2020 Trustees Report
Charity Name: FAITH LIFE CHURCH – GRANTHAM
Charity number: 1176246
Primary address: 41 Castlegate Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 6SS
Trustees for the year ending 31 December 2020:
Lee Gallaher [Chair] Lydia Gallaher Susan Chappell Jenny James Jon Lowe Mark Walmsley
Purpose:
The Purpose of Faith Life Church – Grantham, for the public benefit, is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith, in such ways as the Charity Trustees may decide.
Aims & Objectives:
We want to help our existing members to know God better and also equip them to help others to enjoy a life-transforming relationship with God.
We believe that God is a good God and that we can be like him in our thoughts, words and actions.
Covid Pandemic:
On account of the Global Pandemic and the Government restrictions placed on places of worship, many of our regular ‘outreach’ activities were curtailed or changed in 2020.
Church Services:
Throughout 2020 we held regular, weekly services. Wherever possible, in line with government guidelines and thorough risk assessment for our setting, we met in the church building that we rent. Obviously, for large periods this year, we were not able to have physical gatherings so we live-streamed our weekly church service using YouTube. When physical gathering was allowed our worship services were held every week on Saturday morning, 10.30am - 1pm, at Grantham Christian Fellowship, on Belton Avenue, in Grantham.
We normally provide drinks and biscuits before and after the service, free of charge. This year we moved all our refreshments to pre-packaged supplies and disposable cups.
There is a dedicated children’s church called ‘Superkids’ for children up to 14 years of age.
We also had to adapt the way we run our midweek ‘Lifegroups’ on Thursday evenings. These also transferred to online platforms. Initially using Google Meet and later we transferred to using Zoom, for which we purchased an annual subscription.
This year we found our church WhatsApp social media group to be an invaluable tool, to help the church family stay connected and informed, and also as a great forum for mutual encouragement.
Children’s Events:
Our regular Easter and Christmas ‘Superkids’ parties were cancelled this year.
Family Events:
Family Film Nights, Autumn Family Feast and Christmas events were also cancelled.
Serving the Community:
Dysart Park:
The outdoor events at the park that we would normally have been involved with were also cancelled.
Schools Work:
Our pastor does worship for one of the schools in town. This year saw a change from physically visiting the school to providing video recorded messages. Weekly visits to support the student-led Christian Union in the King’s School were also cancelled.
Chaplaincy:
Chaplaincy suffered during 2020 with large portions of the year reduced to ‘essential’ personnel only inside the police stations. This meant that our local police force stopped visits from volunteer chaplains but retained support from salaried chaplains.
Radio:
Every week we provide two hours of programming for our local community radio station. The show, called ‘The SOS,’ showcases the latest in Contemporary Christian Music and every week we provide an opportunity for people to give their lives to Christ with a prayer for salvation. This broadcast was also affected for approximately 3 months during 2020.
Sowing:
Covid Emergency Assistance:
During the Pandemic we were able to financially help a couple of households that we became aware of, in the community, whose income had dropped drastically due to Covid restrictions.
Overseas Support:
In 2020 Faith Life Church continued its support for Brighter Futures International Trust [Registered Charity in England and Wales No.1110823] to support them financially in their
work helping those affected by poverty, disease, disability and prejudice in the Vizianagaram District of India. We raised £1000 through offerings.
Local Support:
In 2020 Faith Life Church continued its support for Lightspace [Registered Charity in England and Wales No.516836]. Lightspace is an independent ecumenical charity working in many of the primary schools in Grantham providing the children an opportunity to hear about the Christian faith in an approachable and age appropriate way. We raised [?] through offerings.
Faith Life Church Grantham
Financial Activities
January - December 2020
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| BFI One-Off Offering | 54.10 |
| Gift Aid Income 2020 | 5,020.52 |
| Tithes & Offerings | |
| Tithes & Offerings 2020 | 35,648.62 |
| Total Tithes & Offerings | 35,648.62 |
| Total Income | £40,723.24 |
| TOTAL | £40,723.24 |
| Expenditures | |
| 001 RUNNING COST 2020 | |
| Accounting/ Banking 2020 | 609.83 |
| Equipment 2020 | 118.12 |
| Hospitality 2020 | 50.81 |
| Other Hospitality 2020 | 418.81 |
| Refreshments Church Meetings | 420.31 |
| Total Hospitality 2020 | 889.93 |
| Insurance 2020 | 247.62 |
| Media/Web 2020 | 479.76 |
| Office Expenditures 2020 | 126.73 |
| Rent 2020 | 4,020.00 |
| Storage 2020 | 902.52 |
| Total 001 RUNNING COST 2020 | 7,394.51 |
| 002 OUTREACH COSTS 2020 | |
| FLC Events 2020 | 475.20 |
| Autumn Family Feast 2020 | 68.82 |
| Film Night 2020 | 90.07 |
| Kids Easter/ Christmas 2020 | 60.76 |
| Total FLC Events 2020 | 694.85 |
| Youth Work 2020 | 9.62 |
| Total 002 OUTREACH COSTS 2020 | 704.47 |
| 003 DISCIPLESHIP 2020 | |
| Adult Training & Resources 2020 | 20.46 |
| Conferencing 2020 | |
| Grace & Faith 2020 Inter Bank Transfer | 120.00 |
| Total Conferencing 2020 | 120.00 |
| FLKids Training & Resources 2020 | 1,924.80 |
| Total 003 DISCIPLESHIP 2020 | 2,065.26 |
| 004 LEADERSHIP COSTS 2019 | |
| Training & Resources | 390.30 |
| Total 004 LEADERSHIP COSTS 2019 | 390.30 |
| 004 LEADERSHIP COSTS 2020 | |
| Accidental Purchase 2020 | 59.99 |
| Pastoral Support 2020 | 3,839.80 |
| Senior Leader Retainer 2020 | 4,920.00 |
Accrual Basis Monday, 1 November 2021 11:37 am GMT+00:00
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| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Training & Resources 2020 | 127.68 |
| Total 004 LEADERSHIP COSTS 2020 | 8,947.47 |
| 005 SOWING 2020 | |
| Ministry Gifts Given 2020 | 26.99 |
| BFI 2020 | 1,640.00 |
| Church Sowing 2020 | 3,307.26 |
| Lightspace 2020 | 1,100.00 |
| Support Gifts 2020 | 350.00 |
| Total Ministry Gifts Given 2020 | 6,424.25 |
| Total 005 SOWING 2020 | 6,424.25 |
| Total Expenditures | £25,926.26 |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | £14,796.98 |
| Other Income | |
| Accidental Purchase Refund 2020 | 59.99 |
| Grace & Faith Income | 180.00 |
| Hospitality Contributions | 111.36 |
| Total Other Income | £351.35 |
| NET OTHER INCOME | £351.35 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | £15,148.33 |
Accrual Basis Monday, 1 November 2021 11:37 am GMT+00:00
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Faith Life Church
Registered Charity no: 1176246
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Faith Life Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2020.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 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.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
- the accounts do not accord with those 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.
Signed:
Name: Mrs Nicola L Whittaker
Date: 15[th] September 2021