,550
21,690
200
19,918
2,056
1,150
475
4,035
155
292
2,310
4,000
3,190
1,750
1,720
669
4,210
3,776
1,485
4,765
310
790
1,370
340
795
1,660
15,714
548
1,150
150
230
600
-
-
-
-
-
Total Donations & Legacies (A)
Bank Interest
Rental Income
139,351
836
10,360
144,922
1,840
10,230
Total Investment Income (B)
Total Incoming Resources (A+B)
11,196
150,547
12,070
**156,992 **

Page 9

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2025
£
2024
£
II.EXPENDITURE
Charitable Activities
Catholicate Day
Insurance
SS Bala Gala
SS Talent Competition
Family Get - together
Bank loan Interest
Onam Festival
Carry Forward Expenditure
Seminary Day
Martha Mariam Vanitha Samajam
Charity
Repair & Maintenance
Diocesan Contribution
Bank Charges/ Arrangements Fees
Sundry Purchases
Retire and replace of Custodian
Perunnal Expense
Refreshments
Printting, Stationery & Postage
Holy Week
OVBS
Sunday School
Fire alarm & Emergency Light
Youth Movement
Website Domain Fee (2 Years)
Sacramental Materials
Clergy Support
Christmas
Mementos & Gifts
One day trip
Souvenir
Koinonia
Madbaha items
Vicar Allowances
Visiting Bishop & Priests
15,087
2,100
1,887
9,815
419
769
10
2,515
774
417
970
1,300
452
8,795
-
2,611
1,394
2,535
-
4,909
2,893
9,780
2,893
380
2,664
3,301
795
100
1,640
785
1,350
338
766
12,076
96,522
13,465
1,301
1,779
8,458
45
584
24
2,792
648
55
-
-
-
3,019
1,500
2,791
1,698
4,860
619
4,745
1,895
2,610
2,176
437
2,837
150
985
200
1,100
-
-
133
169
10,105
71,179

Page 10

St.Stephen's Indian Orthodox Church , Birmingham

Brought Forward Expenditure
Sangamam
Choir
AMOSS
Gas & Electricity Charges
Accountancy
Net income
Water Charges
Miscellaneous
Depreciation
Catholicate Visit
Total Resources expended
St. George Feast & Ettu Nomb
Zoom Subscription
Hall Hire Support
DBS
Hall Hire - Nursery Utility Refund
Kitchen Utensils
Card Machine Commission
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities- Continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2025
£
96,522
450
123
6,684
4,148
1,188
2,421
144
350
150
393
16
1,578
-
218
3,258
5,959
123,602
26,945
2024
£
71,179
360
113
15,714
-
549
1,272.50
287.76
-
-
170.00
32.00
540.00
956.23
96
2,734
-
94,004
62,988

Page 11