Debre-Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church London
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year end 31[st] December 2020
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
Contents
Reference and administration details ..................................................................................................................... 1 Structure, governance and management ............................................................................................................... 2 Appointment of Trustees ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Performance and Achievements ..........................................................................................................................3-4 Public Benefit ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Financial review ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Reserves policy ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Declaration ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Independent examiner’s report to the trustees/members of ‘Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London’ ................................................................................................................................. 7 Statement of Financial Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Balance Sheet……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9 Notes to the Accounts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………10-11
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
Reference and administration details
Charity Name: Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Registered Charity number: 1180553 (and Shell charity number 1124941)
Charity’s Principal Address: St. Michael’s Road
Cricklewood London NW2 6XG
Names of Trustees during the year:
-
Rev Kefeyalew Aschalew
-
Rev Addis Abebe (From 25 October 2020)
-
Rev. Kibret Asnakew (From 25 October 2020)
-
Rev. Samuel Asres (From 25 October 2020)
-
Mr Aschalew Terefe Zeleke (From 25 October 2020) 6. Mr Mesfin Taddesse Demu (From 25 October 2020)
-
Mr Samuel Wodajo (From 25 October 2020)
-
Ms Raheal Gelana (From 25 October 2020)
-
Rev. Fisseha Teferi (From 25 October 2020)
-
Rev Theodrose Negussie (Until 25 October 2020) 11. Dn Befekadu Feleke (Until 25 October 2020) 12. Mr Samson Seife Bekele (Until 25 October 2020) 13. Mr Eyasu Sisay (Until 25 October 2020) 14. Mr Aynalem Mebratu (Until 25 October 2020) 15. Mr Berhanie Afework (Until 25 October 2020) 16. Mr Ephrem Demssie Tekle (Until 25 October 2020) 17. Dn Dr Dawit Solomon (Until 25 October 2020)
Independent Examiner: Mr. Gizachew Weldeyes, FCCA.
Bankers: Lloyds Bank plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN
Barclays Bank (UK) PLC 147-149 Ray Lane London SE15 4ST
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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
Structure, governance and management
As a body of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (DGHTC) follows the Canon Laws of EOTC and the guidance of the Holy Synod whose seat is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Diocese of United Kingdom and Ireland EOTC represents the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the UK.
DGHTC is Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) (Charity No. 1180553) since November 2018. The original charity will be closed once all assets are transferred to the new charity (CIO). We are in the process of transferring all assets to the new CIO so that we can close the original, unincorporated charity.
The Trustees meet fortnightly and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church’s activities and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. Relevant matters may be submitted to the church General Assembly of Members’ Meeting for resolution or may be raised by members for further consideration by the Trustees.
Appointment of Trustees
The church is governed by its Constitution, and the Parish Administration Council (PAC) (the Trustees) of the charity are elected by the church members at a General Assembly Meeting for a three-year term with the prime responsibility of managing the day-to-day affairs of the church. In addition to the ecclesiastical and legal guidance mentioned above, the church has internal policies, guidelines and procedures that guide the day-to-day running of the charity. All congregants are encouraged to be members of the church, to exercise their rights and duties including electing and standing for PAC election.
Objectives
The mission of DGHT church is promoting the message of Christ to the world to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Apostolic Faith and Acts of The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; and in emulation of Christ’s mission to the world, particularly in His ministry to transform individual lives, communities, and the world, and to share the burden of the most vulnerable in society and to cater the needs of some of the neediest people irrespective of their faith.
The second objective of the church is to help young people to grow into being responsible and dependable citizens. It focuses on teaching and supporting the youth to protect themselves from substance abuse, antisocial behaviors and other distractions through Christian moral teachings and engagement in various religious and social activities to build strong moral integrity that is shared by the church community and the wider society.
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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
The PAC has a responsibility in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. PAC members are charity Trustees. The PAC must ensure compliance with charity law, church (ecclesiastical) law and exercise prudence and a duty of care.
To advance these objectives, the PAC carries out different activities, in line with the guidance set out in The Charity Commission's general regulation on public benefit.
Performance and Achievements
Worship and prayer
During 2020 the Parish Administration Council have made regular adaptations to respond to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been times of closure enforced by the Government restrictions, and times of closure when the Parish Administration Council (Trustees) considered it was necessary for the health and safety of our fellowship. Each week there has been live transmitted service on the church YouTube, and recordings have been made available to those who do not have followed the service direct. Any services that have been held in church have been subject to all the latest guidance on the necessary health and safety precautions. The church has remained open at least twice each week for private prayer.
The online spiritual service on the other hand impacted positively by reaching more people and introducing the church and this produced more attendees when the church was opened for the service.
The church welcomes visitors and worshippers from within as well as outside the parish boundary. Visitors attend by personal choice and, it is our great pleasure to welcome anyone from all walks of life to take part in the life of the church. We contend that voluntary attendance to worship God is a major demonstration of the public benefit of our activities.
The average regular weekly attendance was impacted by the pandemic in comparison to our normal operations. Our Sunday morning service remains the most highly attended service, and we also added weekly Saturday you spiritual and communal involvement services the church also has two regular monthly liturgy services. Over the course of the year, we have seen a steady rise in service attendance, and it has been a great encouragement to welcome new members to DGHT church.
We look to encourage the deepening of faith for all ages, and alongside our normal spiritual services, there are programs for children and young people join in. Children were at the center of the church activities, and through the churches various sub committees it has worked tirelessly to enable children and young persons to stay safe, healthy, enjoy life and achieve their potential, make a positive contribution to the community.
Our children and youth services’ progress has been encouraging. The Parish Administration Council has taken several measures to cater for the needs of the children and young adults. Our Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry are particularly key to how we help the younger members of our church grow in their faith. A major area in which the Children Service seeks to share the Christian faith and moral values is through the development of continued trainings. These trainings consist of leadership development, leadership in youth ministry,
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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
deaconship studies and hosting bible studies program. The main purpose is for them to learn how to make positive influence and contribute to the society and helping them to develop in provision of community services.
The church has been offering a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that are both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling to the community. For example, evening prayers provided a quiet, intimate, and reflective environment for worship.
Special services at Christmas and Easter were well attended as usual, and other five annual feasts of the church have also been celebrated. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. We have celebrated 83 baptisms and 5 weddings and held 6 funerals in our church this year.
During the season of the Great Lent, we were blessed to have mass liturgy, evening prayers and bible studies during weekdays, and morning liturgies on the weekends. The two-weeks fasting period preceding the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady Virgin Mary was also celebrated in a similar manner, with mass liturgy, and evening prayers and bible studies every day. Preaching has been delivered by a variety of people and has covered various themes during these times.
We continue to share the good news of Jesus through a range of programs and ministries that we run.
Pastoral Care for families as well as for troubled or needy individuals has also been provided throughout 2020. In addition to individual guidance and counseling services, our clergies have provided counseling and mediation services to couples and families that are going through difficult times. Our welfare committee has gathered funds for indigent, especially for vulnerable families and individuals, as well as coordinating visitation of the sick, housebound and elderlies. Some members of our parish were unable to attend church due to sickness or age. The clergies have visited all church members who have requested a service, to celebrate communion with them either at their homes or in hospital. This service was very helpful during the pandemic as more people needed comfort and spiritual attention more than ever.
The DGHTC has continued its ecumenical role by teaching people new to the Orthodox Christian faith and promoting tolerance in the community for those of other religions and none. Clerical services such as schools and character references, and holy matrimony have also been provided to church members and the wider community.
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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London
Public Benefit
The Trustees are aware of the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission, and we believe that the activities of the Church that are described above provide significant public benefit in line with the guidance. It has always been the vision of the Church to reach as many people as possible in our community with the Christian message and to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
Acknowledgements
Praising God first for giving us the means and opportunity to serve His Church, the PAC would like to give special thanks to all clergies of DGHTC who have continued to serve the church with great passion and dedication. We are also grateful for everyone who participated including the Sunday school services, and all other sub-committees’ contribution to the church services in various ways.
Financial review
The annual accounts for 2020 have been prepared and are recommended by the PAC to the Annual General Church Meeting thanks to the exceptional work of our Finance Officers from the Parish Administration Council.
The income of the church decreased by about 29% and so did the expenditures by about 31% during the year, mainly due to decrease in the overall activities of the church as a result of the pandemic.
During the current year the church administration observed the following:
Compared to 31 December 2019, total fund has gone up by 6.5% despite the decrease in the church’s activities.
The church administration has managed to keep sufficient funds to cover its running costs for over a year and keep it in operational existence for the foreseeable future
The net result for the period is an excess of income over expenditure of £102,154. Including balance brought forward at the beginning of the year, the total funds balance carried forward as of 31 December 2020 is £1,665,488.
Reserves policy
It is the PAC’s policy to maintain sufficient funds, if possible, which equates to approximately 12 months, to cover mortgage payment, bills, maintenance, clergy allowance and for any emergency situations that may arise from time to time. A balance of £150,000 cash at bank and on hand at the year-end is the target.
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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London Declaration The Parish Administration Council tfmste8s} declares that it approves the above report. Signed on behaK of the Trustees. Signalu Date.. lo/1 I Rev. Kefeyalew As¢halew Page 6of 11
Independent Examinerfs Report on the ac(x)unts of'Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London, Report to the trusteesl members of l)ebre Ge HolyTrinlty Ethloplan Orthodox Tewahedo chUh In London, On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 Charlty no: 1180553 (Shell charity no.11249411 Set out on pages 8t011 I report to the tnjstees cfft my examinaiK)n of th8 accounls of the 8bov8 charity (the Twst-) for the year ermjed 31 December 2020. Responslblli1Ses and basis of report As the tharlV$ trustees, YCMJ are responsible for the prèparation of the accounts in accordance wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act"). I rerM)rt In respect of my examination of the Trusl's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examlnation. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlssl¢Jn under section 145{5)Ib) of the Act. Independent l am qualffied to undèrtake the ex8mlnatlc by belng a qu811fi8d member of examlnerfs statement the ACCA. I hove etynpleted my examinatron. I confimi that no mal8rial malters have corne to my attenlion in connection with the examlnatK)n which glves me C8US8 to believe thal in. any malerlal respect: the accounting records We not kept In accordarKe with sèctlon 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accountlng records; or the acwunls did not (xrnply with the appllcable requlremenls concemlng the fonn and content of accounls set out in the Ch8rlti8s (Accounts and Rewrtsl Regublions 2008 other than any requirement that the accounls gNe a 'tTue and fair. view vthich is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinatron. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinalK)n to which attention should be drawn in thls report In order to enable a ptopgr understandmg of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2411012021 Name: Giiachew Wekleyes Relevant professlonal 9ualificationls) or body (rf any): ACCA Address: 24 Geary Court 24 The Conccmjrse N9 OTQ Page 7 of 11
ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| NOTE Incoming resources Income from: Donations 4 Charitable Activities 5 Total Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable Activities 7 Total Net income Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
TOTAL TOTAL 2020 2019 £ £ 140,488 185,806 68,835 108,715 |
|---|---|
| 209,322 294,522 |
|
| 17,982 28,953 89,187 126,050 |
|
| 107,169 155,003 |
|
| 102,154 139,519 |
|
| 1,563,334 1,423,815 |
|
| 1,665,488 1,563,334 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020
| NOTE FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 2 TOTAL FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and on hand 3 Prepayments TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS LIABILITIES Amounts falling due with in one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors:Amount falling due after more than one year NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY Reserves Income and Expenditure Statement ACCUMULATED FUNDS |
TOTAL TOTAL 2020 2019 £ £ 2,023,296 2,034,625 |
|---|---|
| 2,023,296 2,034,625 |
|
| 612,886 543,051 1,657 2,447 |
|
| 614,543 545,498 |
|
| 59,728 64,478 |
|
| 554,815 481,020 |
|
| 2,578,111 2,515,645 912,623 952,311 |
|
| 1,665,488 1,563,334 |
|
| 1,665,488 1,563,334 |
|
| 1,665,488 1,563,334 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The churche's accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recomended Practice for Charities (SORP)
Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the financial plans for the coming year and are satisfied that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis
Capitalization and depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated as follows:
Building 1% Per annum Staight-Line Equipment 25% Per annum staight-Line
| Note 2 Tangible Assets Building Equipment Less:Accoumulated Depreciation Building Less:Accoumulated Depreciation Equipment Note 3 Cash at bank and on hand Cash at bank Cash on hand Note 4 Donations Members Contributions Tithe and Gift |
TOTAL TOTAL 2020 2019 £ £ 2,050,000 2,050,000 12,228 0 35,875 15,375 3,057 0 |
|---|---|
| 2,023,296 2,034,625 |
|
| 612,762 543,051 124 0 |
|
| 612,886 543,051 |
|
| 120,901 134,509 19,586 51,297 |
|
| 140,488 185,806 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| Note 5 Charitable activities Babtism Certificates Sunday School Marriage Certificates Funeral Prayers Sales Annual Conference Collections Note 6 Cost of raising funds Allowances Conference Feasts Telephone Postage,Stationery and Printing Others Note 7 Cost of charitable activities Rent Building Lease Insurance Cleaning Subscription Water,Gas and Electricity Travel and Transport Bank Charges Repais and Maintenace Donation and Gifts Legal and Professional Depreciation |
TOTAL TOTAL 2020 2019 £ £ 1,060 1,460 80 11,987 0 1,500 1,330 3,330 4,890 14,320 0 5,198 61,475 70,921 |
|---|---|
| 68,835 108,715 |
|
| 12,720 20,995 302 0 1,390 3,277 0 180 2,570 2,101 1,000 2,400 |
|
| 17,982 28,953 |
|
| 0 3,320 0 5,940 8,964 9,624 944 779 168 144 4,613 1,027 0 7,799 33,793 30,863 9,797 20,446 2,000 0 5,350 30,734 23,557 15,375 |
|
| 89,187 126,050 |
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