Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022
Aims and purposes
The aim of the church (as set out in its Constitution) is to bring glory to God and advance the Christian faith by strengthening the personal faith and witness of its members and by communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to other people in the locality and beyond.
In fulfilling this aim the Church, in prayerful submission to the authority of Scripture, endeavours to:
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pursue the worship of God, centred on the preaching and teaching of the Bible;
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cultivate a caring fellowship that encourages and builds up its members;
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share the good news of Jesus through local outreach and by supporting missionary work further afield; and
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demonstrate the love of God by meeting needs in the local community.
Objectives and activities
The trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The church is committed to encouraging and enabling as many people as possible to worship with us and become part of the church family in order to grow in the Christian faith. The church is also committed to providing pastoral care and support for its members and others with whom it has connections. In addition the church seeks to undertake appropriate mission and outreach work in its locality and to support through prayer and finance mission and outreach work in other parts of the world.
The church operates from a building in Newhall Street, Princes End, Tipton. In order to facilitate the work of the church through its various activities, to create a welcoming environment and to honour God, the church seeks to maintain the fabric of the building to an appropriate standard.
Achievements and performance
Worship, Bible study and Prayer
Following two years of Covid disruption it was good that we were able to meet face to face for the whole of 2022. Sunday morning services followed teaching series on the books of Mark, 1 Timothy and Psalms with separate short series around Easter and Christmas. Numbers remained relatively strong at this service and we were pleased to welcome many visitors, some for whom we have provided a place of sanctuary for a short period of time and others who have chosen to settle with us and have become regular attenders. During the year we also launched a monthly evening service and a prayer meeting on Zoom on two other Sunday evenings per month. Sunday morning services continued to be live streamed allowing access to services for those who are housebound, those who are unable to attend on a particular Sunday for whatever reason and those who might find the church via the internet.
We returned to a monthly prayer day with morning and lunch time prayer sessions on Zoom and en evening session both in person and on Zoom. Generally speaking this worked well and provided an increased opportunity for participation.
Midweek meetings (Grace Groups) also continued across the year. Through to the Summer these continued to be held via Zoom but from September we moved to a situation where some groups continued to meet via Zoom whilst others met in homes of members. Again this allows greater choice and flexibility according to personal circumstances and this has worked well with good numbers participating in both formats.
During 2022 one member died, two members resigned (one of whom transferred to other churches), two members were transferred to the Honorary Members list and four new members joined the church. At the end of 2022 membership stood at 49.
The church continued to employ a full-time Staff Elder who worked alongside the other Elders in leading and developing the work of the church. In addition the church employed a new part-time church worker whose role is focussed on ministry to the elderly, discipling women in the church and building contacts with families connected to the church.
Church building
Structural problems with the front wall of the church meant that major works had to be undertaken in taking down and re-building the upper half of the wall at a cost of around £30,000. Work was also undertaken to install sound-proofing in the the roof space between the two main rooms at a cost of around £5,000. Other minor repairs and maintenance were undertaken across the year as required .
Children and Youth work
The church Boys’ Brigade company with Girls’ Association (3[rd] West Bromwich) was also pleased to be free from Covid disruption and met in person through the whole of 2022. Numbers remained strong with about 40 children and young people in the age range 5-18 years taking part in weekly activities.
Stay and Play
Our stay and play group for pre-school children and their carers also functioned as normal across the whole year during term time with a good number of children taking part each week.
Older people
A new ministry for retired people, Daybreak, was launched in Spring 2022. Meeting twice each month the group aims to provide fellowship, support and spiritual input for older people. The group has needed in well with between 15 and 25 people attending sessions across the year.
Community involvement
During the year we were invited by a local care home, Bloomfield Court, to provide a short service once a month for their residents. A small team was formed to deliver this ministry and services were provided in the latter part of the year. Following a review with the home it was agreed to continue these services into 2023.
We were also able to re-introduce Christmas carol singing at our local Asda store giving out invitations to our Christmas services.
Financial Review
Total income for the year amounted to £72,904. Expenditure totalled £108,228 giving a deficit for the year of £35,324 which was met from reserves. The deficit related entirely to the costs of building work outlined above.
Offerings amounted to £50,823 compared to £50,890 in 2021. The Gift Aid tax reclaim was £9,407, an increase of around £600 over the previous year.
Reserves Policy
The Elders seek to maintain reserves in the order of one year’s expenditure to allow for the loss of offertory income for whatever reason, to provide for major repair or maintenance costs and to ensure sufficient funds to maintain and potentially expand pastoral ministry. At 31 December 2021 unrestricted reserves stood at £84,000.
Volunteers
The church expresses its thanks to the many volunteers who assist with all aspects of the church’s work and without whom many church activities simply would not take place.
Structure, governance and management
The church is a charitable incorporated organisation (registered charity number 1162960) governed by a Constitution registered with the Charity Commission on 3 August 2015 as amended in 2021
Church members elect Elders who are responsible for the day to day management of the church and as such are charity trustees. Responsibility for certain key decisions such as calling a pastor or approving major work on the church building rests with the whole church membership in general meeting. The Elders who served during the year were:-
Mr T Ambrose Mr G Coghlan (resigned February 2022) Mr P Watts (Secretary) Mr B Turner Mr D Hardway (appointed February 2022)
Administrative information
The church is situated at Newhall Street, Princes End, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 9HL.
The correspondence address is 3 Waring Close, Princes End, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 9NW.
P WATTS Secretary
CHARITY (OMMisSIoN Annual Accounts for the peiiod Peilod sl311 dète Yo Perlod end dale ]FJ chailiy Name QACE (Okl&lilN I I aH)Qctl Cha(ityNo (Ilany) tffjtnLE] section A Slalement of finarlcial activities D•st¥lptlon5 by naturol rategory Unieitrtded fuftds Re5tficted Income funds Eodowmenl lunds lot•1 thls y¢or Tolal last yeai Incomlng resources (Nole 3) FOI F02 F03 FO F05 fri 7* ÉST 83 15 Totolincomlngtssour(e$ 501 Resour(es expended (Noles 4-7 17 S¥4 Js 76 &3 Totolresovites expended s02 N•t In(omln9/(ovlgoir•9) 1•sources bef ie ers S03 Gross fmnslefs beiwÈeo fvnds $04 Netlncomin 50vices el(J other recognlsed gains/<losse5j fjain$ and losses i val atlon ol Ilied a55ets Galns and losses on Inve5tmenl se1S str? Nttmovemenlln so• Total fuftds broughl forward Totol Ivndscorrledlwword $10 k)f 3)3 lo errncogn 505 "509 738 174C C(39(•) M•i¢h 2012
Section B
Balance sheet
Total
thls year
Total
lèst year
Flxed assets
Tangible o55ets
FOI
F02
(Note 8)
B01
131, 4£>
Inve51menis
(Nole 9) B03
Totoi fixedossets Boi
Cufrent assets
stock and work In Piogfess
Dtbtors
Grace Community Church Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2022 INCOME Actual £ Sudget £ Notes Offerings 50,823 52, 000 Gift Aid Refund 9,276 9,500 Donations 947 3,000 Other Income 7,932 3, 000 TOTAL INCOME 68,978 65,500 EXPENDITURE Pastor's Costs Part Time Workers Costs Expenses Evangelism Gifts--Overseas Gifts-__UK Gifts--Olhers Administration Buildings Misc.. 33,585 5,805 1,064 1.210 3,000 3,500 4,943 827 46,604 1,298 487 33. 750 10,000 1,500 2, 500 3,000 3,500 10 11 12 1,250 36, 000 7,750 1,000 13 14 Sunday Ministry TOTAL EXPENDITURE 102.123 94,250 Overspend 33,145 28, 750
Grace Community Church Notes on the accounts for the yèar ènded 31st Dècambèr 2022 1 Offerings These were boosted by a one off gift of £1 k 2 GSft Aid As expected 3 Donatlons Mainly for books 4 Other Income Photocopying Other Income 226.25 Interest 2,289.54 1,689.57 (mainly Fr¢d8y C lub transfer 522 BCM various 1,232 1.146 Lydia ' 339 147.77 further gift lo be sent-_later gifts Glfts Barnabas Ukraine CAP-.-ASDA 5 Pastors costs Gross salary Pension Life Assurance 31.890 1.595 100 Total 33,585 5 prr Worker The eldeTS Put in an estimate not knowing the rate of pay or definite lime of starting. Hence big discrepency. 6 Expenses 36 rim includes Mileage PhonelBB 391 299 Books 95 Admin 92 DBS 55 7 Evangelism General Daybreak 767 Ladies Craft 324 Youth 91 27 8 Glfts Robinsons 700 Mission lo Jews 800 New Life 500 Niclasens 500 Overseas Rees Family Barnabas 250 250 9 Gifts UK Smethwi¢k CC 500 FIEC 700 Daylight CPT 200 Speak Life 1.000 soo BCM Midland GP 100
0110212023, 12..05 Untiiiod 5preadsheel- Google Sheel$ CAP UK 500 10 Glfts BCM Ukraine Tipton Food 1.605 Barnabas 1.387 Lydia 340 CAP ASDA 1,216 246 oth9rs 147.77 11 Admln Includes Copier Lgase Photo paper 436 Direcl Coplers 54 156 12 Bulldlngs Church Insuranco Pjlanse 1,049 Insurance 2,609 Bathroom 1,772 Rooflchimney 30.931 1,248 301 5,408 3,285 Audiolvisual 8uilding General Gen upkeep 13 MISC. Includes Kitchen Paper Towels Ceillng Tiles BookslGGs Incomparabl8 etc 76 Paper Cups 148 Auditor 79 Thirty one Eight 457.44 163 100 129 14 Sunday Mln Pulpil and Expanses 450 15 Overspend Given the unexpected work on the manse {¢himney-ridge tiles bathroom) plus the extra work on the chutt dividing wall the final overspend was higher than the Budgeted figure. However it was not as great as it might have been because of the savin9s elsewhere particularly in relation lo the part time workers costs.
Grace Community Church Balance Sheet as al 31st December 2022 2021 2022 Flxed Assets 40,000 Land and Buildings al Newhall Streetl 40,000 97,461 Investmenl at 8 Prospect Street 97,461 137.461 TOTALS 137,461 Current Assets and Llabilities 16.474 Barclays 88nk Current Account 7.826 29.936 COIF Emergency Fund 1.826 82,426 COIF General Fund 74,626 6,585 Debtors 2.326 135,421 TOTALS 86,604 1.517 Creditors 2,696 271.365 TOTALS 221,369
The Boys, Brigade 3rd West Bromwich Company Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 st December 2022 RECEIPTS Subscriptions Uniform Grants/donations Special events 1475.60 425.00 656.51 {11 1056.50 12) 3613.61 PAYMENTS Uniform FeeslDonations Equipment Special events 399.00 1358.06 13) 130.61 (41 1726.43 {51 3614.10 Deficit 0.49 Balance brought forward 1.1.22 Less 2022 deficit Balance carried forward 31.12.22 1837.99 0.49 1837.50 Closing balance represented by.. Bank Cash 1813.24 24.26 1837.50
GRANTSIDONATIONS Tesco HMRC tax refund M Foxall 500.00 131.51 25.00 656.51 SPECIAL EVENTS Sale of table-tennis table Weekend away payments Swimming outing Ten pin bowling trips Laser quegt 235.50 555.00 76.00 110.00 80.00 1056.50 FEESIDONATIONS Capitation fees Competition entry fees Postage5 (Uniforml Hire of SportgAcademy 1207.50 54.50 39.26 56.80 1358.06 EQUIPMENT Craft malerials Castors Table tennis balls Miscellaneous 81.75 35.88 4.98 130.61 5. SPECIAL EVENTS Badge51Certs/Shields for Awards Evenin9 Rifle shooting subsidy Lasef quest Minigolf subsidy Swimming outing Weekend awby Ten pin bowling Poppy wreath Christmas presents and Parties 221.20 20.00 197.10 30.00 76.80 805.80 141.90 23.99 209.64 1726.43
Gracè Community chUrChrIdaY Club Actlvlty Recelpts and Payments for the Flnal Year Ended 31st December 2022 RECEIPTS Refund on Bank Charges Gift into Building Society Interest Building Society Cash Gift from V Jeavons 10.8 1.59 300 £313.59 PAYMENTS Bank Charges J Bird Gift Transfer to Grace Community Church fro ASDA Gifts Transfer to Grace CC from Building Societ Meal at Essington Fnjit Farm Transfer to Grace CC from Petty Cash 25.8 300 173.58 61.25 1,514.28 213.49 203.26 £2,491.66 Net Overspend £2,178.27 Openlng Balance ' 1 January 2022 Bank Account Building Society Petty Cash 493.58 1,511.69 173 £2,178.27 Balance aftor deduction of Overspend £0.00 Ilp$'.lrtlo¢s.goo91&.cor$pT88d8hE8ts1d11gXOVHs8FTAZoDyQca 9doYgr2SxiUylXoM6XEmgXlQl&dSi#gldEO
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner'5 Report Report to the trustee members of Gt2nCE ConruNI7Y CHuria4 91 DLcÈMEL--E 202 On accounts for the year endod Charlty no (If any) 1162960 Set out on pages f4S A TTt4Ckt&_ I report to the trust8es on my examination of the accounts of the above harity {"the Trust") for the year ended ? I i a Jo JU. Responslbilities and As the charity trust8ès of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of roport of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitias Act 2011 ("Ih6 Act.). I report in respect of my examlnatlon of thé Trust's accounts carrièd out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directlons glven by the Charlty Commission under sectlon 14515)(bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention ( in connection with th8 examinallon which gives me cause lo believe that In, any material respect.. accounllng rocords were not kept In accordance wlth section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examlner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other mallers in connection with th8 examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words In the brackgts if thgy do not apply. Slgnèd: Date: )910 J? Name: DRVTf) TLJRUL n Relevant professlonal qualification{s) or body (If any): Address: 10 LJTrY TTP7ov, r rnTDLN9£ Oyty CLIL IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complet6 if the examlner needs lo highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charlty accounts.. directions arKI guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any Itgms that Ihe examiner wlshes to disclose. IER October 2018