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2020-12-31-accounts

ryfree G Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Charity Information

Trustees: Mrs Gwen Underwood
Mrs Josephine Copley
Mrs Marian Hughes
Mr Neville Wells
Mr John Foster
Mx Holland Morrell
Corporate Trustee: Sheffield & District Unitarian Church Association
Mr Dale Roberts
Secretary: Mr Dale Roberts
Treasurer: Mx Holland Morrell
Minister: Reverend Thomas McCready (Until March)
None (After March)
Charity registration number: 234788 / 1182598
Registration date: 3 November 1966
Principal address: 60A Hallgate
Doncaster
DN1 3PB
Registered Office: 60A Hallgate
Doncaster
DN1 3PB
Bankers: National Westminster Bank
12 High Street
Doncaster
DN1 1ED

Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Governance

Public benefit

The trustees have taken due regard of the guidance on public benefit published by the Charities Commission.

Trustee and officer selection

Nominations for trustees and officers made via nomination forms prior to the annual general meeting (AGM). At the AGM nominations are proposed and seconded and then subsequently elected if unopposed. Where posts have more than one nomination votes are taken, and candidates elected subject to the outcome.

Aims and objectives

Services are on Sundays at 11am. On the first Sunday of each month the Youth Church meet (except Feb & Sept). Coffee morning open Saturdays 10am-12noon. We interact with other denominations, e.g., Doncaster Interfaith Group where we take our turn to host the meetings. Other social events such as dances are held to raise the church profile. Other times, funds raised go to other appeals e.g., Water Aid.

Activities in relation to objectives

We welcome you to this meeting place where we come together in worship. It is the people who make this place what it is. We accept that worship has many different meanings for each person to explore and discover. Those who speak here have the responsibility of presenting their ideas freely, fearlessly and faithfully. Those who listen have the responsibility of testing what they hear, not only with the critical mind, but also in the living of every day. The principles of freedom, reason and toleration are important to us in the quest for truth. The members at Doncaster are what makes the Church special and all are welcome to join us.

Our church is not only a place of Unitarian and Free Christian worship; it is also a centre for Interfaith Activities in Doncaster and we launched, with the Jamia Mosque, the Doncaster Partnership for Muslim/Christian Friendship in 2016.

We are a group who gather each Sunday to pay homage to something greater than ourselves. We all have different ideas and perceptions of that greater truth, but we recognise that ultimately, we are all walking the same path, hand in hand.

Though our beliefs may differ, our values unite us: the values of freedom, reason, and respect. That is, the freedom to hold our own individual beliefs and to question what we hear; the reason that allows us to look past literal belief in myth and find the deeper meaning, and the respect for others whose beliefs and opinions may not chime with our own.

Our meetings each Sunday morning may appear at first glance to be traditional church services,

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

with hymns, prayers, readings, and reflections. But when you look closer, you'll notice the language is very carefully chosen to be both inclusive and respectful of differing beliefs. This is our time for peace, spiritual nourishment, and growth. But we also make plenty of time for friendship, conversation, and sharing good food in the fellowship of our spiritual family.

Our Minister

Reverend Tom McCready hails from Scotland and has a background in both Buddhism and Christianity. In addition to being the minister at Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church, Rev. Tom McCready is also the secretary of Doncaster Interfaith.

" We can be frail and flawed, and yet truly at peace with ourselves. We can be troubled, and yet touched by something tender and true and transforming. A loving, forgiving, and renewing light shines brightly in each one of us, in everyone who passes through these doors and everyone who passes by these doors. In every human one of us. You can call it the love of God or the light of inner peace, the reason we are here is to help and encourage each other to uncover that light and to know that love."

Our History

This church finds its roots in the early 1700s and the Protestant dissenters from the established Church of England. Having initially used the minister's house, on Hall Gate, the present site was acquired, and a small chapel was built in 1740. The chapel was built out of sight of the road because previous Unitarian meeting houses and chapels throughout the country had been wrecked or burned earlier in the century for their "heretical" liberal values.

The foundation stones for the present building were laid in 1912, although this building was not designed to be the chapel, which should have been on the site of the two shops fronting Hall Gate. At this time, there was an amalgamation with a liberal Christian group ejected from the Congregational Church. The name 'Free Christian Church' was given at this time, but it was made explicit that "this in no way binds the future of the Church whose free trust deed governs the whole situation".

This open trust ensures freedom from doctrinal test for the minister and members of the congregation. The bond of the union of all within the Church is the unity of the Spirit.

Secretaries Report for 2020

The membership is currently 17.

The church pulpit was occupied by the Rev Tom McCready until the end of March when the Minister retired. The pulpit supply has been organised by a pulpit sub-committee and thanks are deserved by Brian Morrell and Josephine Copley who have arranged for services during the year to be taken by members of the congregation and visiting preachers.

The committee have met regularly once a month, to manage the affairs, running and day to day activities of the Church.

.

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

The Church again provided the venue for a number of Interfaith activities and a number of other functions. A special Women’s service was held to celebrate the anniversary of women’s emancipation, which included attendance by the Local Member of Parliament. A summer fete was held, although attendance was low.

A word of thanks must go to the Trustees for maintaining our place of worship.

There have been a few events in Church this year, some musical with support of the members of the congregation. The Minister has promoted the Church as a venue for various ‘Interfaith’ events. The congregation has supported these events and thanks to all individuals who have given their time. The Trustees continued to allow the Congregation to run a shop in the now vacant ‘Kenberne’s’ unit, which is staffed by the Minister and members of the congregation.

Thank you to all who have supported us during the year. Special thanks to those that are not members but give their time to the Church. We look forward to the year 2021, our 330th in existence in the town and our 278th in a building on this site.

Annual General Meeting 2020

The annual general meeting in relation to 2019 was held on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at 12:30pm

  1. OPENING PRAYER. The meeting was opened with a prayer from the Minister.

  2. ELECTION OF CHAIR. Mrs Sue Mitchell was elected unanimously as chair for the meeting.

  3. ATTENDEES / APOLOGIES Present: Mx Holl Morrell, Mr Neville Wells, Mr John Foster, Mrs Josephine Copley, Mrs Jacqui Roberts, Mr Dale Roberts, Mr Brian Morrell, Mrs Sue Mitchel, Mrs Gwen Underwood, Mr Francis Elliot-Wright, Rev. Thomas McCready (The Minister).

Apologies: Mrs Marian Hughes, Mrs Brigitte McCready, Mrs D King

  1. MINUTES of previous AGM, held on Sunday 24th February 2019 were approved at the first committee meeting after the AGM last year, as is the custom, with the following amendments.

Item 5c, line3 should read, ‘negotiating to take the lease….’ Item 5c, line4 should read, ‘Trustees accounts were in…’ Item 5c, line7 replace ‘tenet’ with ‘tenant’. Item 5d, line8 omit ‘there’, should read ‘year, if a replacement…’ Item 5f, should read, ‘Thanks were expressed…’ Item 5h, replace ‘Doncopolitition’ with ‘Doncopolition’.Item.

  1. ANNUAL REPORTS. Copies of written reports were available to all.

  2. a. Secretary. Copies of the report were circulated. The staffing of the shop on Hall Gate was raised, which is being undertaken by the Minister and B McCready and the Minister indicated

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

that he intends to ‘revamp’ the current layout. It was noted that the shop is being marketed for future tenants as ‘Shell fit’ by the Trustees, which allows a future tenant to adapt the space to their requirements. Mrs J Copley expressed thanks to Mr B Morrell for his work in co-ordinating the pulpit supply. The committee were thanked for their work.

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Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

a review. This needs to be considered in the wider context of how to fill the vacant pulpit. The Committee need to raise this item for discussion. Thanks, were expressed to Brian.

6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Nomination forms had been posted in the Church entrance, as is required in the Church’s Constitution.

Brigitte McCready (prop B Morrell, sec ) Brian Morrell (prop B McCready, sec ) Gwen Underwood (prop M Hughes sec B McCready) Josephine Copley (prop B McCready, sec )

7. ELECTION OF DELEGATES

8. FORTHCOMING DATES

Copies of written reports were available to all.

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

  1. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER OF THE ACCOUNTS

The Treasurer will confirm if Janet Pryke will continue to undertake the role of independent examiner.

  1. A.O.B.

  2. a. Future Minister. It was proposed that the committee arrange for the congregation to discuss future ministry and options that are available. A similar process was undertaken in the past, with short-medium & long-term planning goals set out, these previous goals should be made available as a guide.

  3. b. Keyholders. A request was made for additional help in opening and closing Church for groups using the building.

All attendees were thanked for coming, and the meeting was closed at 2.20pm. The Next Committee meeting will be on Monday 4th March 2020 at 7:15pm

Independent financial review

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

have not been met; or

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: ____ Date: _15[th] April 2021______ Janet Pryke FCMA 9 Springwell Grove Sheffield S20 1XE

Financial reserve policy

The church is fortunate to hold reserves well in excess of annual expenditure requirements made up of property holdings, long term investments and cash held in deposit accounts.

Each year the general day-to-day running costs of the church are in the region of £30,000. Monies held in bank accounts alone are more than sufficient to cover this requirement for several years without considering the need to crystallise any investments.

Due to the above there is no specific reserves policy in place at the current time as it is considered unnecessary.

Financial Statements

The church finances are managed across three different funds, a general trustee fund, the Mabel Campbell trust fund and the committee fund, all of which are unrestricted.

The committee fund income is a secured by a combination of an annual trustee grant and collections during the weekly service. If a deficit is foreseen the trustees will provide further grants throughout the year.

To follow are the income and expenditure statements for each fund. This is preceded with the summary of total income and expenditure and total reserves.

All financial reports have been created under the receipts and payments method, not accrualsbased accounting.

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Income for the year totalled £30,304 (£31,355 – 2019) with expenditure of £29,511 (£46,649 – 2019) generating a net increase in reserves of £794 (net decrease £15,294 - 2019)

The church continues to operate within income received during the year.

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church

Registered Charity 234788

Registered Charity 234788 Registered Charity 234788 Registered Charity 234788 Registered Charity 234788
Total of All Funds
Receipts & Payments Accountfor theyear ended 31st December 2020
Receipts
From Properties
Rents
Insurance Contribution
From Investments
Investments
Dividends
Collections
Donations
Other Income
Bank Interest
Furlough
Total Receipts
Payments
Expenses
Building Repairs, redecoration & renewals
Shops
Church
Buildings Other
Shops: Rates / Utilities etc
Purchases & Acquisitions
Insurance Church
Lease / Legal Fees
Other Expenses
Management / Administration
Miscellaneous
Total Payments
Net Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
Unrealised profit/(loss) on investments
Gross Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
General fund balances
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
Balance Sheet as a
2019
2019
£
£
14,250
979
1,720
8,867
1,689
3,655
15,932
193
193
31,355
35,248
620
1,408
2,027
4,694
2,280
2,400
2,400
46,649
-15,294
9,110
-6,184
433,016
426,831
t 31 December 2020
2020
£
1,695
6,412
290
5,663
78
4,021
2,183
446
429,034
2020
£
12,147
14,059
4,099
30,304
26,881
2,630
29,511
794
19,260
20,054
426,831
446,885
2019
£
Assets
National Savings Income Bonds
Fund Units
Global Growth & Income fund units: 80,386.29
Fixed Interest Units: 31,493.58
Global Growth & Income fund units: 144,184.94
Cash Balances
Trustee Funds
35,010
Mabel Campbell Funds
18,205
Committee Funds
579
2019
£
28,000
109,390
43,319
192,328
53,794
426,831
2020
£
28,664
18,253
7,672
2020
£
28,000
114,374
44,778
205,146
54,588
446,885

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church

Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church
General Fund
Receipts & Payments Accountfor theyear ended 31st December 2020
Registered Charity 234788
2019
2019
Receipts
£
£
From Properties
Rents
14,250
Insurance Contribution
979
From Investments
Mabel Campbell Income
7,091
Net Saving Income Bonds
322
Global/Newton Growth & Income Fund
3,174
10,587
Other Income
Bank Interest
74
Interest from Manse Fund
74
Other Income
Total Receipts
25,890
Payments
Grant to Congregation
26,500
Building Repairs, redecoration & renewals
Shops
Church
620
Buildings Other
Shops: Rates / Utilities etc
1,408
2,027
Purchases & Acquisitions
Insurance Church
4,694
Lease / Legal Fees
2,280
Other Expenses
Management / Administration
2,400
Miscellaneous
2,400
Total Payments
37,901
Net Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
-12,011
Unrealised profit/(loss) on investments
3,987
Gross Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
-8,024
General fund balances
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
180,424
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
172,400
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020
2020
£
5,515
296
2,295
30
2,183
446
2020
£
12,147
8,106
30
20,283
24,000
2,630
26,630
-6,347
4,984
-1,363
172,400
171,037
Ass 2019
£
ets
National Savings Income Bonds
Global Growth & Income fund units: 80,386.29
2019 @ 136.08
109,390
2020 @ 142.28
114,374
Cash Balances
Business Reserve
36,675
Current Account
-1,665
Properties Held
Church Building
2,535,043 Value of insurance
60 Hallgate
543,754 Value of insurance
61 Hallgate
423,238 Value of insurance
5 Wood Street
No value noted
2019
£
28,000
109,390
35,010
172,400
2020
£
12,705
15,959
2020
£
28,000
114,374
28,664
171,037

3,502,035

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church

Registered Charity 234788

Committee Fund

Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 2020

Receipts
Grant from Trustees
Collections
Other
Donations - room hire
Dontations - other
Furlough
Charity Shop
Coffee morning refreshments
Calendars / Leaflets / Books
Special Events
Other Income
Bank Interest
Total Receipts
Payments
Minister
Stipend
Pension
Travel
Other Staff Costs
Training & Travel
Pulpit Supply
Organist
Cleaner / Caretaker
Site Costs
Heat & Light
Water rates
Repairs & Renewals
Purchases & Acquisitions
Cleaning Materials
Servicing
Telephone
Printing & Stationery
Youth Church
Events
Admin fee (Payroll services)
Miscellaneous Expenses
Other Costs
General Assembly Meetings
Conferences / Courses
Contribution to General Assembly
Contribution to District Assembly
Subscriptions & Donations
Total Payments
Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
2019
£
1,291
726
668
95
6
870
14,274
1,427
40
1,243
1,775
8,848
4,041
323
294
1,043
1,740
200
2019
£
26,500
1,689
3,655
31,845
15,741
11,866
7,440
200
35,248
-3,403
3,982
579
2020
£
3,436
2,189
4,021
38
3,216
1,098
1,635
1,610
9,044
2,898
246
41
100
944
6,049
2020
£
24,000
290
9,684
0
33,974
4,314
12,289
10,278
26,881
7,093
579
7,672

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Doncaster Unitarian & Free Christian Church

Registered Charity 234788

Mabel Campbell Trust

Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 2020

2019
2019
Receipts
£
£
Interest & Dividends
Charities deposit account
120
Fixed Interest Share Dividends
1,398
Capital Reserve Account
Global/Newton Growth & Income Fund
5,693
7,211
Donations
Total Receipts
7,211
Payments
Purchases & Acquisitions
Miscellaneous
Other Expenses
Total Payments
Net Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
7,211
Unrealised profit/(loss) on investments
5,123
Payments received in current account
-7,091
Gross Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
5,242
General fund balances
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
248,610
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
253,852
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020
2019
2019
Receipts
£
£
Interest & Dividends
Charities deposit account
120
Fixed Interest Share Dividends
1,398
Capital Reserve Account
Global/Newton Growth & Income Fund
5,693
7,211
Donations
Total Receipts
7,211
Payments
Purchases & Acquisitions
Miscellaneous
Other Expenses
Total Payments
Net Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
7,211
Unrealised profit/(loss) on investments
5,123
Payments received in current account
-7,091
Gross Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
5,242
General fund balances
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
248,610
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
253,852
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020
2019
2019
Receipts
£
£
Interest & Dividends
Charities deposit account
120
Fixed Interest Share Dividends
1,398
Capital Reserve Account
Global/Newton Growth & Income Fund
5,693
7,211
Donations
Total Receipts
7,211
Payments
Purchases & Acquisitions
Miscellaneous
Other Expenses
Total Payments
Net Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
7,211
Unrealised profit/(loss) on investments
5,123
Payments received in current account
-7,091
Gross Surplus / (Defecit) for the Year
5,242
General fund balances
Balance b/fwd at 1st January
248,610
Balance c/fwd at 31st December
253,852
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020
2020
£
48
1,398
4,117
2020
£
5,563
5,563
5,563
14,276
-5,515
14,324
253,852
268,176
Assets
Fixed Interest Units: 31,493.58
2019 @ 1.3755
43,319
2020 @ 1.4218
44,778
Global Growth & Income fund units: 144,184.94
2019 @ 1.3339
192,328
2020 @ 1.4228
205,146
Cash at bank
Represented by
Original bequest (Unrestricted)
Retained Income (Unrestricted)
Loss / Increase in Investment
2019
£
18,205
167,848
5,123
2019
£
43,319
192,328
18,205
253,852
80,882
172,971
253,852
2020
£
18,253
172,971
14,276
2020
£
44,778
205,146
18,253
268,176
80,882
187,295
268,176

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Doncaster Unitarian and Free Christian Church

Annual Report 2020

Trustee approval

This report was approved by the trustees on 30[th] April 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Signed: _____ Signed: _____ Name: Josephine Copley__ Name: Marian Hughes_______

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