Debre-Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church London iii) Trustees. Annual Report for the year end 31 December 2024
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London Contents Reference and administration details................................................................................................................................ Structure, governance and management........................................................................................................................... Appointment of Trustees................................................................................................................................................... Objectives........................................................................................................................................................................... Performance and Achievements...................................................................................................................................... Public Benetit...................................................................................................................................................................... Acknowledgements......-.....................-.....................-.......................................-....-.....................-....................................... Reserve policy.................................................................................................................................................................. Financial review................................................................................................................................................ Declaration....................................................................................................................................................... Independent examinerfs report to the trusteeslmembers of'Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London,...................................................................................................... Statement of Financial Activities....................................................................................................................................... Balance Sheet..................................................................................................................................................................... Notes to the Accounts...................................................................................................................................................10-12
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 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) 5. Mr Aschalew Terefe Zeleke (From 25 October 2020} 6. Mr Mesfin Taddesse Demu (Up to 25 July 2024) 7. Mr Samuel Wodajo (From 25 October 2020) 8. Ms Raheal Gelana {From 25 October 2020) 9. Mr Melaku Abay (From July 2024) 10. Mrs Beshewalay Feyissa (From July 2024) 11. Mr Estifanos Belew (From July 2024) 12. Rev. Fisseha Teferi (From 25 October 2020) Independent Examiner.. Mr Gizachew Weldeyes, BSC, FCCA. Bankers.. Lloyds Bank plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN Bardays Bank (UK) PLC 147-149 Ray Lane London SE154ST Page 1 of 12
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 guidan of the Holy Synod, which has its seat 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 day-t(Fday running of the church's activities, as well as the charity's financial and legal affairs. 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 is elected by the church members at a General Assembly Meeting for a three-year term, with the primary responsibility of managing the church's daY-ldaY affairs. In addition to the ecclesiastical and legal guidance mentioned above, the church has internal policies, guidelines, and procedures that govern the charity's day-to-day operations. All congregants are encouraged to become Membe of the church to exercise their rights and duties, induding standing for the 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 emulation of Christ's mission to the wodd, particularfy in His ministry to transform individual lives, communities, and the worfd, 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 grow into responsible and dependable citizens. It focuses on teaching and supporting youth to protect themselves from substance abuse, antisocial behaviours, and other distractions through Christian moral teachings and engagement in various religious and social activities, thereby building a shared moral integrity within the church community and the wider society- The PAC is responsible for promoting the church's mission within the ecclesiastical parish, including its pastoral, evangelical, social, and ecumenical dimensions. PAC members are charity Trustees. To advan these objectives, the PAC carries out different activities that align with the guidan set out in The Charity Commission's general regulation on public benefit. Page2cf12
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London Performance and Achievements The church welcomes visitors and worshippers from the area and beyond. The church expanded the number of opening days per week to belter meet individual needs among church members and all congregations. The church now has, in addition to Saturday and Sunday seNices, regular moming and evening setvices on Wednesday and Friday. Volunteers worked tirelessly to make the church welcoming to everyone. The Sunday services, including the holy mass, the choir, and the youth fellowship, progressed well and were attended by many faithful. Our Sunday morning Servi remains the most highly attended. The church also has two regular monthly liturgy services. Over the years, the sleady rise in service attendance has been a great encouragement in welcoming new individuals to the church. The Saturday Se1$ are a practical alternative to Sunday services for those who cannot attend on Sundays. Our program for young people has been very encouraging. Youth are very interested in learning about their faith and using it in daily practical life. The Parish Administration Council has taken several measures to meet the needs of children and young adults, ensuring that services are helpful not only for spiritual guidance but also for fostering humility and kindness with complete confidence. As always, in 2024, children were at the centre of the church's activities, and through its various sub-committees, it worked tirelessly to enable children and young people to stay safe and healthy, enjoy life, achieve their potential, and contribule positively lo the community. We look to encourage the deepening of faith for all ages, and alongside our regular spiritual services, there are programs for children and young people to join in and have free discussions. During Lenl, the church offered daily mass and evening prayer servIs, and left it open all day for private prayer and meditation by those interested. The Parish Administration Council has an excellent relationship with the Mora Road Primary School. The proposal to use the primary school classroom during Sunday services has been accepted, allowing the church to accommodate the growing number of children and youth. The church, as always, welcomes visitors and worshippers from within and outside the parish boundary. Visitors attend by personal choi, and it is our great pleasure lo welcome anyone from all walks of life to participate in the church's life. We contend that voluntary attendance at worship of God is a significant demonstration of the public benefit of our activities. The children and youth services programs progress with strength. The number of attendees also increased. Our Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry are particularfy critical lo helping the younger members of our church grow in their faith. The church has been offering a range of services during the week and over 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. 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 trOUed or needy individuals, has also been provided throughout 2024. In addition to individual guidance and Gounselling services, our clergy have provided counselling and mediation services to couples and families who are going through Page3of12
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London difficult times. Our clergy also coordinated visits to the sick, the housebound, and the elderly. The clergy have visited congregants at home or in hospitals who have requested a service to celebrate communion. The church has continued its ecumenical role by teaching people new to the Orthodox Christian faith and by promoting toleran and living in harmony with others in the community. Clerical services such as schools, character references, and holy matrimony have also been provided to church members. The church's yixth seNh%, whith trovKles fcxxl to homdess cn Fridays, has grown gntht1y, and more volunteers have come forward to join and support the cause. Public Benefit The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, and we believe that the church's activities described above provide significant public benefit in line with that guidance. 11 has always been the vision of the church lo 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 thank all the clergy of Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church for their continued seNice with great passion and dedication. The Trustees are grateful to everyone who participated in various ways to benefit the church, including the Sunday school services, youth and children's services, and all other sub-committees that ontribute to the church's seNicEs. Reserves policy The PAC'S policy is to maintain sufficient funds, if possible, which equates to approximately 12 months, to cover mortgage payments, bills, maintenance, dergy allowance, and any emergencies that may arise occasionally. The target is a year-end cash reserve balance of £450,000.00 towards mortgage offset, which enables the church to save on rising interest rates., £400,000.00 for heating installation and flooring upgrades and £100,000 committed to match the Heritage restoration project. Page4 cf 12
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church- London Financial review The annual accounts for 2024 have been prepared thanks to the work of our finance officers from the Parish Administration Council. And the PAC recommends them to the Annual General Church Meeting. The church's administration managed to raise more income compared lo the previous year enabling it to do some maintenance work on the internal parts of the building. It has also managed to set aside sufficient funds to cover its costs and keep il in operational existence for Ihe foreseeable future. Overall, bolh lolal income and expenditure have gone up by 5.50/0 and 36.30/0 respectively. Despite the significant increase in expenditure which is mainly because of a heating installation, the total fund has gone up by a modest 4.60k. Page Sof 12
Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - London Declaration The Parish Administration Council (Trustees) dedares that it approves the above report. Signed on behalf of the Trustees, Signature.. Date.. 26110125 Rev. Kefeyalew Aschalew Page 6of 12
Independent Examinerfs Report on the accounts of 'Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London, Report to the trust88sl members of 'Debre Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London, On accounts for the year ended 31 Dember 2024 Charity no: 1180553 Set out on pages 81012 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above harity ("the Trust.) for the year ended 31 Dember 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report 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 carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. Independent l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of examiner's statement the ACCA. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounls 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. Signed: Date: 2611012025 Name: Gizachew eldeyes Relevant professional qualification(s) or body lif any): ACCA Address: 24 Geary Court 24 The Concourse Ng OTQ Page 7of 12
ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| NOTE Incoming resources Income from: Donations 5 Charitable Activities 6 Total Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 Charitable Activities 8 Total Net income Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 198,637 319,915 307,044 159,259 |
|---|---|
| 505,681 479,174 |
|
| 96,868 80,427 306,131 215,219 |
|
| 402,998 295,647 |
|
| 102,683 183,527 |
|
| 2,248,485 2,064,958 |
|
| 2,351,167 2,248,485 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 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 Designated (earmarked) Funds Income and Expenditure Statement 4 ACCUMULATED FUNDS |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 1,932,125 1,953,277 |
|---|---|
| 1,932,125 1,953,277 |
|
| 1,144,990 1,142,436 1,602 1,652 |
|
| 1,146,593 1,144,088 |
|
| 117,313 123,325 |
|
| 1,029,280 1,020,763 |
|
| 2,961,405 2,974,040 610,238 725,556 |
|
| 2,351,167 2,248,485 |
|
| 950,000 1,401,167 2,248,485 |
|
| 2,351,167 2,248,485 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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 Equipment
1% Per annum Staight-Line 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 Reserve Total unrestricted fund Designated (earmarked) Funds |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 2,050,000 2,050,000 13,532 13,532 117,875 97,375 13,532 12,880 |
|---|---|
| 1,932,125 1,953,277 |
|
| 1,135,413 1,127,490 9,577 14,946 |
|
| 1,144,990 1,142,436 |
|
| 2,351,167 2,248,485 950,000 0 |
|
| 1,401,167 2,248,485 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note 5 Donations Members Contributions Tithe and Gift Note 6 Charitable activities Babtism Certificates Sunday School Marriage Certificates Funeral Prayers Prayers Sales Gift Aid other income Annual Conference Collections Note 7 Cost of raising funds Allowances Telephone Postage,Stationery,Printing and church materials Others |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 173,672 293,789 24,964 26,126 |
|---|---|
| 198,637 319,915 |
|
| TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 6,320 7,200 1,298 1,439 1,000 1,210 3,990 4,440 1,250 3,290 65,929 60,546 23,499 12,120 355 0 10,624 0 192,781 69,014 |
|
| 307,044 159,259 |
|
| 83,342 64,275 871 716 12,655 13,292 0 2,144 |
|
| 96,868 80,427 |
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ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO DEBRE GENET HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN LONDON NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| Note 8 Cost of charitable activities Insurance Cleaning Subscription Water,Gas and Electricity Travel and Transport Bank Charges and Bank Interest Repais and Maintenace Donation and Gifts Legal and Professional Depreciation |
TOTAL TOTAL 2024 2023 £ £ 7,741 8,331 4,011 2,806 0 0 32,362 76,965 0 0 70,198 72,998 162,666 30,237 8,000 0 0 0 21,152 23,883 |
| 306,131 215,219 |
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