**Charity Number: 1163017**
# **JOURNEY COMMUNITIES (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)**
## **UNAUDITED**
**T RUSTEES’ REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Details|2|
|Trustees’Report|3–9|
|IndependentExaminer’sReport|10|
|Receipts and Payments|11|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|12|
|Notes to the Accounts|13|
1
**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
**The Trustees** Jeffrey Lothamer Chairman Peter Stoddart Helen Loo Jazz Shaban Luke Hatcher
**Principal Address** 2 West Circular Road Ambrosden Bicester Oxfordshire OX25 2BB
**Registered Charity Number** 1163017
**Independent Examiners** Morgan Accountancy Solutions Suite 16 Enterprise House Bicester Business Centre Telford Road Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 4LD
2
**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for year ended 31 August 2023.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **History**
Journey Communities, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, was incorporated on 5 August 2015 (charity number 1163017). On 5 August 2015, it achieved charitable status and was entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1163017.
Prior to this, Journey Communities had been meeting as a church formerly known as The Crowded House Bicester informally beginning in Spring 2011. In the Autumn of 2014, under the guidance of minister Steven Caton on behalf of the church staff, 7 members of the church met regularly to arrive at a name for the church which communicated its identity. In the winter of 2014/2015, the approved name of the church formally became Journey Communities.
In the Autumn of 2015 Journey Communities staff and elders at the time elected to join the Fellowship of the Churches in Great Britain and Scotland (simply known as FCC). FCC provides consultation, support, encouragement and is ready to assist the church should it need and ask for it. Steven Caton was ordained as a minister in the FCC October of 2016.
In the Spring of 2017 Journey Communities started FLTR Coffee Ltd., a community café in the Langford Village neighbourhood of Bicester, to promote and fulfil such other charitable purposes beneficial to the community in Bicester.
In the Autumn of 2021 Journey Communities was continuing to grow and in order to better achieve the charity objectives the church organised into two communities meeting in different neighbourhoods in Bicester. We called these communities microchurches. The Microchurch Network was established under the charity as an arm to serve these microchurches, and others, and to help them achieve the charity objectives. These two microchurches are technically one church under the name Journey Communities and seek to achieve the charity objectives in their respective communities.
In January of 2023 a 3rd microchurch was planted in the Kingsmere estate in Bicester. The Kingsmere Community seeks to achieve the charity objectives in their respective community and lead and organise a basketball club that meets at a local school.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
Upon pursuit of charity registration new trustees were (and are) selected on the basis of their experience and skills, normally from amongst the members of Journey Communities, Bicester, but also from those with skills, familiarity and goodwill towards the church who are outside the church congregation. It is seen to be desirable that the Core Leadership team (Staff) of the church should be represented on the Trustee Board and Jeff Lothamer has fulfilled this dual role during the current year.
The Core Leaders and the Trustees aim to meet together on a regular basis to ensure effective governance of the church and discuss issues of mutual concern or decision.
The practice that is employed in appointing new Trustees is that potential new Trustees are identified and approached following discussion at a Trustees’ meeting; then, and in consultation with the Core Leaders, they are offered the opportunity to meet the existing Trustees with a view to possible Trusteeship. The Trustees regularly consider the composition of the Trustee Board in order to ensure that the Board has access to the right balance, diversity and spread of expertise needed to govern the affairs of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation. New Trustees are appointed formally by the current Trustee Board of the church.
3
**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **Organisation of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation**
The Trustees meet three times per year to administer the affairs of the CIO and there are no sub-groups acting for them. During the year, two of the Trustees benefited financially from the operations of the CIO and clear expectations of how they participate concerning financial decisions is outlined in our Governance Policy; services provided by Trustees and other related party activities are outlined in the Governance Policy as well.
During the year five staff members were employed by Journey Communities (two full-time and three part-time). The staff leadership of the church operates pertaining to areas of expertise, ie, worship leading, congregational teaching, financial and organisational leadership, leadership development, community ministry, youth and children’s programs. Four of the five staff members’ salaries are funded from various partners in the United States. These staff are Jeff and Christie Lothamer and Steve and Sarah Caton. As a result, activity, time, and travel to maintain these partnerships is required by these staff members. These staff members are members of Greater Europe Mission of which Journey Communities has a grant agreement and partnership.
Qualification for membership of the church is currently expressed by virtue of Christian commitment, commitment to the Church and through the desire to be formally recognised as a member of Journey Communities. Decisions about the overall direction of the Church and for its care are made by the Core Leadership, with input as necessary from other persons or groups. Key issues are discussed widely within the church.
The church community gathers regularly for worship, community, mission, and discipleship. Each leader is trained to lead a group of people practically in life. Their training is a hybrid of theological, social and practical strategies to make individuals and families strong. Each leader and potential leaders are encouraged, equipped, and resourced through their participation in the Leadership Collective, a community of leaders that meet every month. The Leadership Collective is led by two of our staff members.
## **Objects, Mission and Aims**
The objects of Journey Communities are:
To advance the Christian faith in Bicester and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world for the benefit of the public in particular, but not exclusively through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals producing and/or distributing literature on the Christian faith to enlighten others about the Christian religion.
To Promote and fulfil such other charitable purposes beneficial to the community in Bicester and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
The Trustees confirm that in setting their objectives they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have a due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **Activities, Achievements, Development**
## **ACTIVITIES**
## **FLTR Community Microchurch**
The FLTR Community continues to be a life-giving presence by connecting with neighbours through our coffee shop, FLTR Coffee. A retreat was held to strengthen the staff and the Jesus culture within the shop. They also have a new group who are meeting to focus on the workplace as a mission, and laying the prayer foundation for a new microchurch in Brill.
A mental health listening group was offered to our social network and FLTR customers in collaboration with Kintsugi Hope.
Regular rhythms of craft and game nights at the café.
## **Graven Hill Microchurch**
The GHMC (Graven Hill Ministry Community) planned regular social and serving opportunity on the estate such as BBQs, Christmas get-togethers, Litter Picking and other similar activities.
The GHMC is experiencing a period of gradual expansion, with its capacity to serve growing, and relationships within the community maturing. Two new individuals within the neighbourhood are drawing closer to the group and will soon join the bi-weekly rhyth m of “Listen & Dialog,” and “Pray, Listen, Scripture”.
The children's club, a key part of the GHMC's ministry, resumed for the Autumn term. Despite the children now spanning both primary and secondary school, the club has remained a space for discussing mature concepts about God, the Bible, and Jesus. This has presented a minor challenge but also opened the door to engaging the children in more conceptually advanced discussions.
## **Kingsmere Microchurch**
Jeff and Christie began meeting regularly in the autumn to lay the prayer foundation as they looked to gather a small team to begin the rhythms of church together.
The Kingsmere microchurch started gathering some people for Sunday brunch in January. This was our formal rhythm for our church to begin gathering. At this Sunday brunch we used the time to worship, read and study the Bible, pray, and remember Jesus by taking communion together. We also began gathering in DNA's (3s meeting together for discipleship) during the week.
The Kingsmere microchurch continued leading a basketball club on Tuesday nights at our local school. We formally named the club the Bicester Badgers. Besides training and playing together on a Tuesday night we ran a couple 3v3 tournaments where we invited all the players families to come and watch and had a half-time talk on something related to our mission. We also were invited by a local prison to come and play some of the inmates as a way to encourage them.
## **The Leadership Collective**
The Leadership Collective gathered for a Spiritual 24 hour retreat in May and monthly for support, encouragement, prayer and equipping.
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **Other activities offered by Journey and the Microchurch Network**
Monthly equipping gatherings were organised for the Journey microchurches, with Highway church as guests. A joint Easter service was held with Highway Church.
A Group from Journey attended Big Church day out.
Youth were invited to attend a week long Evangelism training/activity week in London offered through The Message Trust. We had two teens go to that week along a leader.
A teenage girl’s DNA and Weekly Youth Group.
A worship team led a Worship Gathering in November.
A weekly Prayer guide and live prayer time was started.
## **US Partnerships**
Lothamers Travel to USA for continued supporter development.
Steve Caton continues a far reach for our church through GEM, leading Spiritual Retreats for missionaries.
Sarah Caton has honed her leadership skills as an Area Leader for GEM leading several area missionaries in personal development.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS**
## **FLTR Community Microchurch**
2 new missions bubbling up: Workplace and Brill.
Successful delivery of Kintsugi Hope Mental Health Group: We were able to heighten people's awareness of different mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression, anger, perfectionism), provide some tools for individuals to cope with their own mental health as well as care for others.
## **Graven Hill Microchurch**
Through above activities and initiatives, the GHMC community is not only growing in numbers but also in relational strength. God has used circumstances and new people to create opportunities for deepening relationships within the community. This is seen as key to continuing as a vibrant and supportive community on the Graven Hill estate.
## **Kingsmere Microchurch**
3V3 Tournaments with gospel presentation. The Kingsmere microchurch has grown to 4 families. We also studied together the first half of the book of Revelation in the Bible and sought to apply it to our lives.
In July, we were able to hold a Baptism service for Ella Cody as well as a dedication of Ella’s daughter Ava to the Lord. We had many unbelieving family and friends attend the baptism and heard
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
Ella’s testimony of faith in Christ as well as an explanation of what it means to follow Jesus and be baptised.
We had a lady visit our brunch who wanted to accept Jesus into her life. Kaci, who had just come off her Evangelism equipping week was able to lead her in a prayer of salvation.
## **The Leadership Collective**
Those who are in a covenant relationship within TLC have grown in their relationship through our retreat times and monthly meetings. There is a real spirit of support and love for each other as we seek to follow Jesus on mission in our callings.
Introduced started a new format that I believe will prove to allow the leadership to own their shared gravitas in the room to care for, pray for, and support one another in our mc and missional activities. Service Platform are on rota to host the time and each mc/mission leader will have a chance to get individualised encouragement.
A New Framework for TLC began, which makes organising each week simple and allows for the sharing of leadership.
## **The Microchurch Network**
The Microchurch Network continues to work in an overlapping function with the Journey Service Platform Staff. We continue to interpret what it looks like to be a collective of churches sharing resources but functioning autonomously in one area. Great learning has taken place around collaboration, charity function, systems to work in teams, assessing the needs of an area, and supporting with equipping and prayer.
## **DEVELOPMENTS**
## **Graven Hill Microchurch**
The community has also been actively supporting a member of their community during his hospitalisation. Direct ministry time was dedicated to him, and the community's network was engaged to assist his wife in managing their home during this difficult time. This situation has emphasised the importance of community support. Sadly, he passed away in January. Many people within our community and those in the wider Journey communities helped his wife plan and help with his funeral. It was a wonderful remembrance of our friend.
During this period, one of our newest members drew closer to us in our microchurch. After attending a baptism class offered by Christie Lothamer, she expressed an interest in being baptised. We were obviously very excited about this. She wanted to testify to her new life in Jesus to the community of Graven Hill and so wanted to be baptised in her back garden. After we picked out a date and made plans, our microchurch, along with the help of Christie and Jeff, her father and Simon, was baptised on the 9th of July. It was major highlight of our eventful year.
## **Kingsmere Microchurch**
The Bicester Badgers (Kingsmere microchurch mission) formally established its mission as a basketball club to be "Healthy bodies, Healthy minds, Healthy spirits." We are beginning to be more strategic about how we implement our mission. Besides creating and sustaining a healthy basketball culture that is inclusive and encouraging for all participants, we also are sharing talks on various
7
**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
topics at 3v3 tournaments, serving inmates at the local prison, and having intentional conversations around this mission at local pubs.
## **Leadership and Team development**
Governance for the Journey Communities Churches are governed by the Leaders of the churches, accountable to The Leadership Collective and, ultimately, the trustees.
Leadership Collective is a group of leaders in Micro-churches and micro-missions that meet monthly for the purpose of encouragement, development, and mutual accountability.
The Service Platform is governed by the Co-Directors for strategic leadership and functions with a peerled team ethos. There is still quite a gap in organisation effectiveness due to insufficient man-power - this related to underdeveloped funding model.
## **Financial Performance**
Funds held by the charity are:
- Unrestricted general funds - that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.
- Restricted funds - that can only be used for restricted purposes within the objects of the charity; restrictions arise when donations or grants are received for particular restricted purposes.
## **Financial Activities**
The Trustees are grateful to the members and regular donors within the church for the (often) sacrificial way in which they contribute to meet the financial needs of the church. Many of the donors are family or young people, so limited in their ability to give. The gifts given for unrestricted general funds were similar to the previous fiscal year and met the needs of the budget and community projects. However, the trustees continue to dream about greater impact in our community. Therefore, the Trustees are committed to encouraging a continued commitment to increase giving so that the church can develop its local community work in the future and also its financial support to Christian workers and organisations in the UK and abroad alongside its other activities. We are convinced that we will have the sufficient resources through the faithful giving of our members to continue to meet our objectives.
We continued our relationship with Greater Europe Mission (North American) who provides substantial funding which allows us to employ pastoral staff.
## **Reserves**
The Trustees believe that the Charity should hold financial reserves equivalent to 3 months operating costs (exc missionary staff costs) which equates to £6,500. Our missionary staff will have their own reserve funds, either with Journey Communities or Greater Europe Mission, our partner organisation in the US. At the end of our fiscal year, 31st August 2023, the charity had total funds of £41,500. The trustees acknowledge that the amount of reserves held at the end of the year are above that of the policy amount but intend to invest further in one of the new charity initiatives, the Microchurch Network UK, to bring reserves back down to the policy level. The trustees are employing an administrator for this project.
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **General Conclusion**
The Trustees look forward to the future with confidence and continue to see much need for the Church's charitable activities in seeking to fulfil its aims, mission and objects. We will remain committed to our social and spiritual investment in young people and families in our community. The Trustees consider that the Charity is on a proper footing both organisationally and financially. They welcome any enquiries in respect of clarification of the Charity's work or its future plans or financial and organisational arrangements.
Enquiries should be directed to the Chairman - Mr Jeff Lothamer, c/o the registered office.
2 West Circular Road Ambrosden Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 2BB
27/06/2024
Signed by order of the Trustees on …………………………
Jeff Lothamer Chairman of Trustees
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **I NDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPOR T FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Journey Communities**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Journey Communities (the charity) for the year ended 31[st] August 2023.
## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report**
As the charity trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the A ct”) .
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Marie Morgan FCCA
Morgan Accountancy Solutions Suite 16 Enterprise House Bicester Business Centre Telford Road Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 4LD
Date: 27/06/2024
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS**
|**RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS**||
|---|---|
|**RECEIPTS**
Donations and gifts
Grants
Greater Europe Mission (North
American)
FLTR
Microchurch network donations
Interest
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
**Direct costs**
Church resources
Leadership development
Personal development training
Travel and entertainment
Equipment
Denominations/networks
Marketing/communication
Gathering/events
GC Support/mission
Mircochurch Network Building and
Development
Payroll services
Salaries and staff costs
Youth activities
Benevolent giving
FLTR Generosity Investment
Fleetwood grant
**Support costs**
Office costs
DBS
Website and technology
Depreciation
Insurance
**Governance Costs**
Independent examiners fee
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**Net of receipts/(payments)**
**CASH FUNDS LAST YEAR END**
**CASH FUNDS THIS YEAR END**|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
Total
Funds
2022
£
**25,017**
**-**
**25,017**
22,065
**2,882**
**-**
**2,882**
58
**138,139**
**-**
**138,139**
128,130
**838**
**240**
**-**
**-**
**838**
**240**
7,422
-
**70**
**-**
**70**
-|
||**167,186**
**-**
**167,186**
157,675|
||**318**
**255**
**500**
**418**
**385**
**1,841**
**13**
**1,019**
**1,528**
**4,250**
**120**
**154,555**
**538**
**500**
**2,357**
**628**
**-**
**-**
**301**
**1,693**
**-**
**407**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**318**
**255**
**500**
**418**
**385**
**1,841**
**13**
**1,019**
**1,528**
**4,250**
**120**
**154,555**
**538**
**500**
**2,357**
**628**
**-**
**-**
**301**
**1,693**
**-**
**407**
665
770
485
-
-
1,794
-
1,136
908
-
90
126,619
3,853
60
5,853
-
-
2,481
-
1,923
521
368
**2,101**
**-**
**2,101**
2,560|
||**173,727**
**-**
**173,727**
150,086|
||**(6,541)**
**-**
**(6,541)**
7,589
**47,963**
**41,422**
**78**
**78**
**48,041**
**41,500**
40,452
48,041|
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
|**CASH FUNDS**
Journey Communities Current Ac
Journey Communities Savings Ac
**TOTAL CASH FUNDS**
**INVESTMENT ASSETS**
FLTR Share Capital
**ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE**
**CHARITIES OWN USE**
Equipment|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
11,392
78
30,030
**-**|
|---|---|
||**41,422**
**78**|
||**26,682**
**-**
**1,279**
**-**|
27/06/2024
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on ………………………….. o n their behalf by:
Jeff Lothamer Chairman of Trustees
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**JOURNEY COMMUNITIES**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **RESTRUCTED FUNDS**
|**TRUCTED FUNDS**|||
|---|---|---|
|There has been no movement in restricted funds during the year:
Hardship Fund|**2023**
**£**
**78**
**78**|**2022**
**£**
78|
|||78|
Hardship Fund represents monies donated towards neighbourhood aid for those at risk and in need during COVID-19 lockdown.
## **INVESTMENTS**
During the 2017 accounting period the Charity set up a wholly owned trading subsidiary, FLTR Coffee Ltd, in which it owns 100% of the £26,682 issued share capital.
## **RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
## **Transactions with Trustees**
Jeff Lothamer, a Trustee received a salary of £20,400 (2022: £17,175) in the current year for duties carried out as an employee of the Charity. Employers pension contributions were also paid of £1,020. The spouse of Jeff Lothamer was also employed by the Charity and received a salary of £20,400 (2022: £17,175). Employers pension contributions were also paid of £1,020.
The spouse of Helen Loo, a Trustee was also employed by the Charity and received a salary of £9,000 in the current year.
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