## Trinity Church Sunderland Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2025 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk ## **TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND** ## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** **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** Benjamin Jeremy Richard Goldenberg Richard George Morley The Reverend Dr Ian Mark Somasundram Thomas John Ream Welch **NAMES OF ADVISERS** Treasurer: Donald Kernohan Solicitors: Monro Fisher Wasbrough LLP Edward Connor Solicitors **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Sarah Crispin 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 Page 1 ## **Annual Report of the Charity Trustees** ## **September 1[st] 2024 - August 31st 2025** ## **Trinity Church Sunderland, Stockton Road, SUNDERLAND SR2 7AQ** 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. Page 2 ## **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 Trinity Church Sunderland is financed through charitable giving raised through the membership as well as external supporters of the ministry. 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 and between 6- 7:30pm during school term time. During these times there are opportunities 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. ## **Developments Sept 2024 - August 2025** This last year has seen continued growth in number within the church family particularly at Sunday morning gatherings. The continued focus has been on structural changes as well as pathways into discipleship for a church that is no longer small but is not large. 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. The community hub café on Thursday afternoons, partnered with Durham Christian Partnership as a foodbank, is now well established. ## **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 some specific evangelistic courses as well as some street evangelism in the city centre. Christmas Page 3 and Easter remain prime opportunities including through Carol Services, Trinity Tots and an Easter Family afternoon tea. This last year saw a joint Good Friday Easter celebration with like-minded churches in Mowbray Park. Church members were given the opportunity to give away free evangelistic books to someone over both the Easter and Christmas period. ## **EQUIP** Sunday meetings, small groups and Prayer meetings remain the hub of equipping the congregation for works of ministry. The 4 pastoral groups across the church family are significant in this. _Sundaypm_ continued to give an opportunity for church regulars to dig deeper into various aspects of discipleship a youth group for children in year 6 and up. There are periodic and regular training slots for specific ministry such as those leading services. There was book group between May-July considering how to develop a culture of evangelism. 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** 3 adults have been through a church membership course this year. Children's work on Sundays continued 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. Sundaypm plays an important role in both equipping and establishing the saints beginning the new city catechism this year. ## **Further details:** - The number of _registered members_ of Trinity Church Sunderland has increased from 46 to 49 adults over the period. There are around 80 adults under the pastoral care of 4 groups. A regular Sunday gathering is around 90 adults. There are over 30 children and young adults who regularly attend on Sundays. Church attendance on Sundays has continued to be multi-cultural. - The church Safeguarding Officer, Sarah Kernohan resigned from January 2025. Tom Widdowson was appointed. Mark Graham continued as deputy safeguarding officer as. Rev Dr Ian Somasundram continued as Trustee responsible for Safeguarding. - Duncan Woods remained seconded as a Crosslands Seminary Tutor. 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. Dan Martin (pastor, Grace Church Gateshead) and Matt Oliver (pastor, Hardwick Baptist church) together make up the committee during this period. - Tom Widdowson was appointed 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 2024- August 2025 has continued to see growth at Trinity and the structural changes required to meet the needs of a diverse church. Page 4 ## **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 2025 was £75,878 (2024: £81,597) and its expenditure for the year was £83,398 (2024: £75,885). The charity has therefore reported a deficit of £7,520 (2024: surplus £5,712). The charity’s bank and cash balances decreased by this year’s deficit of £7,520 to £39,226, 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 yearend the charity held unrestricted cash of £39,021 (2024: £46,541) 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 May 12, 2026 …………………………………………………. Duncan Woods (May 12, 2026 16:53:21 GMT+1) ……………………………… Duncan Woods - Trustee Date Page 5 ## **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 2025 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: 1. 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. ## Sarah Crispin Sarah Crispin (May 19, 2026 13:42:12 GMT+1) Sarah Crispin Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB Date: May 19, 2026 Page 6 ## **TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |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
£
54,133
12,353
4,000
2,850
792
1,250
75,378
77,107
5,791
82,898
-
82,898
(7,520)
-
(7,520)
46,541
39,021|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
500
-
-
-
500
500
-
500
-
500
-
-
-
205
205|2025
£
54,133
12,353
4,500
2,850
792
1,250
75,878
77,607
5,791
83,398
-
83,398
(7,520)
-
(7,520)
46,746
39,226|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| The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts. Page 7 ## **TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** |**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
**C**
**Liabilities**
2025 accounts
2024 accounts
Other creditors
Independent examiner's fees for preparing
and examining the:|Unrestricted
funds
£
38,901
120
**39,021**
12,273
-
**12,273**
1,164
1,140
4,032
**6,336**|Restricted
funds
£
205
-
**205**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
**-**|2025
£
39,106
120
**39,226**
12,273
-
**12,273**
1,164
1,140
4,032
**6,336**|2024
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||46,626
120| |||||**46,746**
| |||||12,353
-| |||||**12,353**| |||||1,500
1,140
1,172| |||||**3,812**| ## **D Assets retained for charity's own use** |Church building
Fittings and equipment|Fund to
which asset
belongs| |---|---| ||Restricted
Unrestricted| 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 Duncan Woods (May 12, 2026 16:53:21 GMT+1) May 12, 2026 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Duncan Woods - trustee Date The notes on page 9 form part of these accounts. Page 8 ## **TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025** ## **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
NEGP
Grants for overseas mission work
Crosslinks
Frontiers
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Grants for relief of poverty
Individuals|Unrestricted
funds
£
61,494
7,238
6,875
1,500
77,107
1,608
125
1,353
1,353
1,353
-
5,791|Restricted
Funds
£
500
-
-
-
500
-
-
-
-
-
-|Total
2025
£
61,994
7,238
6,875
1,500
77,607

1,608
125
1,353
1,353
1,353
-
5,791|Total
2024
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||44,428
15,085
9,418
-| |||||68,931
| |||||1,476
-
1,353
1,353
1,353
1,420| |||||6,954
| ## **4 Transactions with related parties** Duncan Woods served as church leader and was paid £45,239 (2024: £43,419) 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** |FODI fund
Staff fund|Opening
balance
£
205
-
205|Receipts
£
-
500
500|Payments
£
-
(500)
(500)|Transfers
£
-
-
-|Closing
balance
£
205
-| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||205| **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. **Staff fund** : this fund was created from donations received to help employ church staff. Page 9