2023-07-31-accounts - The Mission Church, Morriston

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Trustees annual re ort p

COVERING AUGUST 2022 – JULY 2023

The Mission Church

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From : 1[st] August 2022 to 31[st] July 2023

Charity name: The Mission Church Morriston

Charity registration number: 1154691

Aims and Purposes:

The Church's aim is to welcome as many people as possible into our Church community, in order for them to learn more about the Christian faith and take part in public worship of Jesus.

Objectives and Activities

The Mission Church is committed to the advancement of the Christian faith, firstly to our local community (Morriston) but also nationally and internationally.

Public benefit

When planning our activities for the year, the trustees considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith through:

Worship, prayer, learning about the Bible, and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
Provision for pastoral care for any person who attends the Church.
Mission including outreach.
Financial donations to other Christian charities, or individuals in need (regardless of their faith). We hire the Memorial Hall in Morriston. This means we do not need to spend money on maintaining a church building. Two of our trustees sit on the committee of the Memorial Hall, and help to maintain good relationships with them and the wider community.

Safeguarding

We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead- Ian Fearn alongside a deputy Mary Skinner ensuring that we are up to date to the correct standard. Our membership with Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS) has been a big help with this as we continue to learn from our Safeguarding Culture Review.

Achievement and performance

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Worship and prayer

Our Sunday Service remains the main focal point of our life as a church, allowing people to attend, have fellowship with each other and be taught about their Christian faith.

During this year the church was settling back into the routine of meeting together having started back in May 2022. Ian Fearn continued to oversee and run the first part of the service as well as holding keys for the building and being part of the set up team. This would include maintaining a relationship with Morriston RFC regarding the parking situation and their fixtures each week.

The service has essentially remained the same with a time of praise and worship as well as a small teaching slot and a time for a children’s song.

The Pastor has the responsibility for the preaching and teaching at The Mission Church. This main responsibility is seen primarily through our Sunday Services, Wednesday Connect Group, Kidz Connect every Thursday and the bi-monthly gatherings on a Saturday morning. Our Pastor also preaches at other local Churches when asked to do so, in particular the Mission Church in Cwmtwrch.

We are usually 40+ Children and Adults on a Sunday morning, and there are questions and teaching material for the adults who teach our children and young people.

The teaching and preaching is undertaken in an expositional manner, making the point of the text the point of the sermon with contemporary application, so that our congregation can ground the teaching material in everyday situations, aiding them by providing written notes.

Prayer group and Connect groups and discipleship groups

As born-again Christians, living out our Christian faith, prayer is a crucial core discipline which is undertaken regularly and modelled to all who attend. Prayer can reveal who we are and what we do, it also reveals where our confidence is, in facing everyday life, trusting fully in God. As Pastor and with the leadership team, whenever we meet, we start with prayer, from Sunday mornings, midweek connect groups, COG Meetings, Elders Meetings, Kidz Connect etc.

We have also continued to have a minimum of 3 weekly prayer times throughout the year, usually in January, May and September. We have been greatly encouraged by those attending, the prayers offered and the dynamic way in which our Lord Jesus answers those prayers in accordance with His good, pleasing and perfect will.

There are two church members that meet for prayer on a Wednesday morning, praying regularly for people at The Mission Church.

The Connect Groups have continued throughout the past year. We have consolidated what were our 4 Connect Groups that meet weekly, in line with the

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School Term, to a centralised meeting in person/zoom that meet in the evening on a Wednesday.

The Connect Group provides a great opportunity to connect with one another, have fellowship, pray together, look at the sermon, and undertake Bible Studies.

We run “Read and Relate”, which meets bi-monthly on a Saturday morning, from 7:30am-8:30am. A small group of around 12-13 people meet and journey through a book written by a Christian, dealing with understanding and getting to know Jesus more, but also it helps us to connect deeper with one another, develop our confidence in reading and grow in our understanding in what it means to be a Christian. So far, we have tackled 4 books, we meet one month on and then have one month off taking 4 chapters every month.

Along with facilitating this, there are three other discipleship groups, two that meet monthly and the other bi-monthly. One is going through a book on Gospel Leadership, another is going through a book Called “Disciplines of a godly man”, and the last one is “Biblical Eldership. The Pastor facilitates all groups.

Pastoral support

Our Pastor, meets regularly with people in the Church, who consider themselves to be in need of pastoral support. During the past year this has continued to meet either in person or on zoom, listening to people, praying with them and suggesting ways forward as we look at Scripture together. This has helped those families start to work through necessary issues in a constructive helpful way.

Memorial Hall Committee

As part of our work in the community two members of the leadership have a position on the Committee of The Memorial where our services are held. Since the pandemic we have had bi-monthly meetings in which we work through the management of the hall.

Management

As a Leadership team we have a yearly planner which details all meetings, we meet once a month to review and update as needed any policies and procedures. The planner also details all other meetings held within Church life.

The Elders have continued to plan and respond to the challenges that have been brought about because of Covid. Plans have changed as the pandemic has changed, and as a Church we have strived to encourage our people to be law abiding citizens and in doing so, this can serve both the local and national mission of the Church by being responsible citizens.

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Mission, ministries and Evangelism

The Mission Church continues to look for ways to be involved in both the local and wider community. Some of the ways we do this are:

Family Services

Our Family services run once every 6-8 weeks usually on the first or second Sunday of school holidays. It is an opportunity for the whole family of church to be together, worship and praise as well as hear a Bible Story aimed at young and old alike as well as some “skits” and games. We enjoy food together and a bouncy castle. This year saw the return of our family services and the opportunity to invite people to come along. It has also seen the beginning of involving more people in the service itself with Bible Readings and prayers.

Partnerships with other Churches.

The Mission Church has continued to seek and develop “informal partnerships” with other Churches and Pastors. We continue to pray for other Churches and periodically meet with Church leaders to encourage one another, share resources where we can, and provide preaching support.

We support other Pastors in Wales, England and in Nepal, by sending encouraging texts, purchasing books for one another, meeting in person, through zoom and visiting one another and obviously praying for one another. Sometimes we meet up at Conferences!

Beginnings

Having returned back to Beginnings in June 2022 the group resumed in September 2022 after the summer term holidays. Beginnings is our parent and toddler group, open for any parent, grandparent, or carer etc to bring their preschool (0-3) children to. Whilst at Beginnings the children remain the responsibility of the person who brought them to the group. The church has a team of usually 6 people helping each week.

Beginnings provides the opportunity for people to come, for their children to enjoy the toys, snacks and story time while they can have a cup of tea and spend time with friends. Over the year we have averaged around 22 children once a week. It’s a great way to serve our community and connect with people.

Involved Together

In September 2022 I.T moved to the Fearn’s house. Each week the older people (60+) get together over food, teaching and a quiz run by Dave Stanton. It’s a great time for people to get out of the house, be around each other and catch up with how we are all doing. As well as having Biblical input usually a recap of our sermon from the Sunday before. With loneliness being such an issue in our country especially for older people this gives an opportunity to combat that for those that wish to join us.

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’ – Children s ministry Kidz Connect

Our children’s club meets on a Thursday evening for 40 minutes. As it was during the pandemic we meet on zoom. We have around 7 under 18’s attend as well as some adults from the church. It is a time to go through the Bible, sing and play games together as well as activities themed to the story we are going through. As well as Kidz Connect we also have a Light Party during October and have continued with our Holiday Connect group during the summer holidays.

Love in Action

As a Church we like to share the love of Jesus Christ with others. One of the ways we do this is through what we call 'Love in Action'. Which means when we are made aware of a need amongst our Church or wider community, we try to meet that need, e.g. this could be financially (see financial donations and support) or we have provided meals for a couple who had a baby. We also try to send flowers and cards to those who are going through a difficult time or need some encouragement.

Nepal

This year was the first year since the pandemic that a group from the Mission Church travelled to Nepal. Ian and Dawn Fearn managed all the practical aspects of the trip. We took eight people to Nepal this year. Alongside this to liaise with our friends in Nepal over aspects of the trip. During the time there we also had three days of bible study with people from two churches in Nepal. (see below) We also spent time visiting the Dolpa Hope Children’s home who we have been supporting since 2013.

We also have the opportunity to preach and teach and run a small training conference for Pastors, elders and emerging leaders, again taking them through expositional preaching and teaching.

We are currently planning for the trip and the necessary material needed for October 2023, planning to teach through the Book of Colossians.

Membership

All are welcome to attend our regular services, connect groups and prayer group. For those wanting to make a deeper commitment to the body of Christ, membership is available. We have a clear structure on those wishing to pursue membership.

We currently have 27 members (21st May 2023) We have two members meeting each year.

We have had one baptism this year!

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These meetings are planned for May and November, November is when we have our AGM.

Agendas and minutes are provided and are available on the member’s section of our website.

Website and social media

A great way to promote the Church and inform people is through the internet. The Mission Church has its own website which is updated regularly and provides a wealth of information on the Church and its activities. There is also a member’s area in which to access meeting minutes and other relevant documentation. It also has the full version of the Independent Safeguarding Culture Review We also use Facebook, to inform people of upcoming events and to advertise what is going on in the Church.

Financial review

Independent examiner of accounts : Phillip Harris

Gordon Down and Co 144, Walters Road Swansea SA1 5RW
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	The total income received during this period was : £ 81,185 The total expenditure for this period was £59,663 Leaving expenditure over income total of : £21,522
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The reserves covers a month’s hall hire and running costs for one month, one month’s salary and one month’s remuneration which is £2345 (Oct 2021) This amount is held within the church savings account, which currently holds £12,595
Amount of reserves held	We currently hold £2,345
Reasons for holding zero reserves	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Trustee remuneration, benefits and expenses.

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The charity makes monthly payments to one of the trustees Pastor M Skinner for his services as a pastor. This is under an office holder’s agreement not an employee. The is also a memorandum of office in place detailing remuneration and expenses for the pastor. As part of this there is a monthly payment made to him for previous incurred expenses as part of ministry.

Trustees are permitted within our financial procedures to claim for items such as travel costs, accommodation costs, conferences, hospitality, and books.

Our charity constitution makes provision for the remuneration of trustees. (point 10)

Financial donations and support

We have financially supported a number of individuals involved in Christian ministry and make financial donations to individuals, known to the Church, who are in need (regardless of their faith)

This includes-

Season tickets £386 ( ministry purposes)

Monthly donation to Iranian family - £1,150

Mission Church Cwmtwrch - £150

In this period, we have also spent £12,485 on our Nepal partnerships.

Church structure

The Mission Church is governed by the Church constitution and rules dated 1st November 2013. All Church Officers (Pastor, Elders and Deacons) become a Trustee when they assume their position as a Church Officer. The Trustees meet twice a year. Decisions are made by a majority vote between the trustees.

Administrative details

Charity name	The Mission Church Morriston
Other name the charity uses	None
Registered contact	Dawn Fearn
Registered charity number	1154691
Charity’s principal address	143, Vicarage Road Morriston Swansea SA6 6DR

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	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
1	Mark Skinner	Pastor/Elder	N/A
2	Ian Fearn	Elder	1/11/2021
3	Dawn Fearn	Deacon and secretary	Re-appointed November 2021
4	Christine Skinner	Treasurer	Re-appointed November 2022
5	David Stanton	Deacon	Re-appointed November 2022
6	Kerri Hopkins	Deacon

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MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

www.missionchurchmorriston.com Registered charity number: 1154691

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MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2023
INCOME THIS YEAR
30,445 Collections and Offerings 42,784
8,742 Other Gifts, Donations and Income Received 29,751
- Interest Received 59
3,674 Gift Aid Tax Reclaimed 8,591
42,861 81,185
EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR
3,715 Donations and Support 6,438
Outreach:
180 Hospitality 966
177 Events and Activities 3,506
130 Hall Hire 4,103
10,150 Nepal Support Expenditure 12,485
14,436 Remuneration of Church Workers 14,401
- Gift for leaders 1,100
20 Books and Materials 194
206 Stationery 194
309 Insurance 371
2,552 Sundry Expenses and Equipment 1,516
3,156 Subscriptions and Regulatory Costs 880
100 Website Costs 131
11,333 Expenses for Church workers 13,377
46,464 Total Expenditure 59,663
-3,603 Excess of Expenditure over Income for the Year 21,522
12,412 Funds Brought Forward 8,809
8,809 Funds Carried Forward 30,331
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MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

Analysis of Funds at end of year

*2022* 475 Cash in hand 7,173 Bank Savings Account 1,161 Bank Account 8,809	*2023* - 12,595 17,736 30,331

MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

www.missionchurchmorriston.com Registered charity number: 1154691

MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

MISSION CHURCH, MORRISTON

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST JULY 2023

Analysis of Funds at end of year

*2022* 475 Cash in hand 7,173 Bank Savings Account 1,161 Bank Account 8,809	*2023* - 12,595 17,736 30,331