Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period stsrt date 01 Period end date 31 03 From 2024 2025 To Section A Reference and administration details Charity name StThomas (Jacobite) Syrian Orthodox Church, Portsmouth. En land. UK Other names charity is known by Registered charty number (if any) 1159301 Charity's prlncipal address 77 Spitalfield Lane Chichester West Sussex Postcode P019 6SG Name8 of the charity trustees who manage the charity Tru8te8 name Officé (H any Dats8 a¢tod rf not for whol• ear Namo of porson lor body) èntitled oint tru8ts9 rfan Fr. Philip Thomas Mr. James Thadathil Mr. Poly Varghese Mr. Joy P. Jacob Mr. Ebin Varghese Mr. Madhu Mamman Mr. Reji P. Poulose Mr. Basil Ulahannan Mr. Sunny A. Alackal Mrs. Zeena Jose Mr. Rinish Kurian President Vice President Secretary Treasurer General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body General Body 10 Intemal Auditor 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the charity, rf any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates actsd rf not for whole ear TAR March 2012 Names and addresses of advisers (Optional inforniation) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional inforniation) Section B Structure, governance and management Description of the charity's trusts The Church's BylawlGoveming document is the constrtution that has been submitted to the Chanty Commission Type of governing document How the charty is constiluted Charitsble Trust Truslee selection methods Managing Committee membersl Board of Trustees are elected by the Annual General Body meeting Addltional governance issues (Optional infomiatlon) Our Church St.Thomas (Jacobite) Syrian Orthodox Church, Portsmouth is an integral part of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church led by the Patriarch. the Supreme Head of Antioch and all the East, currently, His Holiness Mor Ignalius Aphrem11 reigning the Apostolic throne of St.Peter. The Church also owes its allegiance to His Beautitude Dr. Joseph Mor Gregorios, the catholicos of the east {Malankarallndia) and his Suc￿sS0rs. the regional head of believers. The Patriarchal Vicar {metropolTtan in charge of UK) in consultation with the Patriarch govems and guides our church in the matters of faith. You may choose to include additional infonnation, where relevant, about: policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; the charitys organisational structure and any wider network with which the charty The vicarlpriesi of our church is appointed by the Patriarch through the Palriarchal Ificar. Vicar is fomially eIected as the president by the General Body. The Annual General Bodylmeeling elects all the office bearers including secretary, treasurer. intemal auditors and other managing committee memberslboard of trustees. All administrative and financial affairs of the church are managed and administered by the managing cornmitteelboard of trustees. The maximum number of trustees will be 10 excluding one or two internal auditors. The tenure of the elected managing committee is 2 years. • relationship with any related parties; trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. The managing comrnrtteelboard of trustees meets regularly at least once in two months to deliberate and make decisions regarding the day to day affairs of the church including the approval of new membership applications and financial matters. A half-yearEy general body meeting is also convened regulaty. We have sel out strict rules for the spending and to regulate the use of funds. All Income and expenditure is budgeted at the beginning of the financial year. The accounts of the church are internally audited by the intemal auditors. who are elected by the annual general body meeting. TAR March 2012 Section C Objectives and activities The most important object of our organisats'on is to advan￿ the religion of Christian faith especially that of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Harnpshire, West Sussex and the adjoining areas of south part of England. To maintain the faith, traditions and doctrines of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and to perfonn all the reSigious rites. Holy Eucharist, and the Holy Sacraments to all faithful members and the regular worship services. Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Our objects include raising funds to organise activities for community development. religious and charitable activities for the welfare of the church rnembers and also for the poor and needy in a wider society. To organise and conduct Sunday school, prayer meetings, family camps & retreals and to promote youth association and women's associalionfvanrtha samajam. To buy, rent. lease or acquire property and manage it for the church. To alleviate poverty and sickness. Our worship services include gatherings of all believers from Hampshire, West Sussex and the southem parts of England. In these gatherings we pray to God, leam Bible, the farth and traditions of our Church through the informative sermons of our priests and lay leaders. We teach our forthcoming generations about these through Sunday School lessons, Youth and Women's Association meeb'ngs as well as camps and retreat. In these worship services the most important sacraments of Holy Eucharist, baptism and wedding are administered as well. Our worship services finish wrth agape meals offered by families or funded sometimes by church to foster the aspect of sharing between us. Summary of the main activlties undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) The parish members in difficult situations such as sickness, bereavement, depravty, povety and family problems etc. are given special care through the house visits, counselling and prayers by our priests and trustees & volunteers. Sacraments such as anointing of the sick are done on such occasions. The poor and needy in the society (of any religion or community). especially in India are given financial support. The collections from Christrnas Carol services a￿ reserved for this purpose, in addition to the voluntary contributions or donations to the charity fund. The applications come through the parish members from the needy in their home towns or villages in India and decisions over them are taken in the regular committeeArustee meetings. At present the Holy Eucharist is celebraled every 2. and 4 Saturday of all the months, in addition to the special services of Christmas , Passion Week and Parish day celebrations. The Sunday School lessons, Youth Associations and Vanrtha Samajam Iwomen's Association) meetings are regularly organised after the worship services. Prayer meetings are conducted every Sunday and retreats are organised occasionally. TAR March 2012 Additional details of objectives and acttvities (Optional infomiation) We gNe donations to applicants recommended by parish members, only after proper verrfication of the genuineness and their existing financial status. The applications are placed al the commitieelboard of trustees meeting and decisions are made after detailed discussions. The amount of Pa￿nent is decided at the committee meetings. The volunteers sometimes raise funds by accepting small donations or give donations to the church for chanty purposes. They also bring forward charity applications from eligible families they know personally who are facing financial difficulties due to terminal illness and general poverty or childrens, e(Jucational needs. You may choose to include further statements. where relevant, about: policy on grantmaking. policy programme related investment. contribution made by volunteers. Section D Achievements and performance TAR March 2012 Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year The Annual General Body meeting was conducted in the month of May, presided by the VicarlPresident . Fr. Philip Thomas. The meeting had an appraisal of all activities of the church, including the progress of Sunday sch(x)l. youth a&sociation and women's association (Vanitha Samajam). We have successfully welcomed many new families as our members and volunteers during the year 2024-25. The holy communion seniices were nd conducted regularfy on every 2 and 4 Saturday of all the months, currently at St. Nicholas Church Hall. Brook Lane, Bosham-P018 8JZ. Parish Da and remembrance of St. Thomas: Parish Day￿lebrationS were organised on 12 and 13" of July 2024. The holy communion serrfices Y￿re led by invtted priests Fr. Akhil Joy and Fr. Eldhose Venkadath along wtth Vicar Fr. Peter Kuriakose and on Parish Day. The Holy Mass was followed by the holy communion and special devotional message. prayers with In￿nse. procession, benediction & love feasts. The Sunday school, Youth as well as Women's association (Vanith Samajam) annual day celebrations were successfully conducted in the evening of 13 July 2024 at Lavant Memorial Hall, Chichester. Family Camp & Retreat: We have conducted a family camp at Queen Elizabeth County park, Petersfield in Sept.2024 and most the families participated in rt. Many families actively participated in the two days Famity Conferen￿ and retreat conducted under the leadership of MSOC diocese in Sept. 2024 at Leicesler. Christmas P ramrne: During Chrislmas celebrations , Carol visited Parishioners, homes on 7 and 8 December 2024. On 24th evening Christmas Mass and the Hoty Eucharist were conducted by Vicar, Rev. Fr. Philip Thomas. He gave a Christmas message to parishioners folFowed by carol singing competrtions by the Sunday School Students and youth Association members. Sunda school: We conducted Sunday School classes regularly after the Holy Mass. The Sunday school takes initiative to educate children with spiritual guidance and moral aspects of life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the faith & tradrtions of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The students are encouraged to attend church regularly and to study the scriptures. Annual arts and cultural competitions were conducted and prizes were distributed to winners as usual. Youth Association.. The Youth Association members had meetings after every Holy Mass and had good discussions about issues involving moral ethics leading to personal spiritual development which could help them to be good future crtizens. Vanitha Sama am (Women's Association).. The Women's Association is a prayer group of V￿Men and they meet after the Holy Mass. It also has a secretary as a leader. Their activities include prayer, singing devotional songs. Bible readings, conducting Bible quiz, chain prayer. Bible presentattons and messages. We have made a charity donation of total £1000 this year to four people who were financialty poor and sick. TAR March 2012 Section E Financial review Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves The church reserves are held to fund its current and future activrties. We are raising a building fund also in Bank Savings Account with an aim of building or buying an own Church (or for a long temi leasing of a Church or a property which can be used for ChurchAvorship services) Details of any funds materially in deficit There are no funds in deficit Further financial review detslls (Optlonal information) You may choose to include Our principal source of fund is the rnOnth￿ subscription from members additional inforynation. where and voluntary donations and contributions on special occasions like relevant about: Passion Week, Christmas and Parish Day. the charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity. investment policy and objectives including any ethical inveslment policy adopted. The church is run by volunteers who are not entitled to any remuneration, ex￿pt the Vicarfslpriests, alk)wances for pastoral serrfl￿S. The church does not have sufficient funds currentty to invest in long te￿n investments. The available funds are held as cash in mainstream Bank, as Savings Account (Building Fund). We keep this fvnd in savings account with an aim of building or buying a Church of our own or on leasehold basis. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signaturels) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary. Chair. etc) Poly Varghese Joy Palikodath Jacob Secretary Treasurer Dats OT TAR March 2012 SLThomas (Jacobite) Syrian Orthodox Church,Portsmouth,England,UK 1159301 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perfod from To ll)4￿024 3110312025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to th• nèar95t Restricted funds to the naargst £ Endowment funds to th• n•arnst £ Total funds to thè nèar¢st £ Last year to the n•ar•8t £ A1 R￿eipts Subscription Offertory Donations & Contribution5 Holy Mass Donation & Speaal Sacrarnental Donation Fatnsly Camp Donation Building Fund Interest G1ft Ai(S Sub totsl (Gross incom8 forAR) 12.085 3,571 5.721 12.085 3.571 5.721 9,200 3,652 7.691 1.275 1.275 850 655 655 314 550 1,015 4,263 1.440 S,664 •971 30,411 27,535 A2 A88et and Investment Sales. {see table). Sub total 28,971 1,440 30.411 27,535 A3Pa ments Printing, Stationery & Postage VicarfslPnests' Allowances M.S.O C (Diocese) & Rènt Passion Week, Christmas & Parish Day Expensos Professional Expenses, IAccountinglAudil Fee81 Charity Payrnents Famlly Camp & Retreat.Sund8y Sch￿1 & You¢h ASS￿latIOn Foc4J & Refresrnents, TravallirrfJ Exp.& Bank ¢h8ryes Misc. ￿enseS. Riswa, Gifts etc. 116 4,BOO 3.090 4,950 2.840 4.950 3.873 3.873 7.262 400 1078 1078 2,221 1,312 1.312 235 671 17,078 671 17.078 295 18.419 Sub total A4 Asset and inveslment purchases, (see table) Sub total 17.078 17,078 18,419 Not of rece1pts/(paym￿tsj AS Transfers bgtween funds . A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls year end 11.893 20.01)0 14.813 6,706 13.333 9.116 20,000 63,009 84.449 77,822 91,155 68.706 77.822 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 2810612025 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund$ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Categorie$ Details to naarnst £ B1 Cash funds Cash in H*Yl 103 6.603 Bank SavirvJs Ac¢c￿l IBuikliTrJ FuThJl Total cash funds 6,706 Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds to n￿reSt £ Endowment funds to nearest £ Details to Tr￿1••t E B2 Other monetary assets Fund to whlch as••t bolon Curr•nt valu• tlonal Detalls C￿t {optionall Fund to T*hlch a888t Detalls C￿t {opilon41} Currgnt value onal B4 A88ets retalned for the charity'8 own use Detalls Fund to whlch Ilablllty Amount duo When due loptlon•ll Signed by one or Iwo trustees on behalf of all the lJustees Signature Print Nam8 Date of approval Poty Varghese 04-0?- 04_01- 2810612025 Joy Palikodath Jacob CCXX R2 accounts {SS) ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** Charity Name **Report to the trustees/** Charity Name **members of** St.Thomas (Jacobite) Syrian Orthodox Church,Portsmouth,England,UK **On accounts for the year** 31 March 2025 **Charity no** 1159301 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 March 2025. **Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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:**||||**Date:**|29/08/2025
~~fF~~|29/08/2025
~~fF~~| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||| |**Name:**||Seejo Tony||||| |||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |**Relevant professional**|**Relevant professional**|IFA||||| |**qualification(s) or body**|**qualification(s) or body**|||||| |**(if any):**||||||| |||||||| |||||||| |**Address:**||58 Highbury Grove||||| |||||||| |||Portsmouth PO6 2RS||||| 1 **Oct 2018** **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 any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . 2 **Oct 2018** **IER**