Rivercourt Methodist Church (RMC)
Trustees’ Report to the Charity Commission 01 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
Church Address: King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JT Circuit Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham 35/04 District London Charity Number 1174328 Minister in Charge: Revd. Iesinga Vunipola Trustees at 31 Aug 2024 Revd. Iesinga Vunipola – Chair Mr. Stephen Lawrence – Treasurer Mr. Kwaku Tieku – Organist Ms. Juliana Goode Mr. A. A. M. Grigg Ms. Francess Brown Mr. James Goode – Safeguarding Officer Bookkeeper Mr. Solomon Sackey Auditor Verdant Accountants Limited. (Chaweevan Williams FCCA) Trustees The minister is always Chair of the Trustees and is appointed to one or more Churches in our Circuit (charity 1133940). They are chosen by the Conference and paid by the Circuit. Their level of pay is determined by the Conference of the British Methodist Church (Charity number 1132208). Our current minister is Revd. Iesinga (‘Singa’) Vunipola. At the January Circuit Meeting it was announced that Singa would be invited to retain her post for another 5 years. According to Methodist rules this would be her last appointment in the Circuit. Two new Trustees from last year, Ms. Brown and Mr. Goode, last year attended a professional trustee training course.
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| Two Trustees resigned during the past year, both in August. Ms. Vanessa Brackett has moved out of the area and is now involved in another Church. Ms. Joan Bennett resigned having completed the recommended six years as a Trustee. She continues to hold other positions within Rivercourt Methodist Church (“RMC”). The only other trustee paid apart from the minister is Kwaku Tieku. He plays the organ at services and is a trained music therapist. He is an excellent organist and communicator which makes him one of thegreat assets at RMC. |
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| Circuit | The Methodist London District is made up of many Circuits. RMC is a member of the Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham Circuit, which consists of five Methodist churches: Askew Road, Chelsea, Fulham Broadway, RMC and Shepherd’s Bush Road. The assignment of ministers within the Circuit is decided by the Circuit itself. We share Rev. Vunipola with Shepherd’s Bush Road Church. |
| Congregation and Faith Initiatives |
When the financial year began in September 2023 Covid was only a memory. RMC had its doors open as they were prior to Covid. Some practices which should have always been done stayed in place. Hand sanitizers, open windows, food and fire safety announcements along with the occasional face mask still make appearances. The position of Safeguarding Officer is now permanent and is always considered whenever changes are made. As the number of worshippers has gone up RMC has made an effort to keep the front doors open as much as possible. Thursdays are the day of choice for mid-week worship. Small Church meetings are held then as well the Film and Faith discussions. Pastoral visiting took place on a regular basis from Church members. Rev. Singa also visited members as required A WhatsApp group has helped those with computers to stay in touch. Last year Rivercourt decided to break from Glass Door Homeless Charity to support a new entity named Sunday Suppers. The breakaway allowed Rivercourt to use the best of Glass Door’s model but utilize the unique advantages we have at Rivercourt. Although long term Sunday Suppers could become a charity, this year it remained a part of Rivercourt Church. Sunday Suppers raised money for itself and only spent money designated for itself. |
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| This means that the accounts are more complicated than normal this year. A brief summary of the first year of operation follows. In 2023-24, Sunday Suppers served people who are homeless or experiencing food poverty with a nutritious free hot meal every Sunday evening from 19 Nov 2023 to 27 April 2024. Tea and coffee was served from 6.30pm. Supper was served at 7.30pm. We used halal meat; vegetarian and vegan options were available. We also offered our guests some groceries to take away, and good quality second-hand clothing, when available. We fed 172 different people, including 53 women, the youngest of whom was 14, and served over 1,000 meals, including takeaways. By the time we paused for a summer break we were feeding between 65 and 70 guests every Sunday. Volunteers came from Rivercourt and St. Peters. The Tongans regularly cooked and served food. Many others joined via word of mouth. Young adults from local schools helped out with washing up, serving coffee, etc. Special supervision was always given to students by adults mindful of safeguarding responsibilities. |
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| Ministerial Oversight | At the September Church Council Meeting a vote was taken. Rev. Singa decided she wished to stay for another five years and her Circuit churches Shepherd’s Bush Road and Rivercourt decided they would like to see her continue in her current role. She also manages the Tongan Fellowship Group in the UK. This brings a great deal of Tongans into Rivercourt of all ages for celebrations and fellowship. RMC is the perfect size for Tongan services and as a result although a normal congregation could be 15 to 20 people if the Tongans attend it could be doubled. If it is a special service, there could be 80 to 90 people including Tongan officials. Methodist ministers normally move from appointment to appointment in 5 year intervals. If both parties agree the 5 years can be extended for an additional 5 years. To stay longer requires exceptional circumstances. Examples could be ministers or family members requiring medical treatment close to the ministerial appointment. Singa began her role in the Circuit in August of 2019. |
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| Building | RMC is an impressive church (insured value £13,185,221 as of 24 June 2024) not including contents. It opened in 1875. This means RMC will celebrate its 150thanniversary in 2025. RMC was converted in the late 1990s to provide flexibility in a modern worship space. The building is both a curse and a blessing. The blessing is that as a high street church, there are many people passing by who express a genuine interest into what is going on inside. Many people stop to pray. Its location close to both bus and tube services as well as a cycle lane make it an easy place to have meetings, classes or other get togethers. Many people who come in off the street are very impressed with the worship space. With a large hotel very close we can see tourists on Sunday. The curse of a large church with a small congregation is its upkeep. Property management is a major cost of time and money for the Trustees. In recent years we have had exceptional costs for the spire, the roof, a sewage backup, drain collapses, and damp. Damp and drainage will always be a problem due to how basements were constructed in Victoria times. We just have to learn how to control it. |
| Financial Accounts | This year finds many categories up on the previous year. This is a one-off result of having Rivercourt Church as well as Sunday Suppers reported at the same time on a single bank account. In the future, once Sunday Suppers becomes a charity itself, the results will be reported separately. The shops in Rivercourt House have been managed badly by the Methodist London Committee (MLC). This has meant RMC is grossly underpaid for the two shops. However this will change as MLC takes charge and gets RMC the correct rent in good time with the correct amounts paid. Following a terrible period with no income from a nursery in the basement, we managed to find a tenant who is able to pay rent at £40,000 a year. Currently the tenant is on a limited contract but that will certainly be converted into a normal letting. Next year will be crucial for RMC. We should be able to collect back rent for properties managed by the MLC and collect a regular amount of £40,000 for the nursery. We could still have problems with the damp. |
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Reserves Reserves are the amount of money held by RMC in case of unforeseen circumstances. RMC aims to keep six months of turnover in cash that is easily accessible. Both Sunday Suppers and the Church had a surplus. However the Sunday Suppers account surplus will disappear next year as SS becomes a Charity. Our bank account (Central Board of Finance) remained consistent. We are very dependent on the £10,000 we receive from the Nursery lettings every quarter. We also collect a regular rent from a flat RMC manages in Rivercourt House that is important. Reserves are also people. Our small and older congregation can do with help to realise RMC’s potential. We need to employ people outside the congregation to keep RMC relevant via Social Media and Social Ministry. We need money to pay the human energy costs to bring a new generation to Christ in ways the current congregation can’t really imagine. Much of our work in the community is the result of having a space that is extremely usable. The Sunday Supper community work brings many new people into RMC with new ideas. This can be seen with the explosion of new volunteers. Collecting the income from the properties managed by the Methodist London Committee (MLC) needs to be regular. If this happens, we should be able to maintain a healthy reserve. If we don’t have rental income, we could look to cut back. Essential building repairs don’t grow our mission but keep us going as we discover new ways of bringing the word of Christ to West London. If we get regular rental money, there is some pent-up pressure to spend money on RMC to enhance the worship experience and to grow the congregation. Hopefully we will be able to follow this path. Other Rivercourt itself received no special grants from Government or private interests. £3,000 was received by Sunday Suppers from The London Bourgh of Hammersmith and Fulham. Income was derived from public giving, lettings and users of RMC itself. No professional fundraisers were used. All monies raised and spent were done so in England. Rivercourt Church is celebrating its 150[th] anniversary in 2025. It will require a lot of work to the fabric of the Church. However no serious incidents occurred durin the ast ear. g p y
Steve Lawrence – Church Treasurer
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CHURCH (Short Form) RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS (SHORT FORM) Rivercourt Methodist Chur¢h FOR THE YEAR ENDED Saturday 31 August 2024 Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham Clrcuit no 35104 Reglstered Charity - Charlty Reglstration numbor 1174328 If not a registered charlty HIS Majesty's Rovenue and Customs Glft Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitsble status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister: IEs{n]6A (Po Church Stewards: AM63 Treasurer: O £-
ChurGh Short Rlv•rcourt Methodist Church ACCOUNTS FOR TNEYEAR ENDED 31 AuguBt 2024 ¥ECThIN A t•Y th• nw••tZ RECEIVS Olf•nnyts 8nd Tax rec4¥v•d-ChuYL 15,021 19.903 Oon8wJn• lor Swlly Supp•r 12,JlO Bank and CFB Inl•r•ii& hlm•nI Incom L•tt 124013 101,7 2.OJ8 512 TOTAL RECQPT8 122,047 8ECTh)N B b1 PAYItENTS Cir¢uhAu••wwnt pr8hi 8.872 b3 Don•tson• 2.025 R•pairn •nd MntIn¥¢0 21,241 37.894 UUll•J Ilnwrancw, wat•r ,h•ale&l I JO,214 26,859 Ch pawn•n 71J52 55,231 b7 Sunday Supp•r Expon• TOTAL PAYIIÈNT8 1.120 144.030 130.881 ¥ECTW)14 C NET REcwm I IPAYIIENT81 FOII Ywé YEAR el l•e.b7 10.JS2 16.2341 Tot•1 Thd¥ ni fv¥Td IFOM 39.OJO 48.164 TOTAL FUIIO• AT ENOOF YEAR (¢1 4 c21 SO.2•2 39.9 It7 511¢• hern th• low ofiny Qthor 088•18 ol th• Churth si•1• T• th•toI Iny of¢ C Sl•t• here thè oflm Churth prfjml i1 Lw¢•nts 13,JM,725 12.W6.842 SECTION D ANALY IS QF FiINOS d1 ••bncei ho T¢p •1 91 ull d2 Baljnw held al CFB •131 A 17.311 10.407 d3 8ank and ¢8th blll•nc0¥ at 31 Auguat )2,893 23.$23 TOTAL {- Box c31 a0242 3#,930 SEcT)N E FOR1I4FI)RT1OIl OF4LY'. IIOIIEY AECEflEO AND PA88eD QNTO EXTEANAL OAGA1418ATIOtIS It1• mounl• notto b• In¢lud•d lTrtotsl T•IP•YTr•nI•lmI •bov•l Ban tx0whtf0r8 fmm L481 y•or 01 02 o1fonnoGffis . passod to MJanisab¢n* BALANCE 8nLL TO BE PAK) le1+e2-831 CW 5hM-flmsl.fum7)f.JCfOrhUY¢¢S-2Dl4_Y2.5 2of4
Name of Church Rlvercourt Methodlst Church Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer . Name and address of treasurer . Post Code... Presentatlon to the Church trust••s I confimi that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 werelwill be. presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on . Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the rneeting Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of th8 Rivercourt Methodist Church Charlty Number 1174328 Responslbllltleg and basls of report report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Rivercourt Methodist Church for the y8ar ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages 2. As the Church's trustees, you are resF)onsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. CW sh0rt-fcfflndard40rm.acnts-Iur.chUrth0$-2o24 v2.xls 3of4
Name of Church River¢ourt Methodist Church Independent Examlner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I have obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of Independent examiner Chaweevan Wllllams FCCA Relevant professlonal quallficatlon of independent examiner: Chartèred Certified Accountant Name of fimi: Verdant Accountants Limited Address: 20-22 Wenlock Road. London N17GU Date y4$ CW Short-form-standard-fomil-acc0unts-forrfhur¢he2o24_V2.Xls 4of4
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of RIVERCOURT METHODIST CHURCH On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Charlty no (If any) 1174328 Set out on page I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the period ended 31 August 2024. Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of roport of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'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. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matt8rs 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 concems 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. Independent oxamlnorfs statement Slgned: Date: 30 June 2025 Name: Chaweevan Williams FCCA Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body . Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road. London N17GU
Rivercourt Methodist Church Accounts Year ended 31 August 2024
Rivercourt Methodist Church Recei ts and ments summa Year ended 31st Au ust 2024 2024 2023 Receipts Volunta Income Collections, donations and Gift Aid Donations for Sunday Supper 15,038 12,350 19,903 Rental income: Shops & Flats Church basement Church hall lettings S1,464 40.000 32,629 20,527 47,709 33,502 124,093 101,738 Others income.. Bank Interest Tenants, Contribution towards costs Insurance proceeds Miscellaneous 863 494 2,038 512 Total Recolpts 154,382 122,647 Pa ments Circuit assessment Stsff salaries and National Insurance Music Directorlorgan - Church Property maintenance Insurance Llght and heating Water rates Business rates Cl8aning and refuse collection Telephone and internet Professional fees- includes estate agent's fee Accountsncy Postage and stationery Travel Bank charges Other payments - flowers, Christmas tree, etc. Purchase of equipment- computer. Hoover & Fridge License cost Sundry Expenses Donations Honorarium Bookkeeping Sunday Supper Expenses 8,000 30,467 5,350 26,240 9,111 29,610 653 8,872 30,623 4,850 32,749 8,647 13,639 688 5,145 3,885 933 10,083 730 4,055 2,853 715 9,583 810 3,057 352 129 4,232 5,002 512 381 53 800 6,120 134 1,907 1,116 2,025 800 Total Payments 144,030 130,881 (Defi¢it)ISurplus 10,352 8,234
Rivercourt Methodist Church Balance Sheet Asat31Au ust 2024 2024 General Fund Accumulatad (deficlt)18urplu• at 01 Septemr 2023 Surplus l {Doficlt> for the y•ar - Church Surplus l (Doflclt) for the year - Sunday Suppor 39,930 4,122 6,230 48,164 {8,234> AGGumulat•d (d•flclty8urplus at 31 August 2024 39,930 Re resented Bank & Cash - Central Board of Flnance bank deposlt account HSBC bank current account - Petty Cash 17,389 32,893 16,407 23,523 Total funds at 31 Augu$1 2024
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALESRIVERCOURT METHODIST CHURCH 1174328 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 0110912023 To 3110812024 Section A Receipts and payments Unro$trl¢ted funds to th• n•amt Roslrlcted funds Endowment funds Total fund$ Lalt y•ar t• th• no•r1 £ to th• n•ar••t £ to th• n••r•#t £ to th• nMr••t £ A1 R•¢elpts Cdleclions and Donots"on¥ Donalons for Sunday Supp8r Leth'ng Incom• Bank Inlere$l Other Receipts 15,038 12,350 124.093 10.031 12,3JO 124,093 19,903 101.738 494 2.030 2,031 512 Sub tot•lfGro$s Income forAR) A2 Assat and Investment •al•s, (100 tablo). 1043•2 1043•2 122.647 Sub total Total rn¢•lpt$ 154,382 154,382 122,147 AJPa m•nt• Churth Circuit Propwty mginianance Utllltth & Wat•r r&t•s Staff co$¢8 Donatsons Other p8yment8 Sunday Supper Expen868 8.000 26,241 8,872 37.894 26.839 30,82J 2,025 23,492 26.241 30.417 53 30.467 37.683 6.120 37.883 6.12 Sub tota 13•.028 139,0 129,708 A4 As•at and Investmant pur¢ha••s, (s•e tab Asset Purchas• S002 Sub tota 5,1)02 5.002 144,030 144,030 130.881 Net of recelpts/(payments) A5 Tronsfern botweon fund8 A6 Cash funds last year ond Cash funds thls year en 10.352 10.352 8,234 39,930 50,282 39,930 48.164 39.930
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrostrictod Restflctad funds funds to A••t £ Endowmont funds Categories Details to n•ar•st£ to n•ar••t £ 81 Cash lunds Bank aeKounts HSBC 32.893 Bank a)Unts CFB -Deposit 17.38• Total ¢ash fvnds 50,282 Iyae lanCaS ¥th rec4ipt$ 4nd p•yment8 8cctyJntltsii Unrestrlct•d funds to n•ar••t £ Ro8trl¢tod funds to n•ar••t £ Endowm•nt funds to M•r••t £ Details Fund t• whl¢h ••••l b•lon Detalls Co•t lopt10nl Cuff•nt vahJ• loptl•n•ll B3 Inve•lm•nt as8Ots Fund to whlch ••*•t b•lon Det•ll$ Co•t loptlonall Curr•nl Y•lu• loptlonall 84 Assets retalned lor tho charlty'• own use Fund ¢0 whlch Detalls Amount du• lonal Wh•n du• B6 Llabllltl•• Signgd by one OT tsvo tru$le0s on behalf of all the truslees Signature Prfnt Name Date of approval
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru8teesl mombers of RIVERCOURT METHODIST CHURCH On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Charity no (If any) 1174328 S•t out on page I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of th8 above charity ("the Trust") for the period ended 31 August 2024. Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have follow8d the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b> of the Act. 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 beli8ve 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. Independent examlnerfs ststoment Slgned: Date: 30 June 2025 Name: Chaweevan Williams FCCA Relevant professional qualification(s) or body . Chartered Certified Accounlants Address: Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N17GU