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← Union Church And Community Centre, Crouch End

2023-12-31-accounts

UNION CHURCH & COMMUNITY CENTRE, CROUCH END (Baptist /United Reformed)

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Church on Sunday 26[th] May 2024

Union Church is a group of Christians who worship and work together to reflect the love of God by serving the community and supporting the Church worldwide.

Union Church and Community Centre is a Local Ecumenical Partnership.

Union Church and Community Centre, Crouch End Weston Park, Crouch End, London N8 9PX

Registered Charity 1150944

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Deacons as Charity Trustees present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023. The report and accounts are presented to the Annual Meeting of the Church on 26[th] May 2024.

INTRODUCTION

On 2[nd] May 1974, the members of Park Chapel United Reformed Church and members of Ferme Park Baptist Church, believing that it was God’s will that they should do so, resolved that the work and witness of the two churches should be, and should continue to be, integrated so that the members of the two churches should live, work and worship as one community: Union Church.

In 2003, the name was changed to ‘Union Church and Community Centre, Crouch End (Baptist/United Reformed)’ to better reflect the community involvement of the church.

AIM AND PURPOSES

The purpose of the Church and Community Centre, Crouch End is to advance the Christian faith in Hornsey, and the wider community, in accordance with the principles and practices of the Baptist and United Reformed Church denominations.

As Trustees, we have the responsibility of working with the Minister and congregation in promoting the work of the Church and Centre; the Mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical; and for the safe operation and maintenance of our properties.

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ACTIVITIES

We are committed to encouraging as many people as possible to worship in the church and to enable wide use of the Centre for social groups and lettings. We maintain an overview of worship and church group activities and aim to see that services are welcoming and include contributions from the diversity of congregation attendants.

When planning its activities for the year, the Deacons would consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of the community through:

To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church and Community Centre.

LETTINGS

The Church and Community Centre hired out their buildings on a regular basis to the following groups:

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OBLIGATIONS OF MINISTRY and ACHIEVEMENTS

2023 was a relatively quiet year for Union Church. There were no big setbacks or major progressions.

The year began with 14 members, 4 regular non-member attendees and a few visitors. It ended with the same numbers. Attendances were roughly always 12-16 people with some of that number being members of Stroud Green Baptist Church( SGBC).

Union Church ( UC) and SGBC are still exploring the idea of uniting as one church but did not progress very far with this during the year. Various meetings were held, with both diaconates and with members, plus the opinions of all members of both churches being sought.

It appeared that the main sticking point was forms of worship. It is recognised that the churches worship differently on Sunday mornings. Some deacons and members felt that as Christians worshipping the same God, it really ought to be possible and manageable to work out a reasonable compromise that would enable both churches to become a stronger congregation witnessing to Christ in North London.

The deacons met regularly during the year and dealt successfully with the increasing number of in-house repairs, decoration and renovations required in the 3 buildings we own. These are the Church and Community Centre, 143 Ferme Park Road (Little Tree Montessori Nursery and tenanted flat) plus the Manse at 53 Rokesly Avenue which is also tenanted.

The church required a new boiler; there was a gas leak in 143 Ferme Park Road and a new double-glazed window was required at The Manse. A storm in December wrecked a room in the Flat at 143 Ferme Park Road when roof tiles fell off and the walls became so damp that the plaster began to fall off! The list went on...

Everything required to make our properties hospitable and liveable was done. Thanks are due to our caretaker, Luke Griffiths, for expediting these repairs and Peter Kenyon, our Finance Officer, for dealing with our insurers when appropriate. Members need reminding

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that they were asked last year to make suggestions regarding a new and more suitable notice board for the 2020’s. Regrettably, none have been forthcoming. There is still time.

The biggest drama of 2023 was when a car catapulted through the railings one night, destroying said railings, knocking over the notice board and ending up on our lower hall wall (Weston Park side). Fortunately, the dreadful driver escaped unhurt and ran away from the stolen car but the Weston Park side of our church looked like a film set for quite some time.

It is sad but true that much of the deacons’ time was taken up with buildings and management issues. UC prides itself on having clean and modern spaces for groups to meet in. Witnessing and sharing God’s love in the community didn’t seem to make it to the top of the agenda very often. It is also sad but true that UC has an ageing membership and congregation which does make active witnessing difficult. Difficult, but not impossible.

The power of prayer has amazed and encouraged Christians throughout the centuries. Pentecost or Whitsuntide has just been celebrated and if the first Whitsun or the Church’s First Birthday had not happened, this report would not be written, UC and SGBC would not exist and the people of the UK might all be heathens.

However, UC IS still here and hopefully, will still be here in 10, 20, 30, 40……..years’ time. The big Church and Community Centre at the corner of Ferme Park Road and Weston Park must make its presence felt if it is to survive.

What did UC do for the community of Crouch End in 2023? The church doors were opened every second Sunday for a service. This mitigates against people turning up randomly on a Sunday when the worship is at SGBC.

The 3-2-1 Carer and Toddler Club opened on 3, then 4 mornings each week during term time. Run very ably by Paulette Wolfe, this is the nearest to outside ministry done by UC. The children’s Christmas parties, occasionally visited by Santa Claus, are always well

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attended and all the families are invited to everything happening at UC over the festive period. The church has held an afternoon Carol Service in mid-December for many years now, targeting families who live locally. These services used to be very well attended. In 2023, the few attendees were all church members. This was very disappointing. Much thought needs to be given as to how UC can share the love of God at Christmas time.

The recently formed Hornsey group of Churches (Middle Lane Methodist, the Moravian, Campsbourne Baptist, St Mary with St George, Holy Innocent’s plus Union Church) made an Act of Witness outside Sainsbury’s on Good Friday. There must have been about 50 people worshipping there.

A very few of our number joined a goodly number of others from these Hornsey churches singing outside Sainsbury’s in December. This was a great experience as the singers were accompanied by a small brass band and thus a joyful noise was made.

Paulette Wolfe and Kate Salinger helped out at a children’s morning held at Campsbourne Baptist Church in the October half-term. Not many children attended but the seeds were sown. The two ladies considered that UC would be a better venue as we had all the necessary equipment but not the personnel. Thought is required on that one.

Money for Christian Aid was collected in May. Money for the BMS Harvest Appeal was given at SGBC. A Quiz in aid of TearFund was held in the late Autumn and £404 was raised for their work. This was an increase on last year’s effort and so that of Year 2024 must look to even greater proceeds.

There was one really dire effort made at fundraising. It was decided to hold a Table Top Sale in the church on a Saturday. On the day, 4 sellers turned up and hardly anyone walked in to look or buy. How Crouch End has changed!!! 10 years ago, there would have been queues up the path to the pavement by opening time. Maybe the burghers of Crouch End have no need of second-hand books or exquisite, ancient ornaments anymore. UC will have to learn what is required in 2024 to make contact with our neighbours.

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It had been decided to hold our Christmas Day Lunch and Party and plans went ahead. £800 was given to us by Hornsey Parochial Charities to help fund the event with Dunn’s Bakery and Waitrose (Crouch End) predominantly helping out with goods. It was soon noticed that the numbers of guests were down. They had been since Covid. Before the virus struck, there were usually 100 guests and helpers eating their Christmas Lunch in the church. In 2023 there were only 72 guests and helpers. It may be that some people have moved further away or are now being offered hospitality by family or neighbours or that some elderly people are still germ-averse in crowds.

Huge thanks are due to Paulette Wolfe and Dewight Wedderburn who had to take the lead on the 25[th] December due to the untimely death of Kate Salinger’s husband, Brian, who sadly died on 21[st] December. Along with Margaret Hervie, our supreme Administrator, they ensured that all went well on Christmas Day and that a great time was had by all.

We must all thank God for our chef, Luke Underhill. An acknowledged heathen, he freely gives up his time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to help prepare and cook the excellent 3-course meal which is offered to the guests and helpers. There is now a wellpractised number of volunteers on Christmas Eve who make short work of peeling vast numbers of potatoes, parsnips, carrots and sprouts whilst Luke makes soup from whatever is at hand.

UC is very blessed with having these volunteers. The sad thing is that none of them wish to go into the service on Christmas morning although they can often be heard humming the tunes of the carols.

So 2023 ended very much as it had begun. Let us hope and pray that by the end of 2024, progress can be reported in spreading the word of God in Crouch End.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Union Church and Community Centre, Crouch End is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, and the London Baptist Association. The Church is a member

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of the United Reformed Church of England, Wales and Scotland, within the District of Central and North London of the Thames North Synod.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

On 25[th] April 2010, the Annual General Meeting of the Church and Congregation and Joint Council adopted a new constitution provided for it by Churches Together North Thames, our sponsoring body, in order to meet the requirement of the Charity Commission, that the Church become a separate, registered charity and the application process initiated. In October 2012, it was found that the registration was not complete and the process was restarted. The charity registration was completed on 25[th] February 2013.

TRUSTEES

The Trustees elected in April 2010 were appointed to serve for a three-year term with a restriction that, having served continually for a period of 6 (six) years, they should take a sabbatical break. The current Deacons will continue in office.

The Deacons serving as Charity Trustees are Kate Salinger Elected 29[th] April 2010 Peter Gilbert Elected 5th May 2019 Paulette Wolfe Co-opted as a Deacon on 11[th] June 2023 Dewight Wedderburn Co-opted as a Deacon on 26[th] February 2023

STAFFING

Particular thanks are also due to our staff:

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All our staff work to the benefit of the Church and Centre. We are very fortunate in having each one of them. The Church owes all of them a debt of gratitude.

Approved by the Trustees on

and signed on their behalf by Kate Salinger (Secretary)

Date: ………………………………………….

Signed by: ……………………………………

Attached: Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2023

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UNION CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE. CROUCH END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS AGGOUNT Page 1 Thi5 Y•ar 2023 Total É Last Year 2￿22 Total £ Year 2021 Totsl £ De6wnthJ ' Furth£ fte5t￿ed Furthe RECEIPTS Offerings Fursd Raising and Donations Mtsnies Raised for Outside Causes Lègacies Received Property- Lettings Property- CtturchlHall Users Bank Interest Sundry Income Mothers, & Toddlers. Club 2,487 2,615 587 26,250 76,248 35,643 520 285 8,427 2.487 2.615 587 26.250 76.248 35.e43 520 28S 8.427 2,618 382 982 2,143 10,013 58,129 40.971 1,000 42,045 20,777 958 5,188 525 2,290 Totsl Réceipt$ 153.082 153062 118.271 69,763 PAYMENTS M*nTrslry Mothers and Toddlers Church Running Costs ProgTamrne Activrty Cost$ Support of Outsid& Causes Maintenance of Church Buildings Maintenance of Inv8Strnent Propety Sundry Expendituro 1,620 5.874. 86,182 2.256 557 19,161 12.373 1,211 1.820 5,674 66,182 2,256 S57 19,161 12.373 1,211 6.839 4.051 65.248 832 16,903 3,030 68,697 1,031 72 14.205 9,712 300 13,220 19,005 906 Total Payments 109034 110.101 113,950 NET RECEIPTS I IPAYMENTSI TPANSFERS between funds ¢hange In Investment val￿• CASH FUNDS blfwd l January CASH FUNDS ¢lfwd 31 Decetnber 44.027 44,027 8.170 -44,187 120,207 11,800.. -120,207 11,800 -18.200 23.502 182,607 31,886 151.893 161,923 207.720 207.720 151,893 161,923 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Cash 8#nk Current Account Deposit Accounts SynodlBaptist Trust Deposits Total monetary a￿•ts other assets Gift Re¢overable other Monies due to Church 72 3,735 84,827 139.086 72 128 3,735 15,450 64.827 9,QJ2 139,086 127.285 82 7,591 8,765 145,485 10 Insurance pRpald Assets Used for church ptsrpo$es Buildings under statutory trusts Church Contents Church buildings and manse Fumishings and equipment Liabillties Indepenclent Examination Opus Energy Scottish & Southem Elo¢tri¢ty APPROVED bythe Trustees ow. 04 . I¢ and signed on their behalf by (Prfnt Namèl (Signatu￿)

UNION CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, CROUCH END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 TREASURER'S STATEMENT I have prepared the financial statement$ on Page 1 for the year ended 31 December 2023 from the 'accounting records of the church. PÈT￿ *fvJYO (Print Namel Isignaturo) 31 . IO. IOILk(Dale) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT I report on the financial statements of Union Churth and Community Cenlre, Crouch End for the year ended on 31 Decembgr 2023 and sfjl out on Page 1. Respective responsSbllities The church is responsible for the preparation of the financial stslemen18, and considers thal the audit requirement of Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to . slate. on the basis of protsdures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners . under Secticm 14515llbl of the Act, whether particular mallers have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions of the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accouhting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also Includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations conceming any suth mallers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in 8n audit, and ¢on$equently I ijo not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements. Independent Examiners slatement In connection with my examination of the church funds, nothing came to my attention which gave me cause lo believe otherwise than that the financial statements accord with the accounting records of th• thurch. and that those records satisfied the requiremenls of the Act. l am nol aware of any maller-to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a propgr understanding of the financial statements to be reached. David Watts FCA Newion & Garner Ltd 47 Topsfield Parade Crouch End London N8 8PT

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

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Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Union Church and Community Centre, Crouch End On accounts for the year 31[st] December 2023 Charity no 1150944 ended (if any) Set out on pages

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/12/2023 .

Responsibilities and basis of report

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 examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have 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.

Signed: Name: David Watts FCA Relevant professional ICAEW qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 47 Topsfield Parade London N8 8PT

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Date: 23/05/2024
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Oct 2018

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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 N/A any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

Oct 2018

2

IER