a m o v em e nt o f f ai t h, ho p e a nd love
3rd August 2021
Objectives and Activities
The purpose of soulcity church is for the public benefit the advancement of the Christian faith in the Stockport, Greater Manchester area, the United Kingdom and the World as the trustees may from time to time decide.
The trustees and spiritual leadership of soulcity church work hard to make the church a place where as many people as possible may come to grow in the Christian Faith. To do this we work to reach people far from God, restore Heaven on Earth and reproduce this movement in others.
Achievements and Performance
Pandemic Services
Like every church in the UK, our services were hit by the Pandemic this year. We adapted to online church and began producing content to support and encourage people. People have needed support practically (support and finances), emotionally (mental health and socialising) and spiritually (feeling of distance from God). This year we have been in a constant state of adaption as we have tried to navigate the balance of bringing people into human contact where safe and keeping social distance at dangerous times.
Our online services allowed people to connect with God in worship through their own technology. We used Zoom for small groups, provided daily Bible Studies and reached people through social media. We have changed the structure of our small groups to provide deeper relationships over a longer period of time and better support people in a volatile and unpredictable period.
As in person services became safe we began to meet with limited numbers and provided care for people who had been struggling in lockdown (for example new mums group).
BLESS Fund
We have wanted to equip the church to support and care for each other and those that live around them. So we started a BLESS fund where people can apply for money and meet a need. This has energised members of the church and helped people who have been in difficulty to find support.
Venue
Last year, there had been growing tensions with our ability to use the Light Cinema. In September we took on a new location in Welkin Mill. This allows us to provide services throughout the week for the local community as well as meet on a Sunday. The location has needed substantial work and is still not yet finished. We are planning to complete the work in time for Kids Ministry to begin in September (depending on government guidelines).
Residencies
This year we launched a residency programme, training church leaders to plant new churches in other locations. Following on from this programme, we have are planning to launch a new church in 2022.
soulcity church
web: mysoulcity.org email: info@mysoulcity.org Registered Charity: 1177699
Evangelism and Mission
Mission happens within our public meetings and outside of them. We invite people in to explore faith and provide opportunities to apply Christian Faith before having a conversion experience. We supplement this invitation approach with Alpha Courses, designed to help people to deepen their understanding of Christianity. Through the use of social media and online services we have reached out to people and have supported people across the UK.
Financial Review
This year has been full of challenges for the church. Giving decreased from £64,550 in 19/20 to £58,435. This appears to be due to the strains of the pandemic on people’s finances.
We received a grant for £26,000 to help the church respond to the Pandemic and this has been vital for the church church to move into our new location and continue to provide essential support to our community.
£62,796.64 was spent to provide the Christian ministry from soulcity church. The three main areas of expenditure were basic salary for the pastor, Ben Jeffery (£23,210.00 ); venue hire at Welkin Mill (£9,990.00); and building work (£12,624.29 ). The expectation is that as the congregation grows that the finances of the church will also expand.
Reserves policy
Our reserves policy was set at £8000 for 2020/2021.
Structure, governance and management
The trustees met monthly throughout the year. Flexibility for adhoc meetings and decisions has been important and appreciated from all of the trustees. The trustees have worked hard to ensure that soulcity is a safe and healthy community for all who may decide to attend.
Trustees
At the start of the year Mr Ben Jack stepped down as a trustee. The trustees who served from April 2020 to April 2021 are:
Mr Phillip Rust Mrs Lucy Engels Mr Benjamin Jeffery Mr Christopher Clark
Approved by the trustees on 3rd August 2021 and signed on their behalf by Ben Jeffery
soulcity church
web: mysoulcity.org email: info@mysoulcity.org Registered Charity: 1177699
Financial Statement for the year ended 5 April 2020
| 5 April 2020 to 4 April 2021 | 5 April 2020 to 4 April 2021 |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| General offerings | 9,271.71 |
| Gift Aid | 3,937.63 |
| Offering where gift aid already claimed | 2,893.98 |
| Offerings eligible for gift aid | 33,261.83 |
| Offerings not eligible for gift aid | 9,065.20 |
| Other Revenue | 5.00 |
| Total Income | 58,435.35 |
| Grants & Funding | 26,058.05 |
| Gross Proft | 84,493.40 |
| Less Operating Expenses | |
| Advertising & Marketing | 636.66 |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 420.60 |
| Bank Fees | 577.00 |
| Charitable and Goodwill Donations | 2,350.00 |
| Cleaning and COVID Safety | 202.42 |
| Freelance salary | 23,210.00 |
| General Ministry costs | 4,559.95 |
| General Offce Expenses | 1,731.43 |
| Insurance | 274.33 |
| IT Software and Consumables Memberships | 2,652.68 |
| Memberships | 953.00 |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 146.36 |
| Rent and venue hire | 9,990.00 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 12,624.29 |
| Resources | 588.98 |
| SoulKids | 188.18 |
| Staff Training | 493.79 |
| Telephone & Internet | 369.19 |
| Travel-National | 384.87 |
| Utilities | 442.91 |
| Total Operating Expenses | 62,796.64 |
| Net Proft | 21,696.76 |
Assets:
| Stacking Chairs | 1485.00 |
|---|---|
| Stacking Chairs | 495.00 |
| Stacking Chairs | 495.00 |
| Stacking Chairs | 495.00 |
| 55"LED TV | 299.98 |
| 55"LED TV | 299.98 |
| TV Tripod | 75.00 |
| TV Tripod | 75.00 |
| Bins | 22.00 |
| ATEM Mini Pro | 606.00 |
| Monitor | 69.99 |
| Light Bulbs | 131.49 |
soulcity church
web: mysoulcity.org email: info@mysoulcity.org Registered Charity: 1177699
| Air Purifer | 94.97 |
|---|---|
| Heater | 315.96 |
| Security Alarm | 144.78 |
| Monitor | 156.90 |
| Rack | 68.04 |
| Keyboard and mouse | 105.42 |
| Keyboard | 134.58 |
| Mac Accessories | 240.00 |
| New Macbook | 1259.00 |
| Lighting | 227.97 |
| Stage | 5842.80 |
| table | 115.20 |
| Heaters | 380.00 |
| Lighting | 664.00 |
| Light stand | 132.98 |
| Lighting | 68.99 |
| Amplifers | 171.60 |
| Total New Assets | 14,672.63 |
Accounts:
TSB £19,695 Total £19,695
Approved by the trustees on 3rd August 2021 and signed on their behalf by Ben Jeffery
soulcity church
web: mysoulcity.org email: info@mysoulcity.org Registered Charity: 1177699
Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees/ members of soulcity Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 04/04/2020.
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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Daniel Savage
Flat 9, Brooklyn Court, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3NB
29/07/20
soulcity church
web: mysoulcity.org email: info@mysoulcity.org Registered Charity: 1177699