The Oak Community Church Annual Report: April 2024 - March 2025
The Oak Community Church continues to serve both its congregation and the wider community with dedication and purpose. This report highlights the activities and financial standing of the church over the past year, as part of our submission to the Charity Commission. We remain steadfast in our mission to share God's love to our community through acts of service, spiritual nourishment, and outreach.
Our Ministry and Community Engagement
Sunday Services and Livestreaming
Our Sunday services remain a cornerstone of our ministry. Livestreaming these services has enabled us to reach individuals who are unable to attend in person due to ill health, work commitments, or travel. This initiative ensures that everyone can stay connected to the church, no matter their circumstances. This year, we have also begun sharing short video clips from our services on YouTube, providing regular reminders of sermon content for both our congregation and those beyond our church family. This new approach has extended our reach and impact in meaningful ways. For those attending in person, the junior church led by Ros Tate continues to provide a place where children can flourish, remaining flexible and dedicated to providing something for our younger ones no matter their age or how many we have each week.
Midweek Prayer Meetings
Our midweek prayer meetings on Zoom have continued to provide a flexible and accessible way for members to gather in prayer and fellowship without the need to leave their homes. While attendance remains small, a faithful group gathers regularly to pray and celebrate what God is doing. This platform has been especially beneficial for those with mobility challenges or tight schedules, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. We continue to see many answers to prayer. Additionally, an in-home prayer meeting on Fridays has provided another opportunity for members to gather in intercession.
Two Days of Prayer
This year, we held two dedicated days of prayer, which have become an essential part of the life of the church. These focused times of collective prayer allowed the congregation to seek God's guidance, intercede for the community, and deepen their spiritual connection. These times provided spiritual refreshment and prophetic guidance for those who participated.
Celebrating 25 Years
A highlight of the year was celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Oak Community Church. We held a special service filled with memories and testimonies from church members and previous church leaders. This joyful occasion allowed us to reflect on God's faithfulness over the years and to look forward with hope and expectation for the future.
Collaboration with Local Churches
The Oak Community Church remains an active participant in the "Churches Together in the Crays" initiative. Our relationship with other local churches remains strong, demonstrated through our annual open-air Good Friday service and a joint prayer and worship celebration. These events bring together believers from various congregations in a shared expression of faith, reinforcing our commitment to unity within the broader Christian community and providing an opportunity to demonstrate our shared values to the wider public.
Community Support Initiatives
Warm Space Initiative
We continued to provide a "warm space" for the local community once a week. This initiative offered a welcoming environment with tea, coffee, and, on occasion, a cooked hot meal. Our dedicated volunteers ensured that everyone who came felt valued and cared for. The warm space is well attended and has become a vital refuge for many, offering not just physical warmth but also a place of warm welcome and community to those who attend.
The Oak's Come n Chat Thursday Club
A new and flourishing community initiative was launched this year: The Oak's Come n Chat Thursday club for seniors. This club reaches out into the community, building on the foundations of a similar club that was previously run within our church building by another organisation who lost their funding. We are pleased to continue this important work and to see this ministry flourish as it serves our senior community members.
Partnership with Bromley Borough Foodbank
We have continued our strong partnership with Bromley Borough Foodbank, offering our building as one of their community access points. This partnership has enabled individuals and families in need to access essential food supplies and support in a convenient and welcoming environment. By working together, we have been able to extend our reach and impact in addressing food insecurity in our community.
Santa's Grotto Event
In December, we hosted our annual Santa's grotto event, offering free access for children to visit Santa and experience a festive atmosphere without the financial burden such events often carry. This year, the event helped 40 families, reaching around 80 children. The event was a resounding success, bringing joy to many families in our community. We are also delighted that this event raised £100 for the children's charity Demelza. Volunteers worked tirelessly to create a magical and welcoming environment, and the positive feedback from attendees has been overwhelming.
Bi-Annual Church Holiday
The church enjoyed its bi-annual holiday to Sizewell Hall Christian Conference Centre during this period. The trip was well attended and proved to be a blessing to many. This self-catering retreat provided an opportunity for fellowship, teaching, and relaxation, allowing us to work together, have fun, and deepen bonds as a church family.
Governance and Financial Update
Safeguarding Measures
The Oak Community Church continues to prioritize safeguarding measures to ensure a safe environment for all. In February 2025, safeguarding training was provided to the church and all volunteers in church roles, reinforcing our commitment to best practices and responsibilities. These steps demonstrate our proactive approach to creating a secure and welcoming space for everyone involved in church activities.
First Aid Training
During the year, two members received first aid training, enhancing our ability to respond to emergencies and care for our congregation and visitors.
Change in Trustee Leadership
This year saw a significant change in our trustee leadership. Vivienne Curtis, who had served as a trustee for over 15 years and as chair of trustees for 5 years, stepped down from this role. We express our deep gratitude for Vivienne's faithful service and dedication to the church over many years. Sam Marlow, who was already serving as a trustee, took on the role of chair, bringing with her valuable experience from the schools and safeguarding charity sector. We are thankful for Sam's willingness to serve in this capacity.
Annual Family Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting, known as the Annual Family Meeting, provided an opportunity to update the congregation on key decisions and the church's financial status. Transparency and open communication remain a priority for the leadership. We used this meeting as a forum to celebrate our achievements, share our challenges, and outline plans for the future, ensuring that every member feels involved in our journey.
Financial Overview
The trustees continue to manage regular income and expenditure with prudence, recognizing that financial sustainability requires careful stewardship. This year, however, we were blessed with two large one-off gifts along with gift aid returns, which have placed the church in a much stronger financial position. As a result, our overall bank balance increased by approximately £13,177 over the year.
These generous gifts have enabled us to establish healthy reserves to provide security in case of tougher seasons ahead. The trustees remain committed to wise financial management, balancing our current ministry needs with the responsibility to build reserves for future challenges and opportunities. We are deeply grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of our congregation, and we trust in God's continued provision.
Conclusion
The Oak Community Church remains committed to serving its members and the community with faith and determination. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the church this year through their time, talents, and financial contributions. We celebrate God's faithfulness and the hard work of all those who have given so generously to see His kingdom advanced in our community. Together, we look forward to continuing our ministry in the year ahead, remaining dedicated to adapting and growing in response to the needs of our congregation and community.
This report represents an account of the activities for the Oak Community Church CIO 1174870.
Trustees met regularly throughout the year, along with the Pastor, to ensure effective and efficient coordination between the legal and practical administration of the charity and the strategic and spiritual leadership of the Church.
This report has been seen and approved as a record of the Church CIO by the current trustees.
Current Trustees:
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Sam Marlow (Chair)
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Chris Holloway
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Wendy May
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Vanessa Steven
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Date: 27[th] January 2026
Oak Community Church CIO 1174870
THE OAK COMMUNITY CHURCH SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD APRIL 2024 TO MARCH 2025 Bank Account View*
| **Community Account ** | Building Fund Account | |
|---|---|---|
| (General Account) | (Savings Account) | |
| 70856258 | 50094870 | |
| Opening Balance | £2,675.34 | £12,212.64 |
| Income | ||
| Gifts to the church | £41,392.18 | |
| Tax Return | £5,725.01 | |
| Hall Hire Income | £1,821.00 | |
| Interest and Refunds | £246.13 | |
| Transer between accounts | £10,800.00 | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Employment Costs | £22,674.60 | |
| Running Costs | £9,289.95 | |
| Building Upkeep | £3,046.01 | |
| Charitable Giving | £319.00 | |
| Church Ministries | £606.55 | |
| Hall Hire Purchases | £70.80 | |
| Transer between accounts | £10,800.00 | |
| Closing Balance | £4,806.62 | £23,258.77 |
- The Oak Community Church operates separate bank accounts. These have previously been used to separate budgets for different purposes. With accounting systems in place these are no longer used for this purpose. The Virtual Fund view provides a breakdown of the different budget funds operated within the charity.
THE OAK COMMUNITY CHURCH SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD APRIL 2024 TO MARCH 2025 Bank Account Balances
| The Oak Community Church Trustees Community Account 70856258 | |
|---|---|
| Balance as at 1st April 2024 | £2,675.34 |
| Balance as at 31st March 2025 | £4,806.62 |
| The Oak Community Church (Building Fund) Business Reserve Account 50094870 | |
| Balance as at 1st April 2024 | £12,212.64 |
| Balance as at 31st March 2025 | £23,258.77 |
THE OAK COMMUNITY CHURCH SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD APRIL 2024 TO MARCH 2025 Virtual Fund View*
| General Fund | Building Project | John 3:16 | Fellowship Fund | Reserves | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance | £2,190.57 | £7,484.14 | £1,080.27 | £133.00 | £4,000.00 |
| Income | |||||
| Gifts to the church | £41,112.18 | £280.00 | |||
| Tax Return | £5,725.01 | ||||
| Hall Hire Income | £1,821.00 | ||||
| Interest and Refunds | £246.13 | ||||
| Transer between accounts | £11,000.00 | ||||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Employment Costs | £22,674.60 | ||||
| Running Costs | £9,289.95 | ||||
| Charitable Giving | £100.00 | £219.00 | |||
| Building Upkeep | £3,046.01 | ||||
| Church Ministries | £606.55 | ||||
| Hall Hire Purchases | £70.80 | ||||
| Transer between accounts | £11,000.00 | ||||
| Closing Balance | £4,306.98 | £7,484.14 | £861.27 | £413.00 | £15,000.00 |
- The Oak Community Church operates a number of virtual funds to separate budgets for different purposes. With accounting systems in place these are can be tracked across whichever bank account the finances physically held within.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE OAK COMMUNITY CHURCH
I report on the accounts of the Oak Community Church for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43 (2) of the Charities Act (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
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Examine the accounts (under section 43 (3) (a) of the 1993 Act);
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To follow procedure laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43 (7) (b) of the 1993 Act); and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: ………………………………………………………………………………… Name: Catherine Emma Gower Melia (Non serving) Elder, The Temple United Reformed Church, High Street, St Mary Cray, Kent, BR5 4AX
Address: 34 Lee Church Street Lewisham London SE13 5SF Date: 10[th] December 2025.