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**|
Page 8 of 12
## **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**|
Page 9 of 12
## **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**|
Page 10 of 12
## **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**|
Page 11 of 12
## **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**|
Page 12 of 12