Trustees Annual Report for the year ended
31 December 2023
Registered Charity Number 1176219
Principal office:
1A Llanthony Road, Gloucester, GL2 5QX
Trustees for this period
Peter Taylor, Kieran Douglass, John Cordingley, Catherine Ashworth, Rob Kingston, Pat Prosser, Will Lee, Stacey Ainslie
Current Trustees
John Cordingley, Rob Kingston, Pat Prosser, Peter Taylor, Kieran Douglass, Catherine Ashworth, Will Lee, Stacey Ainslie
1. Structure, Governance & Management
Mariners Gloucester (‘MG’) was registered as a CIO (see below) by the Charity Commission on 11 December 2017. Its constitution provides that trustees are elected for no more than 3-year terms. MG became a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) with effect from 6 April 2018. No policy has been adopted for the induction and training of trustees, but as a matter of procedure new trustees are sent a copy of the Charity Commission’s document “The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do” and they are asked to read it.. Short training sessions are run during most Trustee Meetings evaluating our governance performance.
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2. Objectives and Activities
The principal object of MG is the advancement of the Christian faith in the City of Gloucester according to the doctrine of the Church of England as defined in Canon A5 of the canons of the Church of England.
In seeking to achieve this object, MG engages in a range of activities either on its own or with others, including:
( a ) the celebration of public worship. Sunday morning celebrations have been held in Mariners Chapel throughout 2023. In February, an 8-week sermon series explored the Mariners values with a mix of speakers from Mariners and from outside. Shine Sundays continued on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year when members of the congregation go out into the surrounding area, a growing sense of the need to focus on prayer during these times has shaped some of these Sundays. They have also provided fresh ways of worshiping together, such as Palm Sunday when the celebration took part in Mariners Hall with a shared breakfast included. In the final quarter of the year, Sundays with a specific time of extended worship and prayer was introduced.
Easter celebrations began with sunrise worship at the top of Crickley Hill and included engaging in the city-wide ‘Way of the Cross’ drama on Good Friday morning. Christmas celebrations included a candlelit service and carols on Christmas Eve as well as a time of singing carols out in the docks during the Christmas Market.
Mariners continues to be involved in the Burn prayer and worship events held across the city. Mariners hosted a Burn evening in August and congregation members attend the bi-monthly evenings.
( b ) the Teaching of the Christian faith. In January 2023, Mariners began a church-wide 6-week course titled ‘Stepping into the Supernatural’, evenings consisted of worship, watching a video, approximately 15 minutes in length, with the teaching content, discussion groups with questions and a time of prayer.
During the 6-week course, home-based small groups (Life Groups) paused but restarted again in February and have played a central role in teaching and discipleship. Several of these groups have WhatsApp groups to enable their members to keep in touch with one another and to foster a deeper relationship with one another in all of life.
There have been different sermon series throughout 2023 which speakers on a Sunday have shared on. Mariners Values, the Book of Acts and from October 2023 the sermon series ‘The Heart of Prayer and Worship’ explored the heart postures of King David through the Psalms. Sunday talks were consistently Bible-based and applicable to people’s lives. Speakers at Sunday celebrations throughout 2022 were asked to share whatever they felt led to, these talks were consistently Bible-based and applicable to people’s lives.
( c ) mission and evangelism. There have been several specific outreach events in the year; Shine Sunday celebrations, Carols in the docks before Christmas, and the fresher’s fayre for students in September. The Chapel has remained open throughout the week and visitors are able to engage with the Christian faith through posters and literature. During Holy Week there were specific activities for people to engage with, including a prayer tree for people to write and leave prayers.
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Life Groups have been encouraged to consider where they might engage with mission and evangelism. Some groups have sought to invite friends and colleagues to social occasions. The Friday Football group plays every fortnight and includes a testimony time before playing which is shared from someone within the group, there is a substantial number of non-Christians part of this group.
On Halloween, a Light Party was put on for the children of Mariners, as an alternative to Halloween activities and to share the message with the children that Jesus is the light of the world. Activities consisted of carving pumpkins, playing games, making biscuits and praying together. Base Camp met fortnightly in 2023 and provides a space for young people not connected with church to come and engage with the church and learn about faith.
Mini Mariners continued through the year and provides a welcoming place for parents and carers to come with preschoolers on a monthly basis. ‘The Living Room’ continued until the end of winter providing a weekly drop-in warm space where anyone in need could get a hot drink and cake, play games and chat to volunteers.
Sunday Celebrations continue to be times where those on hospitality ministry engage with passers-by and onlookers who are drawn to the building, often resulting in fruitful discussions.
( d ) pastoral work including working with the sick and bereaved. This is shared across the life of the Church by many members of the congregation including the Leadership Team and Life Group leaders.
In the summer of 2023, the funeral of someone that had grown up on the waterways was held at Mariners Chapel. Marriage preparation continues to be provided to couples to support them and provide them with the best foundations for married life.
( e ) the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including ( but not restricted to ) the elderly, the young, and other groups with particular needs. A local ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ (AA) group meets for 1 - 2 hours on a Monday evening in Mariners Hall. This followed a successful trial period in 2022, the group are aware there might be times when Mariners might need the use of the Hall and the AA group agree to re-locate its meeting to the chapel in such situations.
A local Tenor used the Mariners Chapel for an evening of songs in autumn 2023.
( f ) the support of other charities working in the UK and overseas. MG provides financial support for mission work in Malawi, Spain and Israel. Locally, it provides volunteers and financial support to Listening Post, Gloucester City Mission, Street Pastors, Gloucester Foodbank, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), the Diocese of Gloucester, and the Church Society. Mariners continues to support a Church family who are in their second year of overseas mission in Ethiopia. There has been support through giving space in Sunday celebrations to hearing from charities that Mariners support and are engaged with and those who have similar priorities, such as a CAP appeal in the autumn, Teens in Crisis (TIC), and the UCCF Student Relay Worker.
Most of these activities are delivered by one full-time ministry staff member, a part-time administrator, the Leadership Team and a large number of volunteers. In addition, all of this is overseen and supported by an excellent team of trustees.
MG used two buildings for its work in 2022:
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Mariners Hall comprising a small hall, commercial kitchen, ancillary rooms, offices and a three bedroom flat (rented out to young adults connecting with MG).
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Mariners Chapel. A ‘re-ordering’ project has been underway to renovate and modernize this building. So far the work has been in the design, specification, and approval phase. Outline ‘Faculty’ approval from the relevant Anglican Church authorities was given in September 2018 for the installation of a disabled toilet and kitchenette, new flooring, heating and lighting, new seating (replacing the pews) and a general redecoration of the building. We have been seeking grants for this project, and are currently reviewing what is required to start the work.
1. Achievements and Performance
In January 2023 the Church ran a 6-week, church-wide teaching course on living naturally supernatural lives. Roughly 40 people were signed up and met each week to discuss the content, pray together and grow in the supernatural. Also in January, Mariners joined with other local churches to put on a prayer event to begin the year praying for the city, with a focus on the different Christian organisations and charities working locally.
In February 2023, members of the Leadership Team spent 3 days in Harrogate at the New Wine Leadership Conference, this was an impactful time of teaching and worship, space to listen to God and growth for the Leadership Team.
At the end of July 2023, a number of individuals and families from Mariners attended the first week of the ‘New Wine - United’ summer festival at the Kent Event Centre in Maidstone, this was a wonderful time of refreshing and equipping for those attending through worship, teaching, prayer ministry and being together as a church family across all ages.
In September, the men of Mariners spent the weekend together in Dulverton, this was a time of fellowship over the Friday-Sunday and bonding activities. There was times of worship and teaching and a growing sense of togetherness. This followed on from regular men’s ministry times in 2023 of fire pit evenings and a book club.
In October 2023, the Church said goodbye to the Church Administrator Kate Vickers as she stepped down from her position in the office and the Leadership Team, to spend time in New Zealand. The Church underwent a successful recruiting process during November 2023 and appointed Venessa Harper in December 2023 as the new Church Administrator.
The Church’s values; Meeting together regularly, Adore Worshipping the God of immeasurably more, Rooted in Jesus and the Bible, Immersed in prayer, Newcomer friendly, Empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, Radically generous, and Share food together, was a focus of a sermon series towards the beginning of the year.
With a desire to be newcomer friendly and a welcoming place on Sundays, in the autumn, there was a revamp to the refreshments and welcome teams and the launching of the hospitality ministry, this has moved refreshments to the beginning of celebrations which has resulted in a warmer environment for people entering into worship and the presence of God on Sundays.
The 1st aspect of the Mariners vision ‘ Encountering more of God ’ s presence ’ , has been where the Leadership Team has sensed God calling us to spend time pressing into and resulted in the sermon series ‘The Heart of Prayer and Worship’ which began in October 2023 and will
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continue into 2024. It has also resulted in making space for times of extended worship during Sunday celebrations.
- Financial Review
See separate report.
2. Public Benefit Statement
The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
1. Plans for Future Periods
Looking ahead to 2024, there are plans to continue focusing on encountering more of God’s presence as we respond to what we feel God is calling us to as a church. The biggest of these is committing to an entire year of prayer and fasting to cultivate space for God in our everyday lives and grow in our dependency on Him.
2024 is the 175th anniversary of the Mariners Chapel, as such there is a desire to celebrate this moment on the 11th February, as the specific date of Mariners Chapel’s opening and at the Tall Ships Festival in May. This anniversary year fits alongside the sense that God is calling the church to consecrate the entire year to God.
Following the course in January 2023, there was a shared sense that something similar should begin 2024 amidst a desire to engage in something as a whole church. As such a weekly course is planned for the beginning of the year.
Bigger plans are taking place for the church to have a weekend away towards the end of 2024 with the hope that this time will be an opportunity to grow deeper together in faith and have a special time of fellowship. Hill House Christian Centre has been booked for the weekend in November 2024.
The re-ordering project has persisted in attempting to get the lease situation resolved. A sanctuary space has been imagined as a mezzanine above the planned kitchenette and toilets. The plan is for this project to begin moving forward in the year ahead and for the difficulties holding back the project to be resolved so Mariners Chapel can be made into a fit-for-purpose building for an active and lively congregation with a purpose to be a beacon of God’s light and enabling its people to encounter more of God’s presence, grow deeper together in faith and share wider the light of Jesus.
1. Fundraising Practices
This does not apply as we only raise money from our members from regular donations? and receive grants from grant making bodies (for refurbishment work).
Trustees of Mariners CIO. May 2024
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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2023
Statement of Financial Activities y/e 31/12/2023
| Receipts Voluntary Income: Monthly Giving Weekly Celebration Collections Gift Aid Additional Donations Visitor Giving Project Income Re-ordering Project donations Hall Repairs Grant Income from Charitable Activities Ministry (Contributions, fees etc.) Occasional Offices Activities for generating funds Income from properties Fundraising event Investment Income: Interest Other incoming resources: Other income Total Income Resources Payments Staffing costs: Salary (incl Employers NI) Staff Expenses Pension HR & recruitment costs Other Charitable Expenditure Ministry & Outreach Expenses Rent Council tax and water charges Buildings Power & maintenance etc Insurance Support Costs ( IT, AV, Office, Kitchen, etc) Advertising, Printing & Publicity Events Giving to other causes: Mission /Evangelism / Ministry Governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing) resources |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total y/e 31.12.23 Total y/e 31.12.22 Notes 72,064 72,064 70,351 263 263 817 16,221 16,221 16,323 37 37 410 1,209 1,209 893 0 0 0 228 6 143 143 0 167 167 480 9,790 9,790 10,240 0 18 18 0 848 848 33 255 255 143 100,997 18 101,015 99,918 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total y/e 31.12.23 Total y/e 31.12.22 Notes £ £ £ £ 38,655 38,655 36,778 6 74 74 464 7,965 7,965 7,763 346 346 3,468 2,745 2,745 2,913 16,445 16,445 15,960 4,223 4,223 4,619 13,929 13,929 17,915 2,324 2,324 2,256 4,913 4,913 3,753 468 468 358 772 772 191 9,570 9,570 9,198 5 0 0 70 102,428 102,428 105,705 -1,431 18 -1,413 -5,787 |
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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2023 continued
Statement of Funds & Assets
| Funds | Opening Balance | Income | Expenditure | Closing balance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at 01/01/2023 | at 31/12/2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted | 78,674 | 100,997 | 102,428 | 77,243 | |
| Restricted | 10,279 | 18 | 0 | 10,297 | 7 |
| Total Funds | 88,953 | 101,015 | 102,428 | 87,540 | |
| Assets (see Note 10) | Opening balance at 01/01/2023 |
Closing Balance at 31/12/2023 |
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| Bank balances | £ | £ | |||
| Mariners Main Current Account | 9,335 | 7,831 | |||
| Notice Deposit account | 59,306 | 69,306 | |||
| Reserves Account | 20,312 | 10,403 | |||
| Total | 88,953 | 87,540 | |||
| Total Assets | 88,953 | 87,540 |
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the United Kingdom statement of recommended practice, SORP 2015 and the Church of England accounting regulations. The receipts and payments basis for accounting were used in 2023. The principal accounting policies have been applied consistently.
2. LEGAL ENTITY
Mariners Gloucester became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 6th April 2018.
3. FUNDS
(a) Unrestricted Funds– e.g. Main bank account, Reserves These are general funds which can be used for ordinary purposes
(b) Restricted Funds– e.g. Re-ordering Project Account, Grants received for specific purposes.
These are gifts and other receipts raised for specific purpose where the donor has restricted their use.
(c) Designated Funds –These are funds set aside out of general funds for designated purposes.
4. RESERVES POLICY
In setting the level of the reserves the Trustees take account of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. Mariners provides services to the community and the Trustees wish to hold reserves to be able to continue to operate in the event of a reduction in income. The present policy is to have reserves of at least 3 months of operational costs. The Trustees may hold further amounts in reserves as a general contingency or for expected capital expenditure.
Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2023 continued
5. GIVING
Mariners supports local and national organisations which have similar aims and objectives as Mariners Gloucester. The table shows the payments which were made to third parties (charities, mission partners etc.) as part of the church giving.
| Giving to Third Parties | y/e 31/12/2023 | y/e 31.12.2022 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Christians Against Poverty | 800 | 600 |
| Church Society | 250 | 500 |
| Gloucester City Mission | 500 | 500 |
| Gloucester Diocese | 1000 | 750 |
| Gloucester Food Bank | 1260 | 1,500 |
| Gloucester Historic Churches Trust | 250 | 250 |
| Gloucester Street Pastors | 250 | 250 |
| Home for Good | 300 | 633 |
| Vincent Society (CMJ) | 500 | 0 |
| Listening Post | 500 | 500 |
| Pioneers | 2700 | 2,250 |
| Salt Malawi | 960 | 960 |
| Tear Fund | 300 | 505 |
| Total | 9570 | 9,198 |
6. STAFF
Mariners employed 3 (2) people at 01/01/2023 and 3 (3) people at 31/12/2023. The average number of staff during the year corresponded to 1.4 FTE (2022 - 1.1 FTE).
No member of staff received remuneration and benefits exceeding £60,000
7. CHURCH RE-ORDERING PROJECT
| y/e 31/12/2023 | y/e 31/12/2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | 18 | 0 |
| Expenses | 0 | 0 |
| Opening Balance | 10279 | 10279 |
| Closing Balance | 10295 | 10279 |
The reordering project has been held up by uncertainty over the charity's tenancy of the Chapel.
9 ASSETS
In addition to the financial assets listed, Mariners Gloucester has the use of Mariners Chapel and Mariners Hall. The Hall includes a flat which is let and provides rental income. These assets are held in trust by the Church Society as successor to the original trusts set up for the Church in the 19th century.
R D Kingston, Treasurer, Mariners Gloucester CIO Registered Charity 1176219
0B Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the period Set out on pages |
Mariners Gloucester CIO | Mariners Gloucester CIO | Mariners Gloucester CIO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023 | Charity no (if any) |
N/A | |
| 1 to 3 |
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended 31/12/2023 .
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 1B Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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• the accounts did 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.
Date: 24/04/2024
Signed: Name: Mr Stephen Youngs FCCA Relevant professional Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Bibstone House, Bibstone, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 8AD.
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