Faversham Gospel Mission Charity registration number 1171357
Trustees Annual Report 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022
Aims and Objectives
‘For the public benefit, to advance the Christian faith in Faversham, Kent and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Charity Trustees may from time to time decide.’
Structure and organisational relationships
Founded in the 1880s, in 2017 the Mission became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. The spiritual leaders, deacons and trustees meet regularly. The Mission is a member body of the Evangelical Alliance, and we are active within Churches Together in Faversham.
Summary of main activities
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we continued to hold a worship and teaching service every Sunday morning, with 25-40 attending. During the lockdown this occurred either by Zoom; or, following all Covid guidelines, as a mixed service with Zoom and personal attendance; or in personal attendance when Covid policies were relaxed. The midweek Bible study and fellowship group also continued to meet similarly throughout this period, and there were regular prayer meetings and occasional special events. All church activities were open to all without any charge. Practical and pastoral support has continued to be provided to any in need, confidentially and without charge.
We continued to host the town’s Trussell Trust Foodbank, providing storage and two main client sessions held under relevant Covid guidance each week. Salvation Army volunteers working informally alongside us developed their much valued community wardrobe.
Ever since the 1880s we have been home to the now-named Faversham Mission Brass, storing instruments and providing weekly rehearsal space, and practices were resumed as soon as Covid regulations permitted. When permitted, a community choir also used the hall most weeks for rehearsal.
These community activities demonstrate how trustees continually have regard for the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.
Financial review
Believing in ‘every member ministry’ we have no paid staff. We do not fundraise, and receive no grants from government or other sources. We do not make grants.
Our receipt and payments accounts for the year show income of £12,738 and expenditure of £19,499, the deficit being £6,761. During the year we made regular disbursements to eight Christian organisations, totalling £3,091. Because of the concern in 2020 of the possibility of severe economic consequences following Brexit, in order to protect assets we had transferred sums of £85,000 (the maximum FSA guarantee) to two Christian banks. These had begun earning modest amounts of interest, but we also recognise the spiritual investment. No funds were held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.
We have a formal reserves policy of always holding a minimum of three months’ average expenditure. Despite recurring annual deficits of income over expenditure, we have no shortor medium-term concerns about the Mission’s financial stability. There is no uncertainty about the charity continuing as a going concern.
Reference and administrative details
Name: Faversham Gospel Mission Registered charity number: 1171357 Principal address: Tanners Street, Faversham ME13 7JL
Names of trustees managing the charity:
Julie Chittenden (until 31 August) Amanda Jane Eason David Andrew Napier Fergusson (with effect from 1 September) Stuart Owen (until 31 August) James Sidney Ransom Geoffrey Stuart Sandiford
During their time in office, all trustees held title to the property belonging to the charity. There are no corporate trustees.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name: David Andrew Napier Fergusson Position: Chair
Full name: Position: Trustee Date
Faversham Gospel Mission Registered Charity No. 1171357 ft1pts and Payments Accounts for 1° Aprfl 2021 to 3111 March 2022 Receipts In¢ludln8 from Natwest, nedOM Bank & Rellance Bank 2021122 2020/21 bfferings-sunday services. etc Stewardship in¢luding Gift Aid Regular standing orders Interest on'investments. Refund elertricity 3879 6822 1160 535 342 12738 Total 8815 Payments not from Klngdom 8ank & Rellance Bank Gas Electrlc. Phone & broadband Water Repairs & maintenance Disbursements Speakers, ex enses Contract cleaner5 Copyright licence Evangelical Allian ACAT 31.8 Insuran IF Zoom 586 936 827 143 7426 3091 250 3780 374 100 32 181 iiii 150 173 201 138 19499 Miscellaneous Totsl 12593 Defi¢ft of In¢(fft over È dlture £ 6761
Faversham Gospel Mission Reglstered Charity No. 1171357 Funds held 31 March 2022 31 March 2021 Natwest 8ank £111,617 £1308 Kingdom 8ank Church & Charlty Reserve Account Reliance Bank Noti Deposlt Account Cash 85.688 85,409 85,520 85.264 Totsb £282J75 £288.981 l unpresented theque (No. CKmOII £324 Chair of Trustees from I September 2021 Treasurer from I September 2021