Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 31 August 2024
LEASIDE CHURCH WARE - 1181223
Leaside Walk, East Street, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9BT
Trustees at 31 August 2024
Ernest Bossé, Stephen Brazier, Wendy Cooper, Gill Davis, Christine Edwards, Julia Gristwood, Tony Gubb, Pauline Pickering, Elizabeth Stockdale, Graham Watson.
Structure
The charity structure reflects the two Christian denominations comprising Leaside Church (the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church). Trustees are the members of the Church Council which meets bi-monthly. Each is elected by Church Meeting to serve for three years, after which they may stand down or be eligible for re-election. Church Meeting of all members is held three times a year, one of which is the AGM when Trustees are appointed.
Activities, achievements and performance
Leaside has a reputation as a welcoming and caring church. Throughout the year, it continued to advance the Christian faith, living out discipleship in worship, teaching and mission. It endeavoured to ensure its charitable purpose was carried out in new, inclusive and relevant ways. Leaside works closely with other churches in Ware and participates in united services, including for the Week of Christian Unity, Good Friday, World Day of Prayer, and Remembrance Sunday.
Enabling the celebration of public worship, open to all
The church was open for public worship throughout the year with the option to join by Zoom remaining. Existing audio-visual facilities were upgraded. Services continued to be varied and well supported, with an increasing number attending regularly.
Giving pastoral support to the congregation, those on the fringes of the church family and others in the wider community as needs are made known
Throughout the year, the minister and group of pastoral carers ensured regular contact, especially with those in the congregation in particular need, and more widely. The minister and pastoral carers met together regularly.
Providing facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, particularly through the weekly community drop-in, including bereavement support
An increasing variety and number of groups continued to use the premises during the week, including the Kindergarten.
Particularly appreciated was the very popular weekly community drop-in, with refreshments, bric-a-brac, and ‘The Listening Place’ for those in need of bereavement support. Regular visitors included a group of special needs young adults with their carers. It remained a very well supported and worthwhile part of the church’s outreach to the community. We appreciated the concern shown by the Police Community Support Officer who visits regularly.
Basic safety measures were kept in place for all users of the premises.
Involvement of members in a number of different outreach activities in the town including Street Pastors, Ware Food Bank, and Fairtrade Town.
Supported by the church, members of the congregation continued to be very actively involved during the year, particularly with the increasing need for the Food Bank.
Holding community fundraising events
In December we hosted the Ware Christmas Tree Festival, with a wide variety of community groups, including schools, and a range of organisations, bringing a tree to display. The Prayer Tree gave visitors opportunity to add their concerns. During Ware Carnival in July we held our popular Strawberry Tea. Charitable donations were received on both occasions.
Enabling support to other charities in the UK, including local initiatives, and overseas. Collections for charity were taken during the monthly Holy Communion services and on other occasions as appropriate.
Future plans
The church will seek the guidance and support of Synod staff as it considers where its future mission is leading.
Consideration will be given to employing a caretaker, and a Mission Enabler, with funding support from the wider Ecumenical Area.
Leaside Church Meeting 17.03.2024
Minutes
Present: Graham Watson; Wendy Cooper; Christine Edwards;Julia Gristwood; Gill Davis;Stephen Brazier, Chris Tilbury, Heather Twidle, Ed O’Connor, Mary Pick, Christine Davison, Rosemary Stannard, John Seager, Pam Pentney, Tony Gubb, Keith Street, Jennifer Cameron, Marion Darville, Doreen Green, Rev Jo Clare-Young, Pauline Pickering (Minutes and chair)
Apologies: Elizabeth Stockdale, Rev. Ernie Bossé,John Amos, Robyn Bossé,Chris Winney, Alison Brazier.
Opening Devotions: Pauline led in a prayer for guidance.
Minutes of meeting05.11.2023. Accepted
Matters Arising and notice of AOB:
None
(the focus of the meeting is Mission and Purpose so the usual agenda will not apply)
Welcome Rev. Jo Clare-Young: Jo introduced herself as a URC minister who is currently responsible for Training and Mission at URC Synod. She is currently visiting all the Churches in the region to talk about mission and going forward. She used the Bible story from John 21 ‘cast your net on the other side’.
Jo asked the Church to concentrate on firstly what is working well and not to fall into the trap of doing what we’ve always done. She stressed that individuals can’t do this alone, that we are a team.
Jo then asked the meeting to focus on what we are currently good at:
Tuesday mornings for coffee, bereavement support and Bric a Brac.
Very friendly
Supportive
We are a family
Good buildings in a good location
1
High usage and broad networks
Charitable
Community events – Christmas Tree Festival, Strawberry Tea. Part of the community
Commitment to worship
Solid worship team
Zoom
Rev Ernie Bossé and his wife Robyn
Jo then asked us to think about what we can do more of to utilize the talents we have, what can we build on? What are we enthusiastic about?
God and sharing God’s Love
Less talking and more doing and being
Our organist
What is currently happening in our town? We need to go out into the deep waters which is going to be scary. Over the next few weeks we need to look around and sharpen our awareness of what would benefit our town. Prayer is a good place to start.
In the John reading the disciples called in the other boats to help them with the catch. What are other Churches doing and doing well. How can we complement each other.
Perhaps smaller groups could get together to map the town and identify where we can be of service.
God will provide Time, Money and Personnel.
Perhaps a permanent prayer tree in the town?
Practical help for people. Mobile Laundrette?
Jo asked if we had three wishes as a church:
A caretaker
Enthusiasm
More people
Possibly employ someone for mission and outreach
2
Time for God offers opportunities to gap year students – this might be something to look into.
Someone to liaise with local groups
Talk to people.
Closer links with Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten.
We need to hear the voice on the beach, and to allow ourselves to stop and admire the view, then get together with ideas. It is suggested that smaller groups are formed to look at the way forward in more specific detail.
Meeting closed at 12.45 with a vote of thanks to Jo.
Next Meeting: April 3[rd] 7.30pm Council.
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Leaside Church
End of Year Financial Statements
Year ending 31[st] August 2023
Page 1
• Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year funds funds funds funds total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations Investments Other income Offerings Manse Lettings Development Scheme Spec Collections Fund Raising Communion Fund Total income Expenditure on: Other expenditure Ministry Manse Mission Church Halls Development Scheme Building Maintenance Worship Communion Fund Utilities Total expenditure Gains / losses on investment assets Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains on revaluation, fxed assets, charity's own use Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Building Contingency Development Legacy Petty Cash Restricted Communion Fund Development Fund IA TRUST Manse Fund Special Collections Endowment Isabel Adams transfer |
1,877 — — 1,877 586 5,394 — — 5,394 240,789 19,359 9,530 — 28,889 12,380 31,429 — — 31,429 29,980 346 — — 346 32,572 33,657 — — 33,657 32,436 — — — — — — 430 — 430 838 3,258 — — 3,258 3,384 — 971 — 971 467 |
| 95,323 10,932 — 106,255 353,434 4,634 5,000 — 9,634 3,243 21,000 — — 21,000 18,000 346 — — 346 23,620 382 — — 382 893 — — — — — — — — — — — 12,384 — 12,384 6,349 27,245 — — 27,245 24,540 367 — — 367 2,088 — 833 — 833 426 22,196 — — 22,196 14,598 |
|
| 76,172 18,217 — 94,390 93,759 — — — — — |
|
| 19,150 (7,285) — 11,865 259,675 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| 19,150 (7,285) — 11,865 259,675 |
|
| 171,111 (215,815) 240,000 195,296 (64,379) |
|
| 190,262 (223,100) 240,000 207,161 195,296 74,961 — — 74,961 65,811 5,000 — — 5,000 5,000 100,300 — — 100,300 100,300 10,000 — — 10,000 — — — — — — — 178 — 178 41 — (248,760) — (248,760) (236,376) — 15,948 — 15,948 11,418 — 8,952 — 8,952 8,952 — 580 — 580 149 — — 240,000 240,000 240,000 |
Page 2
Balance sheet
| Class and code Description |
This year Last year |
|---|---|
| Current assets 5000 HSBC Current Account 5025 Cash in Hand 5050 Barclays Current Account 5100 CFB Deposit Account 5150 Petty Cash Total Current assets Liabilities 8000 Eastern Synod loan 8100 HAEBEA Loan 8200 Congregation Loans - 1 year 8300 Congregation Loans - 2 years 8400 Congregation Loans - 3 years 8500 Congregation Loans - 5 years 8600 Congregation Loans - 10 years Total Liabilities Net Asset surplus(defcit) Reserves Excess / (deficit) to date Z01 Starting balances Total Reserves Represented by funds Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total |
18,733 24,478 — — — 2,184 188,427 168,633 — — |
| 207,161 195,296 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — |
|
| 207,161 195,296 |
|
| 11,865 259,675 195,296 (64,379) |
|
| 207,161 195,296 74,961 65,811 115,300 105,300 (223,100) (215,815) 240,000 240,000 |
|
| 207,161 195,296 |
Statement of assets and liabilities
| General Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand HSBC Current Account - Barclays Current Account - CFB Deposit Account - Petty Cash - Totals Liabilities - Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year Eastern Synod loan - Totals Grand total |
35,509 (150) (16,625) — 18,733 24,478 — — — — — 2,184 39,602 115,300 33,524 — 188,427 168,633 (150) 150 — — — — |
| 74,961 115,300 16,899 — 207,161 195,296 — — 240,000 (240,000) — — |
|
| — — 240,000 (240,000) — — |
|
| 74,961 115,300 (223,100) 240,000 207,161 195,296 |
Note1 IA TRUST restricted fund is allocated to Ware Food Bank
Page 3
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl | Leaside Church members of On accounts for the year ended 31" August 2023 Charity no (if any) 1181223 Set out on pages '.Der I I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trusf} for the year ended 3110812023 Responsibilities and As th8 charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. I have cornpleted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have ome to my altenlion (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with Ihe examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no COnM$ 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 th6 accounts to be reached Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 16IK 2015 Name: IS i oPHglK L-IVJ AJtsTON. Relevant professional qualificationls) OT body lif any): Address: 76 s TA91A0 AOAO lȕiFoiuJ 4Qi3 iH IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete ifthe examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (sée CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018