2024-08-31-accounts - Trinity Church Sunderland

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Trinity Church Sunderland

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2024

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Trinity Church Sunderland Stockton Road Sunderland SR2 7AQ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution for a CIO Association from 11 April 2023 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1154068 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Duncan Hellier Woods (Senior Minister) MANAGING THE CHARITY The Reverend Peter John Gaskell (resigned April 2024) Benjamin Jeremy Richard Goldenberg Richard George Morley The Reverend Dr Ian Mark Somasundram (appointed April 2024) Thomas John Ream Welch NAMES OF ADVISERS Treasurer: Donald Kernohan Solicitors: Monro Fisher Wasbrough LLP Edward Connor Solicitors INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB INDEX Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 9 Notes to the Accounts

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Trinity Church Sunderland Stockton Road, SUNDERLAND SR2 7AQ

Annual Report Of The Trustees For the Year Ended 31 August 2024

INTRODUCTION

Trinity Church Sunderland operates as an independent evangelical church affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches within the North-East Gospel Partnership. Duncan Woods was appointed as minister commencing ministry at the inauguration of Trinity Church Sunderland in September 2013.

The Charity is constituted to advance the Christian Faith including:

The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom by the continued faithful teaching of the Scriptures at Trinity Church Sunderland and by the recruitment, education training and sending of gospel ministers and others around the United Kingdom and abroad to establish and renew Christian churches and ministries related thereto.
The relief of need, hardship, physical or mental distress among any persons without limitation.
Support of Christians who are persecuted by reason of their faith provided always that such support shall be non-political in nature.
The support of Christians who are engaged full-time in the missionary work of proclaiming the Gospel and in bringing others to believe in Jesus Christ and to live in accordance with his teaching.

CHURCH STRUCTURE

Trustees

The five Trustees include the Senior Minister, two members of the Church and two who are not members of the Church. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees after being approved by the Leadership Team and by the general membership of the Church at the Annual General Meeting.

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team are members of the Church and discuss with the Senior Minister all major decisions of policy and hold the Senior Minister to account for his ministry. Their appointments are approved by the general membership of the Church at the Annual General Meeting.

Church Council

The role of the Church Council is to provide wise advice to the Leadership Team and the Trustees whether as provided in the Church Constitution or when requested by either body.

The Church Council consists of between six and twelve members of the Church approved by the general membership of the Church at the Annual General Meeting following proposal by the Leadership Team with a view to appointing only those who are godly examples in their lifestyles and who have proved themselves to be in full agreement with the aims and vision of the Church, the Basis of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives as outlined in the church handbook.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued

Members

Membership of the Church is open to any individual interested in promoting the Objects who

signs a declaration of personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in such form as the Leadership Team shall determine
signs a declaration of willingness to support and further the ministry of Trinity Church Sunderland through
praying (including whenever possible attending the main Church prayer meeting)
giving financially to the ministry of Trinity Church Sunderland
serving practically in whatever way appropriate and working in partnership with the wider church in the task of serving the church family and reaching out to the lost
signs the Register of Members so consenting in writing to becoming a member

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives, and in planning our activities.

The church meets to worship God, read the bible, pray, hear the scriptures taught and encourage each other. Sunday meetings currently take place at 10:30am. During this time there is also opportunity for younger children to participate in various groups.

Various activities occur during the week, including pastoral groups for mutual encouragement and prayer, a monthly prayer meeting, a toddler group as well as various opportunities for people to find out more about the Christian Faith.

The church supports missionary work by contributing to the financial needs of Robbie and Lizzie Bellis (Crosslinks) in Belgium, Eddie & Sue Arthur (Wycliffe Bible Translators) as well as another married couple in North Africa.

This last year has seen continued change in the church family with regard to number and ethnic diversity particularly at Sunday gatherings. The focus has been on structural change from a church of 40 to a church of 100.

This report reflects our continuing desire to be a gospel church, in community, prayerfully seeking to reach our locality. Our aims remain to faithfully proclaim God’s word prayerfully aiming to engage people with the gospel and evangelise while seeking to equip and establish believers . All so that everyone takes the next step with Jesus.

ENGAGE

The heartbeat of engagement is in organic relationships with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours. However, there are a number of church organised activities which aim to commend the gospel of Christ and meet the needs of local people. The church has continued to use the building to support the work of FODI (friends of the drop in – women’s refugee support), Sunderland music for all , our regular toddler group – Trinity Tots and to partner with Friends International for Globe café among international students at Sunderland University. This year the church developed the warm space café to partner with Durham Christian Partnership Foodbank and open a community hub café on Thursday afternoons each week.

EVANGELISE

Engaging the community gives opportunity to evangelise and while this often happens on a personal level there have been several church events throughout the year including Christianity and Hope Explored courses as well as some street evangelism in the city centre. Christmas and Easter remain prime opportunities for evangelism including through Carol Services, Trinity Tots and an Easter Family Fun day. Church members were given the opportunity to give away free evangelistic books to someone over both the Easter and Christmas period.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued

EQUIP

Sunday meetings, small groups and Prayer meetings remain the hub of equipping the congregation for works of ministry. This year saw the launch of pastoral groups to replace growth groups – seeking to ensure everyone at church has access to pastoral support whether they regularly attend bible study or not. We moved from 3 growth groups to 4 pastoral groups. Sundaypm continued to give an opportunity for church regulars to dig deeper into various aspects of discipleship; with youth group for children in year 6 and up. There are periodic and regular training slots for specific ministry such as those leading services.

The North East Gospel Partnership also provides equipping opportunities with the ministry training course on Tuesdays at Holy Trinity Gateshead, both men’s and women’s conferences as well as specific counselling questions through BCUK training at Christ Church Newcastle.

ESTABLISH

8 adults have been through a church membership course in March 2024. Children's work on Sundays has developed with TK Midis (school years 2 to 4) and TK Minis (school years 1, reception and nursery) upstairs and the crèche (under 3 year olds) downstairs. The Tuesday woman’s pastoral group continues for those who cannot get out in the evenings. A Men’s Fellowship Group started with half-termly socials. Sundaypm plays an important role in both equipping and establishing the saints thinking through issues such as being an intercultural church.

Further details:

The number of registered members of Trinity Church Sunderland has increased from 42 to 46 adults over the period. There are around 75 adults under the pastoral care of 4 groups. A regular Sunday gathering is around 80 adults. There are over 30 children who regularly attend on Sundays. Church attendance on Sundays has continued to be multi-cultural.
At the church members’ meeting of 21[st] April 2024 Rev Peter Gaskell resigned as a Trustee and Rev Dr Ian Somasundram of St. John’s Hebburn was appointed. Osa Oviawe and Ebiere Ndiomu were appointed to the church council.
The safeguarding policy is reviewed annually by Trustees in cooperation with the Safeguarding Officer. Rev Peter Gaskell had responsibility as a trustee overseeing safeguarding. Rev Dr Ian Somasundram took on this responsibility.
Duncan Woods remains seconded as a Crosslands Seminary Tutor for the north-east region overseeing up to 7 students from different churches. Trinity Church is remunerated for the seminar days and tutorial duties for which Duncan Woods is responsible.
Duncan Woods is a member of the steering committee for the North East Gospel Partnership meeting approximately once a quarter. Hugo Charteris (pastor, Christchurch Newcastle), Dan Martin (pastor, Grace Church Gateshead) and Matt Oliver (pastor, Hardwick Baptist church) together make up the committee during this period.
Between June and July 2024 the church advertised, interviewed for and then appointed Tom Widdowson as a part-time church operational manager to start in September 2024. The specific brief for the operational manager is to help the church with appropriate structures and support as we grow together for a church of 100 rather than 40.

Conclusion

Sept 2023- August 2024 has continued to see significant change at Trinity particularly with the appointment of a church operational manager as we seek to meet the needs of a growing and diverse church.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Trinity Church Sunderland is financed through charitable giving raised through the membership as well as external supporters of the ministry. The trustees are very grateful to everyone who has supported the church so generously.

The charity’s income for the year to 31 August 2024 was £81,597 (2023: £82,993) and its expenditure for the year was £75,885 (2023: £74,813). The charity has therefore reported a surplus of £5,712 (2023: £8,180).

The charity’s bank and cash balances increased by this year’s surplus of £5,712 to £46,746, nearly all of which is unrestricted.

RESERVES POLICY

The trustees have determined that the church should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £20,000 (which equates to about 3 months’ of unrestricted expenditure) so that the church could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. At the year-end the charity held unrestricted cash of £46,541 (2023: £40,452) and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.

RISK STATEMENT

The church is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the church's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

APPROVAL

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Duncan Woods

Jun 17, 2025 Duncan Woods (Jun 17, 2025 15:53 GMT+1) …………………………………………………. ……………………………… Duncan Woods - Trustee Date

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Trinity Church Sunderland ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2024 on pages 7 to 9 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

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

Ajay Rajani Ajay Rajani (Jun 18, 2025 06:34 GMT+1)

Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jun 18, 2025

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TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Notes *Income receipts* Donations Gift aid receipts Grants Letting facilities for community use Conferences, courses, events and resource sales Provision of services to Crosslands *Total receipts* *Payments* 2 3 *Total payments* Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Purchase of fixed assets	Unrestricted Funds £ 54,568 12,300 4,900 3,150 999 680 76,597 63,352 6,954 70,306 - 70,306 6,291 (202) 6,089 40,452 46,541	Restricted Funds £ 5,000 - - - - - 5,000 5,579 - 5,579 - 5,579 (579) 202 (377) 582 205	2024 £ 59,568 12,300 4,900 3,150 999 680 81,597 68,931 6,954 75,885 - 75,885 5,712 - 5,712 41,034 46,746	2023 £
				56,720 12,709 8,400 2,608 606 1,950
				82,993
				67,691 7,122
				74,813 -
				74,813
				8,180 -
				8,180 32,854
				41,034

The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.

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TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities 2023 accounts 2024 accounts Other creditors D Assets retained for charity's own use Church building Fittings and equipment Independent examiner's fees for preparing and examining the:	Unrestricted funds £ 46,421 120 46,541 12,353 - 12,353 1,500 1,140 1,172 3,812	Restricted funds £ 205 - 205 - - - - - - -	2024 £ 46,626 120 46,746 12,353 - 12,353 1,500 1,140 1,172 3,812 Fund to which asset belongs Restricted Unrestricted	2023 £
				40,914 120
				41,034
				12,300 -
				12,300
				1,500 - 680
				2,180

The church building is a long leasehold property and it was transferred from Sunderland Free Church to Trinity Church Sunderland in July 2013. The lease for the property expires in December 2078.

E Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Duncan Woods

Jun 17, 2025

Duncan Woods	Jun 17, 2025
Duncan Woods (Jun 17, 2025 15:53 GMT+1)
--------------------------------------------	--------------------------------------------
Duncan Woods - trustee	Date

The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts.

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TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Staff costs, including training Premises costs Other costs Independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants to support other charities Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches Grants for overseas mission work Crosslinks Frontiers Wycliffe Bible Translators Grants for relief of poverty Individuals	Unrestricted funds £ 39,428 15,085 8,839 - 63,352 1,476 1,353 1,353 1,353 1,420 6,954	Restricted Funds £ 5,000 - 579 - 5,579 - - - - - -	Total 2024 £ 44,428 15,085 9,418 - 68,931 1,476 1,353 1,353 1,353 1,420 6,954	Total 2023 £
				45,672 11,191 9,220 1,608
				67,691
				1,344 1,343 1,343 1,343 1,750
				7,122

4 Transactions with related parties

Duncan Woods served as church leader and was paid £43,419 (2023: £42,642) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

5 Movement on restricted funds

Bible fund FODI fund Staff fund	Opening balance £ 377 205 - 582	Receipts £ - - 5,000 5,000	Payments £ (579) - (5,000) (5,579)	Transfers £ 202 - - 202	Closing balance £ - 205 -
					205

Bible fund: this fund was created from donations received to help purchase Bibles.

FODI fund : this was created from donations received to help support the work of a drop in centre for asylum seekers and refugees, which makes use of the church building.

Building Repair fund: this fund was created from donations received to help repair the roof on the charity's church building and on repairing damaged caused by the leaking roof. With the permission of donors, the money left over after completing this work is being used for other building work.

Staff fund : this fund was created from donations received to help employ church staff.

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