Charity Registration No. 1175973 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |Trustees|Tim Foley| |---|---| ||Linda Wilson| ||Andrew Potter| ||Helen Roe| ||Phil Warburton| ||Joshua Searle (resigned 27 September 2023)| ||Dumisani Ncube| ||Sian Murray Williams (appointed 15 July 2023)| ||Carol Wert (appointed 10 November 2023)| |Governing Document|CIO Constitution (2017)| |Charity number|1175973| |Principal address|Lytchett House| ||13 Freeland Park| ||Wareham Road| ||Poole| ||BH16 6FA| |Independent Examiners|Stewardship| ||1 Lamb’s Passage| ||London| ||EC1Y 8AB| |Bankers|CAF Bank Ltd| ||25 Kings Hill Avenue| ||Kings Hill, West Malling| ||Kent| ||ME19 4JQ| ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Trustees' report|1-10| |Independent Examiner's report|11| |Statement of financial activities|12| |Balance sheet|13| |Notes to the accounts|14| **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023. ## Introduction from the Chair We currently have four main projects, based on shared Anabaptist values, which in 2023 developed in their different contexts in ways appropriate to the projects, responding to the challenges of being a charity in 2023. SoulSpace, in Northern Ireland, has developed regular monthly gatherings, alongside its existing strong online presence organised by a capable team of facilitators. Its focus is creating community, both in person and online, for people who struggle to connect with traditional churches. As one of the few groups working outside denominational and sectarian structures in the Belfast area, SoulSpace opens up opportunities for people to explore and express their faith in a variety of ways and thus resources and enhances both personal wellbeing and a sense of community. In addition, it continued to develop links with other groups focused on peace and reconciliation. Peaceful Borders continued with drop-ins and continued to develop personal connections, offering the practical advice that is so helpful for asylum seekers and refugees. They have an impressive list of impacts: some of these ways in which they made a difference to the lives of many people 2023 can be read below. They also continued their work in Calais. Based on Anabaptist values, this important work impacts some of the people most in need in our society. The AMN Church planting programme, now known as Incarnate, used both in person events and online connections to facilitate continued exploration and discussion around the development of churches based on Anabaptist values. An in person conference was held by this project at Woodbrooke, Birmingham, in September 2023, a time which enabled resourcing and connections and was much appreciated by everyone involved. Our fourth project, the Anabaptist Theology Forum, continued to offer opportunities for academics and practitioners to meet and to encourage each other in the exploration of their Anabaptist faith. In 2023 it facilitated a mixture of online and in person events, with another residential conference held in September. As well as presentations and discussion, this enabled many informal connections and conversations. Some of the papers either have appeared already or will be included in Anabaptism Today, the online journal connected with AMN. The trustees again met in person last summer, in London, whilst our longer November meeting, along with our two shorter ones, were online. We noted the value of meeting in person and hope to resume this twice a year in future. During the year, one trustee, Joshua Searle, resigned, due to relocating to Germany, but we were able to welcome Carol Wert as a new trustee, thus maintaining the diversity of trustee expertise and improving our gender balance. Looking forward to 2024, I anticipate that these varied projects will be able to develop further, each in their own context, based on their shared values, supported and facilitated by the trustees and our operations manager. ## Support to partners We continued to give support to some long term partners; - Alexandra Ellish (via Urban Expression) who is part of the growing work of Incarnate; - Housing support for the Older family as they continue their valuable community work in Brighton; - Funding for three students as they continue their PhD studies; - And finally, being very aware of the continuing hardships in Ukraine, we again gave donations to Dnipro Hope Mission for their work with Mennonite churches there. 1 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## Objectives and Activities We believe that the Anabaptist-Mennonite story offers a fresh and inspiring perspective to our contemporary society and has potential to inspire people to make new connections with the life of Jesus and his followers. The Anabaptist Mennonite Network exists to energise people in their search for truth and wholeness and equip them to live distinctively through the core Mennonite commitments to justice, peace-making, reconciliation and nonviolence. The main purpose of the network is to promote and embody an understanding of the Christian faith from a Mennonite or Anabaptist perspective in the UK and Ireland, and to resource people and organisations who are pursuing similar goals. It does so primarily by: - providing a welcome to enquirers through the offering of hospitality and support, and enabling access to Christian resources, either through informal study or assistance with formal qualifications. - offering logistical and financial support to other like-minded projects and organisations. - maintaining traditional relationships with international Mennonite and Anabaptist networks, and seeking relationships with new partners working for similar objectives. The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. A summary of these activities follows. A portfolio of residential properties is managed and maintained, either being used directly to house people embarking upon local support projects or let out at commercial rates to generate funds to be used for the objectives of the charity. Four internal projects are managed, each manifesting Anabaptist values in different ways and in different contexts. These are detailed in the following section. A network of volunteer regional representatives is facilitated in order to ensure personal contact can always be offered to individuals connecting with the organisation, and those already exploring the Anabaptist tradition. The AMN continues to support the development of the Centre for Anabaptist Studies at Bristol Baptist College, and the maintenance of an Anabaptist library there. This is open for anyone who wishes to participate in relevant study and reading, either through personal use of library, or participation in formal learning, for which the charity provides some bursary support. Grants and funding are provided, where possible, to individuals and organisations who apply for them. As trustees, we consider each application on its own merits. 2 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## Achievements and Performance Juliet prepared an online Annual Report for Peaceful Borders that, amongst other things, outlines eighteen impacts that the project had in 2023. Here follows a sample of the entries from that report: ## **Impact #1 52 people registered for Universal Credit** Applying for Universal Credit is complicated even for an experienced English speaker. When these 52 people received Leave to Remain none of their asylum accommodation providers assisted them with this task. We helped them upload their information and get registered quickly. This is imperative as asylum seekers are evicted from asylum accommodation at very short notice and may end up homeless if they have not registered for Universal Credit. ## **Impact #2 48 people accessed housing or homeless prevention teams** Given only short notice to leave accommodation once granted Leave to Remain, it is almost impossible to find follow-on accommodation. We helped 50 people into accommodation or access Homeless Prevention Teams. 70% of these people were aged 18-25. _I had no idea what to do when I was given 7 days’ notice to leave the hotel. I was on the streets. Now I have somewhere safe to build my life. Isa, Southend_ ## **Impact #4 44 people registered for education or training** Asylum seekers and refugees want to learn or improve their English as soon as possible, but navigating online enrolment can be difficult when your English is low and you don’t know how the UK system works. It is a joy to see how delighted people are when they finally have a place in class and to celebrate with them when they pass their exams. ## **Impact #5 264 people given Eid food parcels or vouchers** Cultural celebrations are important for everyone. But when you don’t have facilities to prepare the traditional food or cannot afford the extra specialities it can make you feel lonely and isolated. Thanks to a grant from Choose Love we were able to help people celebrate with one another. People felt less lonely even though most are still many miles from their loved one. _I have been in the UK for 3 years and this is the first time I have been to an Eid party with my people. I am so happy._ ## **Impact #9 11 families reunited** Whilst our team are not qualified to advise on immigration issues we are able to help people with other things that help their immigration status and application processes, such as the practicalities of filling forms. We have helped 11 families successfully complete their applications for family reunion. The last reunion of 2023 was for a family separated by the war in Sudan- 3 children were reunited with their mother who was already in the UK. 3 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **Impact #13 Calais House** Peaceful Borders continues to support the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais which offers respite and a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable refugees facing illness or pregnancy while displaced. Through a partnership with Mennonite Mission Network the Givens family have been in Calais for nearly 2 years. Joseph & Rachel manage the dayto-day activities of the house and support residents. We provide additional supervision and support for them as they serve in this important way. ## **Impact #16 Writing and Reflecting** In 2023 Peaceful Borders Coordinator Simon Jones wrote a chapter on the Calais house and more widely his experience working with refugees for a book, which he edited, called Jesus and Justice: Stories of Radical Christian Living. It is published by Red Letter Christians UK and available from February 2024. There are other chapters that touch on work with displaced people. In 2023 fellow Coordinator Juliet Kilpin wrote a chapter on Peaceful Borders for The New Anabaptists which was published in January 2024. She also presented a paper for the Truth, Love & Unity consultation organised by the Baptist Unions of Ukraine and Poland and the European Baptist Federation. ## Lynsey writes: Incarnate is a project of the Anabaptist Mennonite Network which seeks to support those who are currently or planning to pioneer new missional communities based on or inspired by the core convictions and common practices of AMN. Barney Barron and Lynsey Heslegrave are employed by AMN as Catalyst/Coaches to facilitate this work. Central to Incarnate is the nurturing of a supportive network of church planters and pioneers. Some of those who have become part of this network have been involved in ministry for a long time, others are just exploring it for the first time. Some are in established ministries and/or communities, while others are currently either on their own or working in a pair, family or small group. Lynsey and Barney have been building connections across the UK and continue to support these individuals and groups. One way of offering coaching support is through in-person visits and conversations via Zoom. In one part of the Southeast of England, Lynsey has brought together three pioneering groups to eat and share with each other. This has now evolved into a WhatsApp group for mutual support with plans to meet again early in 2024 and to invite other who are nearby. As well as this, Lynsey and Barney have hosted several online gatherings. One session was a follow up to a 2022 online gathering about being a non-anxious presence. Another session was focussed on the place of power in local ministry and pioneering contexts. 4 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** In September 2023, Incarnate hosted a weekend conference at the Woodbrooke Centre in Birmingham aimed at pioneers, church planters and church leaders, which explored how we might be multi-voiced in our approaches to mission and ministry. Approximately 30 people attended. Speakers helped us to think about diversity in a number of ways, looking at how we listen well to those who might be marginalised in churches and communities, for example due to social and economic factors, culture, ethnicity or age. In the run up to the September conference Barney and Lynsey hosted three guests from the Mosaic Mennonite Conference in the US. Emily and Angela are both local pastors as well as leaders within MMC and Ben, Angela’s husband, is a pastor and community centre chaplain. Barney and Lynsey facilitated visits for Emily, Angela and Ben with a number of those who are part of Incarnate’s network of pioneers, visiting groups and individuals in Walthamstow, Yeovil, Bristol and the Forest of Dean. Emily, Angela and Ben then joined the conference at Woodbrooke, with Emily and Angela both leading and facilitating sessions. One purpose of the visit was to explore a potential relationship between MMC and Incarnate, due to the shared values and the opportunity to learn from the different approaches to Anabaptist theology and practice. MMC brings a perspective grounded in a long historical tradition of Anabaptism and AMN offers a fresh view of interpreting and living Anabaptist principles without being tied to a historic tradition. Barney and Lynsey have also been seeking to build relationships with other networks and organisations with shared Anabaptist values. One of these organisations is the Brethren in Christ Church. In the UK, members of the BiCC are predominantly Zimbabwean but they are looking to plant churches that are more multi-cultural. Incarnate is seeking to also support pioneer and church planters to think about cultural diversity in their communities and projects. Barney and Lynsey have therefore been connecting with Themba Ndlovu, a BiCC pastor and national leader who is looking at the denominations church planting strategy. Themba and several other BiCC pastors attended the Woodbrooke Conference, which was an important time for strengthening ties and learning and worshipping together. Before the conference Lynsey and Barney met with Themba in Birmingham at a church building the BiCC are planning to purchase (the first building BiCC would own in the UK). Themba shared the BiCC’s vision for the building, including how they would like it to be a resource for AMN too. Another opportunity for connection has come as Barney has been developing relationships in Scotland with various individuals, churches and networks with Anabaptist leanings. We are working together to raise awareness and create opportunities for people in Scotland to explore how connection with Incarnate may be helpful and relevant. In particular we are beginning to focus on the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism, but we hope other opportunities and networking will grow out of our developing connections. In November 2023, some of those who have been engaging with Incarnate signed up to the online ‘Encountering the Anabaptists’ course run by Stuart Murray Williams. This course was valued by those who attended and enabled some, who are beginning to journey with Incarnate, to reflect more deeply on the values of AMN and how they might be expressed in the local pioneering context. 5 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## Karen writes: As we stepped into 2023, plans and preparations across Northern Ireland were already in full flow to mark what was to be a significant year in Northern Ireland: the celebration of 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Having grown up in the troubles, I am truly thankful for the peacemakers who sought to pave a better way. However, the current political instability and division still remain, and there is much more work to do in the healing and mending of our communities. The vision of SoulSpace is to seek ways in our divided context to be peacemakers; voices of hope, grace, compassion, peace, and to figure out what it truly means to live as neighbours with the ‘other.’ I confess that this work is extremely difficult and at times very challenging. However, as I look back over 2023 I am thankful to God who continues to be present and faithful, usually showing up in the most unexpected of places and spaces. Our objectives are as follows: - Offer and develop SoulSpace Community Chaplaincy - Lead existing SoulSpace Community (journeying with people who feel they ‘don’t fit’ in church; the spiritual wanderers/refugees) - Promote peace and reconciliation through various projects (including tackling injustice) - Develop partnerships with other peace and reconciliation hubs - Champion Public Theology - Train and support volunteers In 2023, the following opportunities helped us to achieve our objectives/Impact: - Our face-to-face gathering (The Table) met monthly for food, friendship, and reflection. Our gathering exists for people who feel they ‘don’t fit’ in church, and we were encouraged by all who attended. - Our Online SoulSpace Community was set-up in response to a survey conducted which highlighted interest in having a space for those who are unable to meet face-face. We currently have over 300 people, and I am thankful to our team of six contributors who keep the online space active. We hosted the ‘Virtual Table,’ and were encouraged by the response to our online Lent programme, as well as reading/discussing together the book: The Naked Anabaptist. - One of the highlights of 2023, was the invitation in August to attend and read a Blessing at the launch of an outdoor Art Exhibition in Belfast, titled: ‘It is Different for Mothers’ – highlighting the unique experience of mothers who lost children during the conflict. I was humbled to be there, and to hear the moving stories of loss and grief shared. Their stories impacted me deeply. - Invitation to take part in a mentoring programme for girls from Protestant/Catholic schools, as well as ongoing mentoring with US Mennonites: Journey Programme. We were also invited to share about SoulSpace / peace and reconciliation to MA students at Queens University. - We had the opportunity to be part of a team that set-up a weekly twitter 6 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** space called ‘Hear Her Voice’ – providing an opportunity for women to come together each Wednesday evening to discuss topics such as: cost of living, misogyny, peace-making, leadership, workplace struggles, mental health, etc. It was an honour to be part of this team, working alongside amazing women from different communities across NI. Each week a few hundred women would gather online. We formed great friendships, and will continue to work together. - SoulSpace is represented on the NI Interfaith Forum, and met monthly throughout 2023. We have contributed to various peace and reconciliation conferences in partnership with other organisations, as well other initiatives championing inter-faith work. - I’m thankful for team – especially to Erin and Alisha who have worked tirelessly, particularly concerning our face-to-face and online gatherings. ## Fran writes: The Anabaptist Theology Forum (ATF) is a gathering of people who have an interest in theological reflection on Anabaptism and, as those who find in Anabaptism a place of belonging, on theological themes more broadly. Involving historical perspectives, contemporary concerns, biblical content, and matters of practice, we explore theology together, whether having formal theological backgrounds or not! While we aim to think deeply, we also aim that we do so accessibly. A number of past contributions are available through the Theology Forum section of the AMN website, which means people can check out if getting involved might be for them, and then sign up to hear about future events. The ATF began as an in-person gathering, over two days, once or twice a year. The Covid pandemic saw the move to online gatherings for individual sessions. This enabled more people to participate and grow the ATF network. In 2022 we returned to meeting in person but also kept up our online presence, continuing that pattern into 2023. In the first half of the year, we met online for a session led by Gideon Diego on ‘Africa and the Anabaptist Identity’ and how, with the steady rise of Anabaptism in the African continent, three themes of Anabaptism are finding particular resonance there: the serious stance regarding matters of faith; the importance placed on community; and an acute awareness of power and its impact on society. Our in-person residential was held over two days in September. Twenty-two people gathered at the Woodbrooke Quaker Learning Centre in Birmingham, this being one of their last residential events before the Centre was closing this aspect of its work (and our thanks to our friends at Woodbrooke for being such great hosts these past two years as we have started to meet in person again). We started our time together with a conversation with Paul Lusk and Andrew Bolton on their respective After Christendom works on Democracy and the Sermon on the Mount. Two more sessions continued discussions from the 2022 residential, with John Heathershaw on ‘Theological Responses to War’, particularly in the light of the situation in Ukraine, and Lloyd Pietersen and Fran Porter reflecting on the text The Politics of Jesus in the light of its author’s abuses. Two further sessions reflected on Anabaptist engagement with Catholic and Anglican traditions, with Carol Wert bringing us ‘A Different Way of Being Anabaptists: Making Peace with Our Medieval Catholic Spirituality’, and David Porter, ‘Faith in Conflict; Anabaptist Reflections on Leadership, Discernment and Decision-Making in the Church of England’. (The papers from John Heathershaw and Carol Wert are now available in Anabaptism Today.) These sessions were interspersed with evening prayer and conversations over meals, with time for making connections, and sharing ideas, information and stories. In November, we again encouraged ATF participants to join online for the Centre for Anabaptist Studies Annual 7 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** Lecture held at Bristol Baptist College, where this year Fran Porter’s lecture was entitled, ‘Why Women Doing Theology Matters for Everyone: Sexual Violence, Tainted Legacies, and the Integrity of Anabaptist Theology’ (which is being published in a 2024 edition of Anabaptism Today.) We look forward to 2024 when, along with some online events, we will be joined at our residential (at High Leigh in Hertfordshire) by Nelson and Ellen Kraybill. This journal, usually published twice a year, is devoted to the investigation of contemporary issues from an Anabaptist perspective. As anticipated in last year’s report, Lloyd Pietersen was able to resume editorial duties and two issues were published. One in April 2023 and the second in January 2024. The second volume was delayed due to the ill health of the editor but we anticipate the two volumes for 2024 being published in a timely manner. ## **Edition 5.1 included the following articles:** - Melchior Rinck, the Diabolical Practice of Infant baptism, and Non-Heroic Anabaptism - “Putin has cured me of my pacifism” - A Theological Reflection on the Notion of Convictions and Reflecting on Convictions as the Task of Theology - Reflections on Practice: SoulSpace Bristol - and a number of book reviews ## **Edition 5.2 included the following articles:** - Theological Responses to the War against Ukraine - An Anabaptist Exploration of Lectio Divina - An Anabaptized Bebbington Quadrilateral - Clothing the Naked Anabaptist - Celebrating 500 Years of the Anabaptist Movement, 1525-2025 (Part 3) - and a number of book reviews 8 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## Financial Review The fund balance, excluding Revaluation Reserve, on 31 December 2023 is £3,197,304. This represents a decrease of £31,231 on the position at 31 January 2023. Almost all of this movement was the reduction in Restricted Funds as lower levels of external funding for some of the projects meant that they used prior reserves. General Funds remained largely unchanged in the year, despite increases in grant-making activity. The organisation continues on a very stable financial footing. Investment income significantly increased as the additional property added to the portfolio towards the end of the year had a full period of returns. There continues to be some associated increases in property costs as we continue to catch up on maintenance and improvements delayed by the pandemic. Void periods within the property portfolio continue to be minimal, despite the challenging economic environment. Rental demand remains high in the areas selected for investment, and the AMN continues to adhere to high standards as a fair and equitable landlord, often leading to longer term tenancies in non-student properties. The policy of the AMN is to retain sufficient reserves (not including Restricted or Designated Funds) to cover six months of rental income from a high earning property. This is sufficient to cover any periods of time where the portfolio is being reconfigured. The plan to sell one property in 2023 was delayed, but is expected to occur in 2024. The proceeds, together with Designated funds, will be used to invest in a larger house and further improve the levels of investment income obtained from the portfolio. ## Structure, Governance and Management The charity was established by the trustees of the London Mennonite Trust (registered charity 227410) on 28th November 2017 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and constituted on the Foundation Model. Its purpose was to allow the unincorporated charity to continue its operations within an incorporated legal entity. Originally named ‘The Mennonite Trust’, the name of the CIO was subsequently changed to ‘The Anabaptist Mennonite Network’. Trustees are recruited from members of organisations or churches sympathetic to Anabaptist understandings of the Christian faith. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees. The trustees have reviewed, and will continue to review, the range of skills they bring to the charity to ensure it is appropriate in accordance with good corporate governance. The trustees met formally four times during 2023, as well as communicating extensively by email between meetings. Other working groups of trustees and staff, which meet as required, have been established to advise the trustees or to work on specific activities as directed by the trustees. The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the organisation is exposed, and are satisfied that systems appropriate to the scale and type of organization are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The trustees have given continued close attention to the long term and short term strategy for the operations. ## Going concern The trustees consider the organisation to be a going concern. ## Key risks and uncertainties The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks. 9 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## Responsibilities of trustees under charity law The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 5. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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. ## Approval This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: Linda Wilson (Chair of Trustees) Date: 6 July 2024 10 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 12 to 21 and have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 14 to 15. ## Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity’s trustees 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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. Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Date: 25 July 2024 11 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |||**2023**|||2022| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|||| |**Notes**|**Funds**|**Funds**|**Total**
**£**
**44,185**
**-**
**190,896**
**-**||Total| ||**£**|**£**|||£| |**Income**|||||| ||||||| |Donations and legacies
3|**2,759**|**41,426**|||92,633| ||||||| |Charitable activities
4|**-**|**-**|||3,137| ||||||| |Investments
5|**190,896**|**-**|||142,690| ||||||| |Profit on disposal of fixed assets|**-**||||-| ||||||| |Total income|**193,655**|**41,426**|**235,081**
**80,830**
**185,482**||238,460| ||||||| ||||||| |**Expenditure**|||||| ||||||| |Raising Funds
6|**80,830**|**-**|||55,327| ||||||| |Charitable activities
7|**113,287**|**72,195**|||183,163| ||||||| |Total expenditure|**194,117**|**72,195**|**266,312**||238,490| ||||||| |Net income / (expense)|**(462)**|**(30,769)**|**(31,231)**||(30)| ||||**-**||| |Transfers between funds
13|**-**|**-**|||-| ||||||| |**Other recognised gains**|||||| |Gains on revaluation of investments|**50,000**|**-**|**50,000**||423,576| ||||||| |Net movement in funds|**49,538**|**(30,769)**|**18,769**||423,546| ||||**3,652,111**
**3,670,880**||| |Total funds brought forward|**3,566,992**|**85,119**|||3,228,565| ||||||| |Total funds carried forward
13|**3,616,530**|**54,350**|||3,652,111| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations . 12 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## _**AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ ||**2023**
2022
**£**
**£**
£
£
**3,398,756**
3,348,756
**11,516**
4,571
**300,683**
317,971|**2023**
2022
**£**
**£**
£
£
**3,398,756**
3,348,756
**11,516**
4,571
**300,683**
317,971|**2023**
2022
**£**
**£**
£
£
**3,398,756**
3,348,756
**11,516**
4,571
**300,683**
317,971| |---|---|---|---| |**Notes**|**£**||£| |**Fixed Assets**|||| |Investments
10|||3,348,756| ||||| |**Current Assets**|||| |Debtors
11|**11,516**||| |Cash at bank and in hand|**300,683**||| ||**312,199**|322,542
19,187
**272,124**|| ||||| |**Current Liabilities**|||| |Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
12|**40,075**||| ||||| ||||| |Net current assets|||303,355| ||||| |**Net Assets**||**3,670,880**|3,652,111| |||**2,941,029**
**201,925**
**473,576**|| ||||| |**Fund Balances**
13|||| |Unrestricted funds|||| |General funds|||2,939,526| |Designated funds|||203,890| |Revaluation reserve|||423,576| |||**3,616,530**
**54,350**|3,566,992| ||||| |Restricted funds|||85,119| ||||| |||**3,670,880**|3,652,111| The accounts were approved by the trustees on 6 July 2024 and were signed on their behalf by: ## 25 / 07 / 2024 Linda Wilson (Chair) The notes on page 13-21 form part of these accounts. 13 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ ## **1 Statutory Information** The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page. ## **2 Accounting Policies** These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102. The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'. The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. ## **a) Going concern** The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. ## **b) Income** Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period. Investment income represents income generated by the charity's assets and includes income from letting the charity's property and bank interest. Other income comprises gains arising from the disposal of investment assets. ## **c) Expenditure** Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity. 14 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ Expenditure on raising funds comprises the costs incurred on managing and maintaining the investment properties. Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity. ## **d) Fund accounting** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. ## **e) Investments** Fixed asset investments are held to generate income and for their investment potential. Current asset investments are investments that are held specifically for sale or are investments that the charity expects to sell by the next balance sheet date. Fixed asset investment properties are stated at fair value. Recently purchased properties are stated at cost, after which local estate agents are consulted for advice on current market value. ## **f) Pensions** The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. ## **g) Taxation** The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income. ## **h) Financial instruments** The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years). ## **i) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement** The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement. 15 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**3**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations and gifts
Gift Aid
Grants received
Other|**Unrestricted**|
**Restricted**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**3,123**
**176**
**40,752**
**134**|Total| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|
**Funds**||2022| ||**£**|
**£**||£| |||||| ||**2,449**|
**674**||10,893| ||**176**|
**-**||190| ||**-**|
**40,752**||79,451| ||**134**|
**-**||2,099| ||**2,759**|**41,426**|**44,185**|92,633| |A full analysis of restricted income is given in note 13.
No government grants were received.
**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
Event income
**-**
**5**
**Investment income**
Interest income
**7,403**
Rental income
**183,493**|||**-**
**7,403**
**183,493**|| |||||| |||||| ||**-**|**-**||3,137| |||||| |||||| |||||| ||**7,403**|**-**||2,805| ||**183,493**|**-**||139,885| |**6**
**Expenditure on raising funds**
Property Professional Fees
Property Repairs/Renewals
Property Tax & Insurance
Property Utilities|**190,896**|**-**|**190,896**
**51,678**
**23,938**
**3,250**
**1,964**|142,690| |||||| |||||| |||||| ||**51,678**|**-**||33,714| ||**23,938**|**-**||17,019| ||**3,250**|**-**||2,536| ||**1,964**|**-**||2,058| ||**80,830**|**-**|**80,830**|55,327| 16 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**7**
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
Staff costs (note 8)
Grant making (note 9)
Staff Travel & Subsistence
Additional staff & support
Trustee Travel & Subsistence|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**88,351**
**41,715**
**7,471**
**27,921**
**1,424**|Total| |---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**
**Funds**||2022| ||**£**
**£**||£| ||||| ||**60,226**
**28,125**||91,329| ||**31,622**
**10,093**||19,385| ||**4,550**
**2,921**||10,976| ||**7,041**
**20,880**||32,980| ||**1,424**
**-**||2,549| |General Admin & Subs|**2,382**
**-**|**2,382**|2,332| |Event costs|**2,394**
**500**|**2,894**|11,180| |Direct assistance|**-**
**9,147**|**9,147**|8,624| |Bank interest & charges
Legal & professional fees
Stationary & office costs
Insurance|**660**
**-**|**660**
**1,560**
**871**
**1,086**|739| ||**1,560**
**-**||1,539| ||**342**
**529**||678| ||**1,086**
**-**||852| ||**113,287 **
**72,195**|**185,482 **|183,163| £1,560 was paid for the examination of the Accounts (Prior year: £1,500). |**8**
**Staff costs**
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs|**56,623**
**27,001**
**83,624**
86,682
**151**
**-**
**151**
-
**3,452**
**1,124**
**4,576**
4,647| |---|---| ||**60,226**
**28,125**
**88,351**
91,329| The average monthly number of employees during the year was 6 (Prior year: 6). No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000. Pension costs are paid to an externally run Defined Contribution scheme (NEST). 17 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**9**
**Grantmaking**
Ukraine churches
Urban Expression
Anvil Trust
Films
Mennonite Library
Study Bursaries|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**3,000**
**18,250**
**-**
**1,000**
**187**
**17,778**|Total| |---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**
**Funds**||2022| ||**£**
**£**||£| ||||| ||**3,000**
**-**||3,400| ||**18,250**
**-**||3,250| ||**-**
**-**||3,500| ||**1,000**
**-**||1,987| ||**187**
**-**||500| ||**7,685**
**10,093**||5,748| |Others|**1,500**
**-**|**1,500**|1,000| ||**31,622**
**10,093**|**41,715**|19,385| ## **Material Grants to institutions** - SoulSpace – a cross-community peace building and church planting initiative in Belfast which is aligning itself with Anabaptist values. - Ukraine churches – funds given to Dnipro Hope Mission to support Mennonite churches in Ukraine and their response to the humanitarian crisis there. - Urban Expression – an organisation supporting community work and gatherings in marginalised communities, with shared Anabaptist values. ## **Grants to individuals** - Study Bursaries – amounts paid to students undertaking education on courses with recognised Mennonite and Anabaptist content. ## **Acting as agent** During the year the charity received £nil (Prior year: £3,908) on behalf of SoulSpace Bristol. This income is received as agent for this charity and the income is excluded from the Statement of Financial Activities. At the year-end £2,359 (Prior year: £3,479) had not been distributed and is recognised as a creditor. 18 **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**10**
**Investment Assets - Properties**
**Valuation**
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Gains on revaluation
Disposals|**10**
**Investment Assets - Properties**
**Valuation**
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Gains on revaluation
Disposals|**10**
**Investment Assets - Properties**
**Valuation**
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Gains on revaluation
Disposals||**Land and**| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||**Buildings**| |||||**£**| |||||| |||||3,348,756| |||||-| |||||50,000| |Disposals||||-| |**At 31 December 2023**||||**3,398,756**| |||||| |**Depreciation**||||| |At 1 January 2023 and At 31 December 2023||||-| |||||| |||||| |**At 31 December 2023**||||**3,398,756**| |||||| |||||3,348,756| These investments consist of 6 (Prior year: 6) residential properties which are rented to provide income or used to provide short-term housing for charity projects. There are no restrictions on realising the investments or receiving income and disposal proceeds. ||**2023**
**£**
**3,508**
**8,008**|2022
£
1,400
3,171| |---|---|---| |**11**
**Debtors and Prepayments**||| |||| |Trade Debtors||| |Prepayments and accrued income||| ||**11,516**
**24,285**
**2,834**
**1,630**
**11,326**|4,571
-
4,005
2,379
12,803
19,187| |||| |**12**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||| |||| |Grant commitments||| |Other Creditors||| |Taxation and social security||| |Accruals and deferred income||| ||**40,075**|| Some grant commitments may fall due after one year, depending on the development of projects or the personal progress of study bursary recipients. 19 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**Balance at**
**Balance at**
**31 Dec**
**2022**
**Income**
**Expense**
**Transfers**
**Gains**
**31 Dec**
**2023**|**Balance at**
**Balance at**
**31 Dec**
**2022**
**Income**
**Expense**
**Transfers**
**Gains**
**31 Dec**
**2023**|**Balance at**
**Balance at**
**31 Dec**
**2022**
**Income**
**Expense**
**Transfers**
**Gains**
**31 Dec**
**2023**| |---|---|---| |**13**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**||| |||| |During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:||| |||| |_Designated Funds_||| ||Property purchases|130,000
-
-
-
-
**130,000**| ||Mission Housing|50,000
7,000
-
-
-
**57,000**| ||Grants and bursaries|15,465
15,000
(30,465)
-
-
**-**| ||Peace-making initiatives|6,925
-
-
-
-
**6,925**| ||Other|1,500
9,000
(2,500)
-
-
**8,000**| |||203,890
31,000
(32,965)
-
-
**201,925**| |||| |Revaluation reserve||423,576
-
-
-
50,000
**473,576**| |General Unrestricted||2,939,526
162,655
(161,152)
-
-
**2,941,029**| |||| |TotalUnrestrictedFunds||3,566,992
193,655
(194,117)
-
50,000
**3,616,530**| |||| |_Restricted Funds_||| ||Alan Kreider Legacy
Witness Project
Peaceful Borders
Hopetowns
South African Bursaries
Incarnate
Soulspace|4,530
-
(4,530)
-
-
**-**| |||36,967
20,000
(36,353)
-
-
**20,614**| |||18,096
4,354
(13,752)
-
-
**8,698**| |||4,967
6,500
(11,467)
-
-
**-**| |||8,309
-
(5,563)
-
-
**2,746**| |||98
320
-
-
-
**418**| |||12,152
10,252
(530)
-
-
**21,874**| |||85,119
41,426
(72,195)
-
-
**54,350**| |||| |Aggregate of funds||3,652,111
235,081
(266,312)
-
50,000
**3,670,880**| ## **Analysis of net assets by fund** |**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|**Analysis of net assets by fund**|||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||**Unrestricted Funds**||||||| ||||**General**
**Designated**|**Revaluation**||**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
57,522
(3,172)|||**Total**| ||||**£**
**£**|**£**|||||**£**| ||||||||||| |||Investment properties|2,925,180
-|473,576|||||**3,398,756**| |||Debtors|11,516
-|-|||||**11,516**| |||Cash at bank|41,236
201,925|-|||||**300,683**| |||Creditors: within one year|(36,903)
-|-|||||**(40,075)**| ||||||||||| ||||2,941,029
201,925|473,576||54,350|||**3,670,880**| 20 ## **THE ANABAPTIST MENNONITE NETWORK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ ## **Designated Fund Notes** Future property purchases – amount set aside for future additions to the investment portfolio, to be spent when a suitable property is identified. If insufficient funds exist, then this will only occur when an existing property is sold to increase the amount available for investment. Mission Housing investment – a specific investment identified for actioning in 2023 (now delayed to 2024). Grants and bursaries – multi-year awards that the AMN has indicated will be paid over the next few years. Peace-making initiatives – set aside for use on projects whose main activity is peace-making. ## **Restricted Fund Notes** Alan Kreider Legacy Fund – following the death of Alan Kreider in 2017, a fund bearing his name was established to support study in specified fields and international exchange visits. Witness Project – a project, launched with Humans for Rights Network, with the aim of collecting stories and evidence from refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. It now focusses on bearing witness to the plights of those people and offering practical assistance. Peaceful Borders – a project that supports refugees and asylum seekers on entry into the UK. Hopetowns – a project, linked to Peaceful Borders, that hosts regular social and learning gatherings in London for refugees and asylum seekers. South African Bursaries – operating alongside the Alan Kreider Legacy Fund (above) to provide study bursaries for Anabaptist-related studies, this fund exists to encourage Mennonites from South Africa to undertake UK-based courses. SoulSpace – having made unrestricted grants to this organisation previously (see note 9), this project has now been moved within the charity and restricted funds accepted for its operation. ## **15 Transactions with trustees and related parties** None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with this charity or a related entity. The charity engaged the services of Atkinson Roe Architects to provide consultancy and management services in relation to the property portfolio. Helen Roe, a trustee, undertook this work and received a total of £24,900 (Prior period: £21,045) in fees. This arrangement is governed by a service agreement that stipulates normal commercial terms and was agreed by all trustees prior to the engagement. Payment is based on detailed itemised invoices which the trustees must approve before submission. There were no amounts outstanding at the period end. Trustee expenses are included in note 7. The number of trustees reimbursed for expenses was 3 (Prior period: 6). 21 ## **Signature Certificate** Reference number: 4GAKV-RZN5A-GEDS2-UVQTU **Signer Timestamp** ## **Signature** ## **Linda Wilson** Email: linda.wilson@blueyonder.co.uk Sent: 25 Jul 2024 12:30:15 UTC Viewed: 25 Jul 2024 12:36:54 UTC Signed: 25 Jul 2024 12:37:24 UTC ## **Recipient Verification:** ✔ Email verified 25 Jul 2024 12:36:54 UTC IP address: 82.40.47.245 Location: Bristol, United Kingdom ## **Sarah Crispin** Email: sarah.crispin@stewardship.org.uk Sent: Viewed: Signed: ## **Recipient Verification:** ✔ Email verified 25 Jul 2024 12:30:15 UTC 25 Jul 2024 13:13:16 UTC 25 Jul 2024 13:14:06 UTC 25 Jul 2024 13:13:16 UTC IP address: 77.89.134.66 Location: Islington, United Kingdom Document completed by all parties on: 25 Jul 2024 13:14:06 UTC Page 1 of 1 ## **Signed with PandaDoc** PandaDoc is a document workflow and certified eSignature solution trusted by 50,000+ companies worldwide.