## **Minutes of 61[st] Annual General Meeting of the Trustees of Southcote Family Church, held on Sunday 9[th] June 2024 following the morning service.** ## **Opening prayer and short “thought”** Norman read John 14:1-7. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from them on earth, although He hadn’t told them in so many words. He was following God’s plan for Him. This is the example for us – to follow the path God sets for us. We are where God wants us to be! Norman then prayed before the business of the meeting began. **Present:** Norman Lindsey, Graham Edge, Linda Edge, Helmut Haines, Pete Cole and Judi Charters. **Apologies:** Barry Young sent his apologies. **Appointment of Chair and Secretary:** as both Norman and Judi were willing to stand once again, and as no one else wished to, Norman was proposed as Chair by Graham and seconded by Pete, and Judi was proposed for the position of Secretary by Norman and seconded by Pete. **Minutes of last AGM –** agreed as a true record. **Matters arising from that meeting, not covered elsewhere:** Judi pointed out that guidelines for the use of the church building had been reviewed and that the regular “outside” users of the building, Aglow and Age UK, had been informed of the necessity to look at costings for the hire of the hall. Negotiations had been amicable. One sentence in our Fire Risk Assessment would be altered, stating that although use of candles in the building was not permitted, candles used for worshipspecific purposes, such as Christingle and Advent, would be allowed. This would apply only to use in our own services. At the last AGM Barry asked if there was any stipulation in the CIO that the Treasurer had to be a Trustee. Judi reported that she had found no such stipulation. **Financial Report:** the financial report prepared by Graham Allen, our Treasurer, was discussed. All agreed with Graham Edge that Graham A is doing an excellent job in keeping abreast of all financial matters within the church. The report was clearly presented, showing the inevitable drop in our finances due to the fact that we are now paying out a pastor’s salary each month. Most of the church’s money is now in the TSB account as opposed to the Co-Op bank, and is consequently accruing more interest. **Leadership Report, including Pastor’s Report:** Henry’s annual report for the Trustees was discussed. Having been with us now for a whole year, it is pleasing to read that Henry feels loved and supported by the fellowship. Henry is clearly working hard to cover all aspects of the contractual requirements for his job, and appears to be settling into the role very well. Henry is a Godly man who is making many inroads into the church’s involvement in the local community – details of which are contained in his report. Reservations were expressed, however, by Graham and Judi from the Leadership Team’s perspective, that there has been no visual growth in numbers of people attending our services. As four of our older members have passed away in the past year, our numbers have dwindled. It is difficult to see how the church will grow in respect of the services we offer on a Sunday, as we have no facility for the sort of worship aspect of the service that a newcomer might be able to relate to. A small number of people have come to a couple of services, but have not returned. In addition to this, Henry’s children do not have anyone of their ages, or anywhere near their ages, in the church. As the family home is on the other side of Reading, they cannot easily integrate into our fellowship any friends they might make in Woodley. Much prayer is needed in this area of Henry’s ministry. The church continues to house a Coffee and Chat session each Wednesday and a Prayer Meeting on Friday mornings. There are no major issues outstanding with regards to the maintenance of the church building. Henry is keen to implement a Neighbourhood Chaplaincy initiative in the local area. Some from our number have shown an interest in helping with the “Pantry” being set up in the Community Centre to help families in need of support. **AOB:** The Leadership Team continues to operate with five members, and two more have been added to the Leadership Support Team, making that also a team of five. **Date of next AGM and reminder of date for Policy Review meeting:** **Next AGM – Sunday 8[th] June 2025,** following morning service. **Next Policy Review Meeting - Sunday 26[th] January 2025. The meeting closed with Prayers.** **Southcote Family Church 2023/2024 Summary of Accounts at 31 March 2024** |**Balances**
Co-op
Lloyds
Lloyds 32 Day Notice
Cash
Balance at 1 April 2023
Income
Expenditure
Balance at 31 March 2024
**Decrease**|£14,642.12
£6,248.71
£60,730.56
£294.30
£81,915.69
£91,099.73
£43,920.97
£53,105.01
£81,915.69
£9,184.04| |---|---| ## **Notes** As you can see, whilst our finances remain strong, we have finished the year with a reduced balance. This was as we expected when we employed Henry, and we can sustain this position for a few more years whilst we look to reach out into the community, and hopefully grow our congregation and return to being able to balance our income and expenses. As I mentioned part way through the year other additional costs we incurred as Henry and family joined us were kindly covered by members of our congregation through additional giving. We also spent on some large maintenance projects this year with the replacement of the kitchen flooring, the modification of the toilet doors and some roof repairs, as well as some more minor repairs and improvements. Like everyone, we are not immune to the rising energy prices which have more than doubled our costs from last year, as we had to renew contracts. Thank you for your continued financial support; please keep giving what you can. If you are a tax payer please GIFT AID your giving. Graham Allen treasurer.southcotefamilychurch@yahoo.com Page 1 of 3 ## **Southcote Family Church Income and Expenditure to 31 March 2024** |**Southcote Family Church Income**|**and Expenditure to 31 March 2024**| |---|---| |**Income**
Offerings and Gifts
Giving - Gift Aided
Giving - General
Special Gifts
Hire of Hall
Gift Aid Tax Reclaim
Bank Interest
Mission
**Expenditure**
**General Administration**
Pastor Salary and Tax
Salary
Rent Support
Pastor Visit
Employer Pension
Visiting Speakers
Stationery \ Printing \ Licences
Licences
Ministry Equipment \ Training
Pastoral Care
**Land and Buildings**
Maintenance
Equipment
Insurance
Cleaning
Utilities
Telephone & Broadband
Gas
Electric
Water
**Donations to Mission**
Mission
**Miscellaneous**
Catering
Flowers|£32,784.60
£24,166.48
£7,918.12
£700.00
£1,880.00
£6,181.23
£730.56
£2,344.58
£43,920.97
£31,100.00
£27,500.00
inc Tax and Pension
£3,600.00
£475.00
Easter 2023
£475.20
£880.05
£2,228.93
£913.14
£1,315.79
£1,652.00
£3,758.73
£1,519.89
£1,563.44
£170.15
£4,893.22
£863.43
£2,269.75
£1,437.41
£322.63
£4,039.00
£160.40
£189.00
£53,105.01| |**Donations to Mission Breakdown**
Christmas
Sharon Nordley
Operation Christmas Child
Yeldall
CCA
Macmillan
GNFE
OM
Tear Fund
Barnabus Aid|**Specific**
**Donations**
**Church**
**Funds**
**Total**
£765.24
£194.76
£960.00
£347.00
£243.00
£590.00
£450.00
£109.00
£559.00
£110.00
£250.00
£360.00
£100.00
£250.00
£350.00
£255.89
£44.11
£300.00
£50.00
£250.00
£300.00
£50.00
£250.00
£300.00
£196.45
£103.55
£300.00
£20.00
£0.00
£20.00
**£2,344.58**
**£1,694.42**
**£4,039.00**| Page 2 of 3 ## **Southcote Family Church Income and Expenditure to 31 March 2024 Graphical Summary** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income
£30,000
55%
£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£10,000 18%
14%
£5,000 5% 4%
2% 2%
£0
Giving - Giving - Gift Aid Causes Hire of Hall Special Bank
Gift Aided General Tax Gifts Interest
Reclaim
Expenses
£35,000
60%
£30,000
£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£10,000
13%
9% 10%
8%
£5,000
£0
Pastor Buildings Utilities Admin & Misc Causes
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 3 of 3 Southcote Famlly Church Charlty reglstratlon numbor 1156292 - UTR 2685924383 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrictivo fund8 2023 2024 Income Offerings and Gifts Giving under Gift Aid Specific Gifts Hire of Hall Bank Interest Income Tax 9,461 24,520 16,080 1,405 9,448 24,981 700 1,880 731 £56 461 £ 43 921 Ex ndlturo General Admlnlstratlon Pastor Pension Visiting Speakers Youth Work Stationery I Printing l Licences Pastoral Care 1,240 31,575 475 880 5,000 1,601 260 2,229 1,652 Land & Buildin costs Premises and Equipment Utilities I Insurance I Cleaning 6,393 4,139 5,279 6,627 Donations to Mission Various Missions Christmas Appeal 4,505 1,300 3,079 Mlscollanoous Sundry Items Catering & Flowers 1,474 235 349 Surplusldeficit for the year In accordance with instrnctions given to me, I have checked, without carying out an audiL the aEK)ve Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 st Marcm 2024, from the records and from infornjation given to me. and can confirni that they are in accordance therewitlL Tilehurst 31 st May 2024 Il J. Rop¢r Accountant