Charity Number: 1163017
JOURNEY COMMUNITIES (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 2 |
| Trustees’ Report | 3 – 9 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 10 |
| Receipts and Payments | 11 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 12 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 13 |
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The Trustees Jazz Shaban Chairman Alexandra Sweeney-Lui Shelbey Hunt Christie Lothamer 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
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for year ended 31 August 2024.
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.
Constitution updated in June 2024 with the Charity Commission.
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.
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Organisation of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation
The Trustees meet three times per year to administer the affairs of the CIO; there are no sub-groups acting for them. During the year, two Trustees financially benefited from the CIO's operations. Clear expectations for their participation in financial decisions, as well as details regarding services provided by Trustees and other related party activities, are outlined in our Governance Policy.
During the year, Journey Communities employed seven staff members (two full-time and five part-time). The church's staff leadership operates according to areas of expertise, such as worship leading, congregational teaching, financial and organisational leadership, leadership development, community ministry, and youth and children’s programs. Four of the seven 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, these staff members are required to dedicate activity, time, and travel to maintain these partnerships. These staff members are members of Greater Europe Mission, with which Journey Communities has a grant agreement and partnership.
Qualification for church membership is currently based on Christian commitment, commitment to the Church, and a desire to be formally recognised as a member of Journey Communities. Decisions regarding the overall direction and care of the Church are made by the Core Leadership, with input as necessary from other individuals 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 practically guide groups of people in life. Their training is a hybrid of theological, social, and practical strategies designed to strengthen individuals and families. Each leader and potential leader is encouraged, equipped, and resourced through participation in the Leadership Collective, a community of leaders that meets monthly. 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 2024
Activities, Achievements, Development
ACTIVITIES
Service Platform
The Service Platform is a team that is tasked with organising events, trainings and activities that help support the microchurches who are part of the Journey Communities church. Various full and part time staff members of Journey Communities support the activities of The Service Platform.
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.
The community also hold regular rhythms of craft and game nights at the café.
Graven Hill Microchurch
The GHMC (Graven Hill Microchurch) 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 rhythm of “Listen & Dialog,” and “Pray, Listen, Scripture”.
Kingsmere Microchurch
The Kingsmere microchurch has grown and our Sunday brunch rhythm for our church continues. 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, 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 Activites
The Leadership Collective meets monthly for support, encouragement, prayer, and equipping for the microchurches.
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Journey Microchurch Network Initiatives
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Monthly equipping gatherings are organized for Journey microchurches, with Highway Church as guests.
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A joint Easter service was held with Highway Church.
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A group from Journey attended the Big Church Day Out.
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A teenage girls' DNA group and Weekly Youth Group are active.
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A worship team led a worship gathering in November.
US Partnerships
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The Lothamers traveled to the USA for continued supporter development.
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Steve Caton continues to extend the reach of our church through GEM, leading spiritual retreats for missionaries.
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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. Luke and Hannah as well as Bob has finished the Workplace sharing faith course. The Brill microchurch was not formally started up due to lack of people.
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
We hosted 3v3 tournaments, which included a gospel presentation. The Kingsmere microchurch contains four families. We have continued to study the Bible, seeking to apply its teachings to our lives. The Kingsmere community continue to strengthen relationally and spiritually. Ella has indicated her desire to step up to be a part of the core team.
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The Leadership Collective
Those in a covenant relationship within TLC have grown in their relationships through our retreat times and monthly meetings. There is a strong spirit of mutual support and love as we seek to follow Jesus in our missional callings.
We introduced a new format that we believe will enable the leadership to fully embrace their shared responsibility to care for, pray for, and support one another in our microchurch and missional activities. The Service Platform is on rota to host these sessions, and each microchurch/mission leader will receive individualised encouragement.
A new framework for TLC has been implemented, which simplifies weekly organisation and facilitates shared leadership.
The Microchurch Network
The Microchurch Network continues to function in an overlapping capacity with the Journey Service Platform Staff. We continue to define what it means to operate as a collective of churches sharing resources while functioning autonomously in specific areas.
Significant learning has occurred regarding collaboration, charitable functions, developing systems for teamwork, assessing area needs, and providing support through equipping and prayer.
DEVELOPMENTS
Graven Hill Microchurch
Alex who was baptised in the Graven Hill microchurch has been a regular member of the our community. She has not only been coming regularly, she has also planned and lead on a few of the regular social gatherings that the community does as a whole. She has really grown in her spiritual life.
As part of the Graven Hill microchurch, both the ladies and the men have been meeting separately to pray and read scripture together to encourage each other to be think and act in a way that is more reflective of how we are taught to be in Scripture. This has improved further the relationship between the Graven Hill microchurch members.
Kingsmere Microchurch
As the Kingsmere microchurch mission, the Bicester Badgers formally established its basketball club under the guiding mission of "Healthy bodies, Healthy minds, Healthy spirits." Our approach to implementing this mission is increasingly strategic. Alongside developing and maintaining a healthy basketball culture that is inclusive and encouraging for all participants, we are actively sharing talks on diverse topics at 3v3 tournaments, serving inmates at the local prison, and engaging in deliberate, mission-aligned conversations in local pubs.
FLTR Coffee
The FLTR community continues to meet regularly at FLTR. However, we've learned that meeting at the coffee shop has become a hindrance to deepening relationships with both coffee shop customers and staff. While the community will continue to meet there on Sundays, Games Night and Craft Nights will also continue. As the community has grown and evolved, leadership believes it is time to transition from meeting at the shop to meeting in homes. It is also likely that the community will divide into two or three smaller groups to increase capacity for new participants.
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
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:
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Unrestricted general funds - that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.
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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 the Charity should maintain financial reserves equivalent to three months of operating costs, excluding missionary staff costs, which currently amounts to £6,500. Our missionary staff will have their own reserve funds, held either with Journey Communities or Greater Europe Mission, our partner organisation in the US.
At the end of our fiscal year on August 31st, 2024, the Charity had total funds of £20,524. While the reserves at year-end exceeded the established policy amount, the Trustees intend to invest further in one of the new charity initiatives, the Microchurch Network UK. This strategic investment aims to realign reserves with the policy level. An administrator will be employed for this project to support its development.
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
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:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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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 - Ms Jazz Shaban, c/o the registered office.
2 West Circular Road Ambrosden Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 2BB
Signed by order of the Trustees on ………………………… 30/06/2025
Jazz Shaban Chairman of Trustees
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
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 2024.
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 Act”).
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:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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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: 30/06/2025
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
| RECEIPTS Donations and gifts Grants Greater Europe Mission (North American) FLTR Microchurch network donations Interest Charitable activities 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 Special project Benevolent giving FLTR Generosity Investment Fleetwood grant Support costs DBS Website and technology Retreats 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 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 25,480 - 25,480 25,017 499 - 499 2,882 128,454 - 128,454 138,139 300 1,826 - - 300 1,826 838 240 378 1,775 - - 378 1,775 70 158,712 - 158,712 167,186 555 759 - - 6 2,285 100 4,966 1,199 2,597 - 157,194 544 988 - - 2,589 - 315 1,160 2,250 434 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 555 759 - - 6 2,285 100 4,966 1,199 2,597 - 157,194 544 988 - - 2,589 - 315 1,160 2,250 434 318 255 500 418 385 1,841 13 1,019 1,528 4,250 120 154,555 538 - 500 2,357 628 - 301 1,693 - 407 1,747 - 1,747 2,101 179,688 - 179,688 173,727 (20,976) - (20,976) (6,541) 41,422 20,446 78 78 41,500 20,524 48,041 41,500 |
|---|---|
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
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 £ 5,039 78 15,407 - |
|---|---|
| 20,446 78 |
|
| 26,682 - 2,083 - |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on ………………………….. on 30/06/2025 their behalf by:
Jazz Shaban Chairman of Trustees
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JOURNEY COMMUNITIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
RESTRUCTED FUNDS
| TRUCTED FUNDS | ||
|---|---|---|
| There has been no movement in restricted funds during the year: Hardship Fund |
2024 £ 78 78 |
2023 £ 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
Christie Lothamer, a Trustee received a salary of £16,450 (2023: £20,400) in the current year for duties carried out as an employee of the Charity. Employers pension contributions were also paid of £839.
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