2024-09-30-accounts - Godalming Unitarians

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF GODALMING UNITARIANS

For the period 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024

Overview

Godalming Unitarians con�nued to thrive over the year under the con�nued leadership of our chair, Chris�ne Mar�n and our minister Revd Mar�n Whitell.

We put on an ac�ve programme of Sunday services with great support from worship leaders from our congrega�on, as well as visi�ng preachers and interfaith ministers and our new minister. A strong sense of community was maintained through regular events, walks, community art cafe and special services.

About Godalming Unitarians CIO

Godalming Unitarians is a member-led democra�c group. Our aims and purposes are to promote in Godalming and surrounding areas a free and inquiring religion in accordance with the principles of the General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Chris�an Churches (“the GA”). We do this through ‘the worship of God and the celebra�on of life; the service of humanity and respect for all crea�on; and the upholding of the liberal Chris�an tradi�on’.

Achievements and Performance

Worship, medita�on, and prayer

also consoling through the good �mes and the bad. The trustees were pleased to be able to maintain a full programme of services every Sunday each month.

At the start of October 2023 we had our annual harvest service led by our minister with a collec�on of food and household goods for Godalming & Villages Community Store. Con�nuing this theme we had our annual “Social Ac�on” Sunday in November and thanks to generous dona�ons, were able to stock, pack and deliver 75 Christmas Hampers to Godalming & Villages Community Store.

Over Christmas 2023, Mar�n was able to lead our annual candle-lit carol service as well as a service on Christmas Eve and an informal service with contribu�ons from the congrega�on on New Year’s Eve. As usual Mar�n’s services were upli�ing, though�ul and thought-provoking and delivered with great humour and sensi�vity.

In March, Mar�n led our Easter service and we were pleased to have our former minister, Revd Sheena Gabriel, lead a service for us in July. The year rounded off neatly with the harvest service at the end of September.

As well as our visi�ng preachers (including Bert Clough, Revd Jim Corrigall and Val Worthington) special thanks go to interfaith ministers, Edie Campbell, Lindsay Stevens and Anna Lubelska. Also to our lay preachers and service leaders including Anne-Marie Walsh, Shirley Wardell, Steve Williams,

Rob Oulton and Paul Richards, and to Nicola Young, our preaching coordinator, who has ensured our preaching rota is complete.

last Wednesday of the month and spend 45 minutes in contempla�ve reflec�on. Thanks to our chair, Chris�ne Mar�n for organizing this ac�vity.

We have maintained hybrid services allowing those who are unable to a�end in person to be present via Zoom. Thanks go to Adam Baumberg and Paul Richards for con�nuing to provide the technical support for these services.

Religious educa�on

We have not been able to provide a Children’s Programme but have enjoyed contribu�ons from the younger members of our community in services. Mar�n has also con�nued to provide support to newer service leaders from the congrega�on.

In November, Mar�n led a moving Remembrance Service and in January, Edie Campbell led a Sunday service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Pastoral support and rites of passage

Our community is open to people of all faiths and none and it is worth reitera�ng that there is no dogma or set of beliefs required for those wishing to join or a�end Godalming Unitarians.

We were pleased to welcome two new members this year. We would also like to encourage others who may be interested to join as members. Those who prefer to remain as friends or simply commit to occasional groups or ac�vi�es are, of course, always welcome.

The congrega�on’s informal pastoral support network, sensi�vely led by Dana Daniels and supported by other members of the congrega�on, con�nued its valuable work behind the scenes, enabling those unable to a�end to keep in touch with chapel life.

Wider Unitarian involvement

Godalming Unitarians maintained a presence at the annual mee�ng of the General Assembly (although we didn’t send an official delegate this year). We also supported the annual FUSE event (the Fes�val of Unitarians in the South-East), and will con�nue to support other events.

Outreach

The monthly Community Art Café has been mee�ng regularly throughout the year. Thanks to Pam Dalton Williams for organising this along with Anne-Marie Walsh.

This year we were pleased to host our ‘Great Community Garden Party’ again. We had the Godalming Band as usual and there was further entertainment from the “Kissing Frogs”. The event raised £437 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. Thanks to Pam Dalton Williams for organising and for everyone who contributed their baking and �me.

Our premises have historically been a well-used resource within the community for mee�ngs of U3A groups, healers, dowsers, yoga and Tai chi enthusiasts, ukulele players and neighbourhood groups.

Many of these groups meet in the hall and thanks go to Paul Richards for managing all the bookings.

In September, Anna and Sarah Jones led our team at the Pride in Surrey event (celebra�ng Surrey’s LGBTQ+ community) at Guildford. We took part in the parade and staffed a stall in Stoke Park to raise our visibility and promote our commitment to equality.

Helping others in need is a demonstra�on of our commitment to look beyond ourselves. We have con�nued to offer refreshments a�er the service, and have been collec�ng coffee-�me dona�ons for Conquest Art, Woking LGBTQ+ Hub, Step by Step (suppor�ng young people) and Mane Chance Sanctuary.

Thanks also to Jill Durrant and Sarah Jones for keeping our social media fresh and updated.

Social ac�vi�es

Our ac�vi�es groups help to create community. The Sunday walking group has con�nued but due to illness and injuries was not able to con�nue throughout the year - instead we have looked into community excursions including a visit to a local animal refuge “Mane Chance” in the summer, which was well a�ended.

Thanks to Pam Dalton Williams, Steve Williams, Adam Baumberg and Paul Richards for leading the walks and to Rosie Fargus for organising the trip to Mane Chance.

The book group con�nued to meet regularly and discussed a wide range of novels.

Volunteers

We thank all the volunteers who work hard behind the scenes to keep chapel life going – from mee�ng and gree�ng, to providing refreshments, flowers, gardening, DIY and many other tasks. Thanks to the premises team (Chris�ne Hayhurst, Chris�ne Mar�n and Paul Richards).

Thanks also to the trustees for their dedica�on and contribu�on to the smooth running of Godalming Unitarians in all areas of ac�vity.

Governance

During the year, Chris�ne Mar�n has con�nued as chair of the trustees and we are very grateful for all her hard work and leadership. We currently have just seven trustees so are keen for new members to join us to help keep everything running smoothly. We are grateful to our treasurer Laurie Kulcher who has agreed to con�nue on in the role.

FINANCIAL REVIEW 2023-2024

In the year to September 2024 total receipts exceeded total payments resul�ng in an overall surplus of £5,555.

Income:

Overall income was almost exactly the same as in 2022-23, but with some drama�c swings.

Ignoring a generous bequest received in 2022-23, income from pledges and dona�ons was actually slightly higher than in 2022-23.
Similarly, Hall & Chapel rentals were higher as was Co�age rental (which was increased from November 2023).
to a surge in interest rates in 2023.
Due to unavoidable delay in submi�ng numbers to HMRC, our 2022-23 Gi� Aid of £4,850 was not received in 2023-24. However, this money has now been received, and will be supplemented by the 2023-24 Gi� Aid which will also be received this year.

Expenditure:

Ministry costs were higher due to having a part-�me minister for the en�re year.
Musician’s fees were higher due to a fee increase implemented in October 2023.
Hall and Chapel repair costs were higher, the main expenditure being on electrical upgrades/improvements in the Hall.
Grounds upkeep costs were higher due to necessary tree pruning work.
work will need to be done in 2024-25.

problems mee�ng our financial obliga�ons and objec�ves in 2024-25.

the year.

Administra�ve informa�on

Godalming Unitarians is a Charitable Incorporated Organisa�on, registered by the Charity Commission with number 1166019.

GODALMING UNITARIANS Receipts & Payments Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024

Notes Receipts Offertory, Pledges, Donations 1 Gift Aid 2 Special Services Fund Raising Activities and other 3 Grants Received 4 Hall and Chapel Letting Income Cottage Gross Rent Bank Interest Other receipts Total Receipts Payments Ministry 4 Visiting Preachers Musicians 1 Subscriptions & donations Charitable donations and other 3 Conferences & Courses Post, Telephone & Stationery Publicity, Publications & Periodicals Insurance Grounds Upkeep Legal Fees/Licences Professional fees Chapel Utilities Chapel Cleaning Chapel Maintenance & Repairs Hall Utilities Hall Cleaning Hall Maintenance & Repairs Cottage Utilities Cottage Letting Agent Fees Cottage Maintenance & Repairs Bank charges Sundry & General Administration Total Payments Surplus/(Deficit) for the year	Restricted Unrestricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023-24 2022-23 £ £ £ £
	75 15,665 15,740 19,577 - - 3,534 - - - 2,375 2,375 2,545 270 283 553 472 11,634 11,634 7,496 13,066 13,066 11,594 3,077 3,077 1,184 - - -
	2,720 43,725 46,445 46,401
	270 15,697 15,967 6,449 766 766 922 75 2,350 2,425 1,590 1,561 1,561 1,451 2,616 2,616 2,085 530 530 350 23 23 62 63 63 41 1,966 1,966 1,750 3,748 3,748 1,870 - - - - 964 964 617 1,091 1,091 983 1,020 1,020 319 1,897 1,897 1,000 1,954 1,954 1,500 2,922 2,922 272 - - - - 90 553 553 7,516 68 68 67 755 755 476
	2,961 37,930 40,890 29,412
	(241) 5,796 5,555 16,989

1 2	f75donation(restricted)tocover musician's fee at April 2024 coflee morning. Giftaidof f4,854.02wasnotreceiveduntilafter year end,dueto theclaim havingbeen	f75donation(restricted)tocover musician's fee at April 2024 coflee morning. Giftaidof f4,854.02wasnotreceiveduntilafter year end,dueto theclaim havingbeen
3	Thedifference betweenFundRaisingActivities... and Charitable donations...is-f240.63.
	Thisrepresents fundsnotpassed onto the following	charitieswithinthe year:
	ConquestArt	2!9.37
	Lessfundsraised intheprevious year andpassedon	this year:
	Godalming &VillagesCommunityStore	(207.50)
	BroadwaterYouth	(177.50)
	CABWaverley	(7s.00)

Cashfunds:	Restricted	Unrestricted	Total	Total
	Funds	Funds	2023-24	2022-23
	f	f	f	f
Cashin bank1October 2023	460	ttt,577	112,03L	95,042
Surplus/(Deficit) this yearend	(24Ll.	5,796	5,555	16,989
Uncleared cheques		232	232
Cashinbank 30September 2024	2L9	t17,599	7L7,8L8	1_12,037
Representedby:			f
CAFCashaccount		10,673	LO,673
CAFGoldaccount		67,704	67,704
CharityBankDeposit Account		31,369	31,369
BOOM! Credit Union Corporate Account		8,072	8,072
		tt7,8t8	LL7,818

Assetsretained for the charity's ownuse:	Fundtowhich assetbelongs	Current value (optional)
Landand buildings - not valued	Restricted
Furniture,fixturesandfittings- not valued	Unrestricted
Liabilities:	FundtowhichAmountdue liabilityrelates(optional)	Whendue (optional)