2024-09-30-accounts - Watford Woodside Community Church Of The Nazarene

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Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Annual Report of the Board of Trustees

Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Report of the Board of Trustees for the year ended 30[th] September 2024

The Board of Trustees presents its Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30[th] September 2024.

Reference and Administration Information

Charity Name: Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Charity Registration Number: 1159330 Principal Address: The Brow, Watford, WD25 7NY Mailing Address: As Above Website: www.watordnazarene.org.uk Bank: Barclays Bank, Watford Branch Independent Examiner: Ms Gillian Flitt

Board of Trustees:

Rev. Gary Law (Chair) Mr Andrew Tranter (Secretary) Mrs Ann Brookes (Treasurer) Mrs Josephine Appleby Mr Craig Christiansen Mrs Carole Dowty Mrs Moira Murray Mrs Paula Seddon Mr Bruce Brandon

The Chair is ex-officio by virtue of their Office as Pastor of the Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene.

Holding/Custodian Trustee: Church of the Nazarene British Isles South District (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee: Company No. 7028764).

Structure, Governance and Management

Structure and Organisation

The Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was established on the 24[th] November 2014 with the Registration Number 1159330.

Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Annual Report of the Board of Trustees

Trustee Appointments

The Pastor of the Church is ex-officio Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Charity. Their position is reviewed two years from appointment and then every four years thereafter. The remaining Trustees are elected annually by the Members of the Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene at the Annual General Meeting in February each year.

Governance and Wider Network

The Board of Trustees meets regularly, normally on a monthly basis, to consider the work and management of the Church, to assess and plan the Church Finances, and to give consideration for other aspects of the work and direction of the Charity. The Church/CIO is a member of the Church of the Nazarene British Isles South District (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee: Company No. 7028764 – Charity No. 1133336), which in turn is a member of the global Church of the Nazarene which has its Headquarters in Lenexa, USA. The CIO is governed by an approving Governing Document drawn up by Anthony Collins, Charity Solicitors, Birmingham, and approved by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and HMRC. The Governing Document is based on the Manual of the Global Church of the Nazarene where UK Law permits.

Risk Management

The Risk Management of the Church is in a continual process of formulation in response to the changing circumstances that can have an impact upon the work and ministry of the Church. The Board of Trustees, in considering this important task, take direction from on-going discussion with Members both internally and through meetings with the Church of the Nazarene South District and other advisors, adopting appropriate Policies as required or as they become necessary to the ongoing work of the Church.

Charitable Objectives and Activities

The Charity has the following Objectives:

The advancement of the Christian Faith as part of the global Church of the Nazarene and the Church of the Nazarene British Isles South District.
To serve and enhance the Local Community.

Public Benefit

The Board of Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s Guidance on public benefit reporting in deciding what activities the Charity

Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Annual Report of the Board of Trustees

should undertake. This Report illustrates the activities undertaken to support the public benefit requirements.

Review of The Year

As we reflect on this past year, the Board of Trustees want to take a moment to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to look ahead with hope and expectation. It has been a wonderful year, filled with challenges, growth and countless blessings.

This year we have seen God at work in our Congregation through our Worship Services, Prayer Meetings, and various Ministry Programmes. Sunday Services continue to be a time of powerful Worship and Biblical Teaching. We are grateful to all of the Volunteers who serve so faithfully each week. The Welcome Team, the Hospitality Team, the Tech Team, the Creche Team, the Explorers and Youth Bible Class Team, the Praise Band – your work and witness makes Woodside the Christian Community that it is!

Our Midweek Bible Study and Prayer Meeting (Oasis) has continued to provide deep fellowship and spiritual nourishment. We have witnessed personal testimonies of faith, answers to prayer, healing, and transformation, reminding us that God is moving among us.

We remain committed to fulfilling our Charity’s Objectives - sharing the love of Christ and the Christian Faith beyond the walls of the Church. This past year, we held several Outreach Events, particularly among Families within our local Community. These included Community Events such as the Easter Extravaganza, the Light Party, the Community Carol Service in partnership with the YMCA, and a Clothing Swap. Our Pastor has helped support three local Primary School’s throughout the year by speaking at their School Assemblies and conducting Religious Education Classes on different aspects of the Christian Faith. We have also held more regular/consistent Community Events such as our Little Stars Parent and Toddler Group, our Kids Club, our Youth Club, our Knit and Natter Group and a regular Church Service in a local Nursing Home which our Pastor conducts. We commend all those who participated in these efforts, as they truly reflect the heart of Christ.

It has been encouraging to have seen growth within our Church Family. Membership Services, Baptisms, and Child Dedication’s have been a significant highlight this year. New Bible Studies have been formed for both Men and Women giving further opportunity to share the Christian Faith with newcomers

Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Annual Report of the Board of Trustees

and regular attenders alike. While we celebrate this growth, we also acknowledge those who have moved away or gone to be with the Lord. We honour their contributions and continue to pray for their Families.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our Members and Friends for their generosity and support of the Church over this last year. Despite the rising cost of many things, we have been able to sustain our Ministries, Missions and Church Projects. A Financial Report is presented alongside this Report, outlining our Income and Expenses. We have also made progress on developing our Church Facilities. This is a testament to God’s provision and the dedication of our Church Family.

Like many Churches and Charities, we have faced challenges this past year. From navigating life in an ever-changing society and culture to addressing the needs of people around us, it has been a season of learning and trusting in God’s wisdom. However, these challenges have also presented opportunities for growth, unity, and innovation in how we serve our Community. As we look ahead our focus remains on: 1. Strengthening our Discipleship. 2. Expanding our Outreach Efforts both locally and globally. 3. Enhancing our Youth and Children’s Ministry. 4. Deepening our Prayer Life as a Church. 5. Continuing to foster a Community of love, unity and service.

Staff

On the 30[th] September 2024 Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene had two Employees. Rev. Gary Law has continued to serve as the Full Time Pastor of the Church since September 2023. In March 2024, the Church also employed Miss Carolyn Grange as a Part Time Cleaner (8 Hours Per Week).

Aims:

Continuation of weekly Christian Services promoting the Christian Faith in
accordance with the principles of the Church of the Nazarene.
Work with Children and Young People to promote the Christian Faith and provide local social benefit.
Continuation of Weekly Meetings for more mature individuals within the local Community.
Continue to develop links with the local Community – involvement of the Church with relevant local Agencies on behalf of the local Community.
Continue to partner with and make the Church Building available to relevant local Agencies seeking to benefit the local Community.

Watford Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene Annual Report of the Board of Trustees

Significant Activities During The Period Covered:

Weekly Services conducted by our Pastor and other Guest Speakers (In Person and Live Streamed on YouTube).
Meetings/Events held for Children and Young People for interaction in a safe environment, to enable them to grow and develop both spiritually and socially as individuals.
Weekly Meetings for Prayer and Spiritual Development (In Person and Online via Zoom).
Partnering with local Community Programmes (Clothing Swap and Watford Foodbank).
Involvement with three local Schools where our Pastor speaks at their School Assemblies and conducts Religious Education Classes on different aspects of the Christian Faith. The Church Building has also been used for significant Celebrations within the local Schools such as Christmas Carol Services and Easter Services.
Visitation and Pastoral Care for both Members and those people within the local Community who request such help and support in times of need.
The Church has been available and conduced Weddings, Funerals, and other Services of significance.

Achievements During The Period Covered:

Continued support of the Church Membership in their spiritual and personal development.
Continued development of the social and educational opportunities with the local Community through the varied Programmes and Events which take place in our Building.
Continued to be proactive in promoting and advancing the Christian Faith beyond the walls of the Church.

Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Wattord Woodside Communty Church ofthe Nazarene On accounts for the year ended 30th September 2024 Charity no (If any) 1159330 Set out on pages IT?m&rnbèr to Includ& O¥ge iumbp.r n+ It1on>l qhgto'. I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended30 6q la I As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {°the Acf). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5}{b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement un oss eex iste ome nation eded qualifi emb plica of [1 na lete [ I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") 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 conceming 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 fail 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. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Dats: 2S Name: &6LL(IhJ FL i ff r Relevant professlonal qualificatlon(s) or body None IER Oct 2018

(if any): Address: 3q FidcH LA Trf E 23 3AJ Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief detsils of any ttsms that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018

Charity Name WATFORD WOODSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Charity Registration Number 1159330 Receipts and payments accounts For the period from 1.10.23 To 30.9.24 RECEIPTS UNRESTRicfED FUNDSTO THE NEAREST £ 68,944 RESTRicfED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS LAST YEAR 2022-2023 Tithes and offerings Gift aid Lettings Fellowship Weekend Other offerings Utility credits Donation for church maintenance Transfer from business Acc Donations for youth and children 68,944 47,930 21,224 1,530 4.333 21,224 1,530 4,333 11,403 12,625 6,975 10,885 10,885 4,890 671 26,000 671 26,000 1,922 1,100 13,184 13,184 5,012 Love Gift Legacy Gifts TOTAL 1,611 53,769 202,152 1,611 53,769 100,871 7,514 1,500 100,871

PAYMENTS UNRESTRICTED FUNDS TO THE NEAREST £ 34,157 126 9,334 2,142 1,258 21,582 3,908 339 RESTRIED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS LAST YEAR 2023-2024 Staff Salaries Admin fee District budgets Office Pastors travel expenses Buildings/maintenance Manse expenses Conference & District assembly Church activities and departments Gifts/donations Online services Interim pastor costs Lettings Visiting speakers Hospitality Fellowship weekend CCLI Safety equipment Utilities Breakthru holidays Training Transfer to Business account Membership dbs Building insurance Misc TOTALS 34,157 126 9,334 2,142 1,258 21,582 3,908 339 15,442 70 8,669 1,900 2,647 1,054 5.939 5,939 5,691 8,199 479 8,199 479 12,944 458 13,368 3,968 259 808 8,144 1,733 1,009 9,975 293 88 94.129 259 808 8,144 1,733 1,009 9,975 293 88 94,129 237 7.903 805 13,730 280 660 3,386 47 207,994 660 3,386 47 207,994 3,082 92,248 Assets and Liabilities Cash funds held at 30.9.23: £135.198 Buildings and Land

The assets of the charity are as follows: The property situated at The Brow, Watford, WD25 7NY. The legal title is held by the Incorporated Trust Corporation, Church of the Nazarene British Isles South District, Company Registered Number: 07028764, on behalf of the local Trustees. This is the church building and has an insured value of £1,813.769. The property site at 33 Hunters Lane, Warford; the legal title is held by the Incorporated Trust Corporation, Church of the Nazarene British Isle5 South District, Company Registered Number: 07028764, on behalf of the local Trustees. This is the church house (the manse) and has an insured value of £367,158 (building only). A full schedule of assets within the above properties, which includes white goods and equipment used in support of the activities of the church, is available on request. Investment assets: None Liabilities: None Trustee expenses Rev Gary Law received £35,415 in Salary, Expenses, Pension and Nl contributions No other trustee received any remuneration or expenses in this year or the previous year. No f inancial donations, other than personal tithes and offerings, were made by any trustee. Related Party Transactions There were no related Party Transactions during this year or the previous year. Plans for Future Periods The Board of trustees meets on a monthly basis to plan and look to the future of the charity. We appointed our new pastor, the Rev Gary Law in September 2023 and he is now in full time ministry with us. Under his leadership we have been developing our ministries among the community. This has led to some refurbishment projects in our church building including the hall and the toilets. We have organised a church weekend away and begun new ministries for children and teenagers. Money has also been spent on improving and repairing the church manse to make it ready for the pastoral family to move into. We were thankful to receive a substantial legacy which has helped to finance these improvements and the remainder is now in a deposit account.

We will be continuing developing our vision for the church under Pastor Garys, leadership and look forward to developing ministries that will reach into and effect our local community. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.