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2021-12-31-accounts

Debre-Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church London

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2021

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 PublicBenefit............................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements...............................................................................................................4-5 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:

  1. Rev Kefeyalew Aschalew 2. Rev Addis Abebe (From 25 October 2020) 3. Rev. Kibret Asnakew (From 25 October 2020) 4. Rev. Samuel Asres (From 25 October 2020)

  2. Mr Aschalew Terefe Zeleke (From 25 October 2020)

  3. Mr Mesfin Taddesse Demu (From 25 October 2020) 7. Mr Samuel Wodajo (From 25 October 2020) 8. Ms Raheal Gelana (From 25 October 2020) 9. Rev. Fisseha Teferi (From 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 the United Kingdom and Ireland EOTC represents the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the UK.

DGHTC has been a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) (Charity No. 1180553) since November 2018. The Trustees meet fortnightly and are responsible for the dayto-day running of the Church's activities and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. Members may bring relevant matters to the Church General Assembly of Members' Meeting for resolution, or the Trustees may take further action based on their suggestions.

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 and to exercise their rights and duties, including electing and standing for PAC election.

Objectives

Our mission at DGHT church is to promote 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, share the burden of the most vulnerable in society and cater to 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 responsible and dependable citizens. It focuses on teaching and supporting the youth to protect themselves from substance abuse, antisocial behaviours and other distractions through Christian moral teachings and engagement in various religious and social activities to build moral integrity shared by the church community and the wider society.

The PAC is responsible for promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. PAC members are charity Trustees. The PAC must ensure compliance with charity law and church (ecclesiastical) law and exercise prudence and a duty of care.

To advance these objectives, the PAC carries out different activities per the guidance set out in The Charity Commission's general regulation on public benefit.

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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-London

Performance and Achievements

Worship and prayer

Some adaptations had to be made by the Parish Administration Council in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, as in the previous year. Our fellowship had experienced closures enforced by government restrictions and times when the Parish Administration Council (Trustees) deemed it necessary for the health and safety of our members. We have continued to stream the service on YouTube each week and provide recordings of the service for those who cannot attend in person. Any services held in Church have been subject to all the most current health and safety guidelines. Private prayer sessions have continued at least twice a week in the Church.

By reaching out to more people online and introducing the Church, the online spiritual service impacted positively by producing more attendees when the Church was opened for service.

Every visitor is welcome to participate in the Church's life by choice, and it is our great pleasure to welcome anyone from all walks of life. We contend that voluntary attendance to worship God is a major demonstration of the public benefit of our activities.

The pandemic impacted the average regular weekly attendance compared to our normal operations. However, the number gradually increased and is now at a proCovid capacity level, if not higher. In addition to our Sunday morning service, the Church also offers regular Saturday spiritual and communal involvement services. We also provide two regular monthly liturgy services. It has been encouraging to welcome new members to DGHT church during the course of the year, as attendance has steadily increased.

Attendance at Sunday School has increased throughout the year as well. Besides our normal spiritual services, we have programs for children and young people to participate in, which aim to encourage the deepening of faith for everyone. Children were at the centre of the church activities. Through the Church's various subcommittees, it has worked tirelessly to enable children and young persons to stay safe, enjoy life, achieve their potential, and positively contribute 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. Youth ministries are particularly key to how we help the younger members of our Church grow in their faith. A significant area in which the Children's Service seeks to share the Christian faith and moral values is through the development of continued training. These trainings consist of leadership development, leadership in youth ministry, deaconship studies and hosting bible studies programs. The primary purpose is to learn how to make a positive influence, contribute to society, and help them develop in community service.

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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-London

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.

A special service at Christmas and Easter and five other annual feasts of the Church were well attended as usual. Through baptism, we thank God for the gift of life; in marriage, vows are exchanged with God's blessing; 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 - baptisms and two weddings and held six 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-week fasting period preceding the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady Virgin Mary feast was also celebrated similarly, with mass liturgy, evening prayers, and bible studies every day. We also held our annual spiritual conference during the two weeks. Clergies and scholars have delivered sermons on various topics, including spiritual training on the Canon Law and Dogma of the Church.

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 2021. In addition to individual guidance and counselling services, our clergies have provided counselling and mediation services to couples and families that are going through difficult times. Our welfare committee has gathered funds for the indigent, especially 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 the hospital. This service was beneficial during the pandemic as more people needed comfort and spiritual attention.

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, character references, and holy matrimony have also been provided to church members and the wider community.

Public Benefit

In accordance with the Charity Commission's guidance, the Trustees believe that the Church's activities described above provide significant public benefit. The vision of the Church has always been to reach as many people as possible in our community with the Christian message and to welcome new members.

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,

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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-London

including the Sunday school services and all other sub-committee contributions to the church services in various ways.

Financial review

The annual accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 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.

Both Incomes and Expenditures of the church increased following a decrease in the overall activities of the church because of the pandemic.

During the current year the church administration observed the following:

Reserves policy

It is the PAC's policy to maintain sufficient funds, if possible, which equates to approximately Type text here 12 months, to cover the mortgage payment, bills, maintenance, clergy allowance and any emergencies that may arise from time to time.

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Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-London

Declaration

The Parish Administration Council (Trustees) declares that it approves the above report

Signed on behalf of the Trustees,

Signature: _____ Date: _______

Rev. Kefeyalew Aschalew

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Independent Examiner's Report on the accounts of ‘Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London’

Report to the trustees/
members of
On accounts for the year
ended
Set out on pages
Responsibilities and
basis of report
Independent
examiner's statement		 ‘Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London’
31 December 2021 Charity no: 1180553 (Shell
charity no.1124941)
8 to 11
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2021.
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 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.
I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of
the ACCA_._
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:

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:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:

 27/11/2022
Gizachew Weldeyes
ACCA
24 Geary Court
24 The Concourse
N9 0TQ

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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

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
2021
2020
£
£
191,181
140,488
123,262
68,835
314,444
209,322
44,130
17,982
102,264
89,187
146,394
107,169
168,049
102,154
1,665,488
1,563,334
1,833,537
1,665,488

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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

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
2021
2020
£
£
1,999,739
2,023,296
1,999,739
2,023,296
765,039
612,886
1,692
1,657
766,731
614,543
59,603
59,728
707,128
554,815
2,706,867
2,578,111
873,330
912,623
1,833,537
1,665,488
1,833,537
1,665,488
1,833,537
1,665,488

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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

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 1% Per annum Staight-Line
Equipment 25% Per annum staight-Line
TOTAL TOTAL
Note 2 2021 2020
Tangible Assets £ £
Building 2,050,000 2,050,000
Equipment 12,228 12,228
Less:Accoumulated Depreciation Building 56,375 35,875
Less:Accoumulated Depreciation Equipment 6,114 3,057
1,999,739 2,023,296
Note 3
Cash at bank and on hand
Cash at bank 762,411 612,762
Cash on hand 2,628 124
765,039 612,886
Note 4
Donations
Members Contributions 146,644 120,901
Tithe and Gift 44,538 19,586
191,181 140,488

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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Note 5
Charitable activities
Babtism Certificates
Sunday School
Marriage Certificates
Funeral Prayers
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
Insurance
Cleaning
Subscription
Water,Gas and Electricity
Bank Charges
Repais and Maintenace
Donation and Gifts
Legal and Professional
Depreciation		 TOTAL
TOTAL
2021
2020
£
£
5,420
1,060
2,222
80
430
0
4,515
1,330
2,338
20,944
4,890
13,740
0
73,652
61,475
123,262
68,835
32,270
12,720
0
302
0
1,390
533
0
10,062
2,570
1,265
1,000
44,130
17,982
8,312
8,964
995
944
0
168
700
4,613
32,606
33,793
11,094
9,797
0
2,000
25,000
5,350
23,557
23,557
102,264
89,187

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