## **Greenacres Congregational Church Galland Street Oldham OL4 3EU** ## **Trustees Annual Report for the period October 2020 to October 2021** ## **Charity Name – Greenacres Congregational Church** ## **Charity Registration number – 1183815** ## **Objectives and Activities** The objectives of the CIO are to advance the Christian Faith in accordance with the principles of Congregationalism for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statements of belief appearing in the Constitution of Greenacres Congregational Church. - The advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with the principles of Congregationalism mainly, but not exclusively, by means of broadcasting Christian congregational messages of an inspirational and teaching nature. - To advance the Christian Faith in accordance with the principles of Congregationalism in the Oldham Metropolitan Borough for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature on Congregationalism to enlighten others about Congregational beliefs. - To provide a place of worship in the Oldham Metropolitan Borough, for the advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with Congregational principles. ## **Looking back over 2021** When I sat down last year to write the Chairman’s report on behalf of the trustees I did not think that things could get much worse but unfortunately, they did. Apart from a brief relaxation over Christmas, lock downs continued over Winter and Spring until Easter and whilst we resumed collective worship on the 4[th] April 2021, it was on a very restricted basis with everyone wearing masks, full social distancing and recording of attendees etc. It was not until the 13[th] June 2021 that we started to be able to return to enjoying an element of direct fellowship with refreshments being served after the Church service in the Church Hall under strict social distancing rules. We were able to start singing in Church on 19[th] July 2021 following the general lifting of restrictions. Even though the wearing of masks whilst singing is discretionary the recommendation from the Congregational Federation is to continue wearing them. The Church should have held its October 2020 AGM and approved the Trustees Report and accounts on the 11th Oct 2020. At this meeting the church would have elected officers in the normal manner. In line with advice from the Charity Commission the trustees and Deacons took the decision to defer the AGM and extend the appointment of officers until such time as it could reasonably take place. In order to keep members up to date, the Trustees Report and the accounts were duly circulated in Nov 2020 to all Church members and these will need to be formally approved so that they can be lodged with the Charity Commission. This needs to happen on or before the middle of October 2021. The AGM for 2020 is to held immediately before the AGM for 2021. The pandemic has seen many changes to the way worship, our Church and outreach has operated and whilst we have been unable to continue with the Friendship Centre, door step outreach and face to face social events we have been able to utilise Facebook for the live streaming of services, Zoom for deacons meetings, Bible Study, Prayer Meetings and coffee mornings. The work of the Deacons has continued with zoom meetings each month throughout lockdown and we are forever grateful for their hard work and support in managing the church’s finances, correspondence, general business and monitoring attendance. Our minister has also continued to support our fellowship through regular phone calls and more recently some visits to those in need. The live streaming of services has been running each week since March 2020 and has been well received by many church members during lock down and has continued since we resumed collective worship. These live streams are being regularly watched by 12 to 15 people who are for whatever reason unable to attend church in person each week. In addition, our minister has now hosted 27 quizzes on Zoom and these have all been great fun and well attended. There have been a number of services of note during the year these being :- - Remembrance Sunday 8[th] Nov 2020. The service had to be changed to an on-line service at the last minute due to the lockdown which started on the 5[th] November 2020. Our minister recorded a YouTube video service for our fellowship which focussed on children evacuated from Guernsey in 1940 who were looked after by members of our fellowsh and who returned home in 1945 with Lancashire accents. A small number of our fellowship also laid a wreath at the Waterhead war memorial on behalf of our church. - Church reopened briefly on 6[th] December 2020 when 27 people attended the annual toy service when we supported the Salvation Army’s “Children at Christmas” Appeal. - Our church managed to hold a number of services during December and these were well attended. The Quiet Hearts service was shown on YouTube and Facebook and included readings by Stuart, Gary, Sarah and Sylvia. Viewers were invited to light candles at home in remembrance of loved ones who had passed away. - The first service of 2021 was held on the 3[rd] January and was our re-dedication service. The service also included Holy Communion for the first time since lock down with attendees bringing their own bread. - Church did not meet face to face after this until Easter Sunday on the 4[th] April 2021and had 47 attendees of all ages. - The Church held its Anniversary service on the 16[th] May 2021 which was led by the Rev Liz Dean and was again well supported. - The General Secretary of the Congregational Federation, Yvonne Campbell, led the service on 11[th] July and the Rev Frank Wroe returned to our church to lead our worship on 29[th] August. - Looking forward, before our AGM on 10[th] October, we have Mrs Susan Titmuss from Greenfield Methodist Church leading our service on 3[rd] October. On 26[th] September our Harvest Thanksgiving service will be supporting the work of St Barnabas Church and their food bank. - Quarterly Church meeting August 15[th] 2021 – held in Church for first time since the start of lockdown. Our Social Group have continued to meet by Zoom and more recently in person and our first social event since lockdown was a Car treasure hunt, which was great fun. This was quickly followed by an outdoor BBQ led by Gary. Further events including a quiz, a film night etc are all planned for the coming weeks provided the Covid rules don’t change. Our thanks to Stuart and the rest of the Social Group team for their hard work and support. ## **Church Maintenance** Whilst our church has been closed for many months, maintenance work has still been required and it has been a busy year in this respect and we owe a great vote of thanks to Margaret for all of her efficient organisation and management and for her efforts to secure funding from the Federation to support the work (see financial review below). Works have included: Repairs to the graveyard wall Roof maintenance and clearing Tree felling Electrical testing and maintenance ## **Other Matters** Looking to the future, our Minister has decided that it is time to slow down and has resigned his calling which will take effect from the end of October 2021. Our thanks go to David and Sian for their dedicated service to our church through some very difficult times. We also offer our best wishes for the next chapter of their journey together when they move to Doncaster. The church will need to think carefully how it should best move forward as we consider calling a new minister and how we might want to adapt following the learning from the enforced changes of the pandemic. To this end, the church is holding a Workshop entitled “Post Pandemic Church to be led by Luzia Watt supported by the Congregational Federation to look at how worship may change going forwards and I urge you all to attend, get involved and tell us what you think. The Diaconate will also be calling an extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the calling of a new minister for our church. On a positive note, next year is our Church’s 350[th] Anniversary which is something about which we should all be proud. We are hoping that the Pandemic continues to subside and that we can make it a special year. We are planning to hold a number of special events during the year and around the anniversary week. Please get involved, put forward any ideas you may have, and help to make it really special ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The structure of our CIO remains unchanged with a Minister, 5 Trustees and 12 Deacons. ## **Trustees** Of the 5 trustees originally appointed there are only 3 currently in post namely I Bairstow Chair J Dean Secretary M Fowler Treasurer M Dean resigned 8[th] August 2020 and A Mien resigned 21[st] December 2020 In accordance with the rules of the Charity, the three trustees invited 2 deacons to become temporary trustees until the next AGM and Mr P Butler and Mr S Paulley were duly appointed through a Trustees Zoom meeting on the 3[rd] January 2021. Our diaconate currently also has two vacancies following the resignation of Mr Dean and Ms Mien, hopefully these will be filled at our forthcoming AGM Our thanks to both Mr Dean and Ms Mien for their hard work and support of our church over the years and to Mr Paulley and Mr Butler for stepping forward for these key roles. ## **Deacons** |Joy Dean|Until Oct 2023|(trustee until Oct 2022)| |---|---|---| |Margaret Fowler|Until Oct 2020 – extended to Oct 2021|(trustee until Oct 2021)| |Audrey Whiteman|Until Oct 2022|| |Gail Waterhouse|Until Oct 2022|| |Muriel Booth|Until Oct 2023|| |Stuart Paulley|Until Oct 2021|(trustee until Oct 2021)| |Ian Bairstow|Until Oct 2021|(trustee until Oct 2022)| |David Hopkins|Until Oct 2020 – extended until Oct 2021|| |Peter Butler|Until Oct 2020 – extended until Oct 2021|(trustee until Oct 2021)| |Yvonne Biram|Until Oct 2023|| |Annes Mien|Resigned Dec 2020|| |Vacancy|(M Dean Resigned 2020)|| ## **Role of Honour** We must sadly note the passing of our Church member Mr Robert Coates (Robert was the last surviving Church member to have served in WW2}, Church Member Mr Geoff Wheeler and adherents Ted Lawton, Les Bradshaw and Sandra Howarth. They will all be sadly missed and our condolences go out to their families. ## **Financial Review** ## **a) Revenue** During the year ending 30[th] June 2021 the church had a revenue income of £48k and running costs of 53k leaving an in year operating loss of £5160. A summary breakdown of income and expenditure is given below. The full detailed audited accounts are attached at the end of this report. |**Income**||**Expenditure**||| |---|---|---|---|---| |Offertory|£22k|Salaries|£30k|| |Gift Aid|£6k|Manse||£3k| |Investment Income|£6k|Utilities|£7k|| |Grants|£7k|Admin and Legal|£3k|| |Donations|£3k|Donations|£2k|| |Funeral Fees|£1k|Buildings|£8k|| |Other|£3k|||| ||--------||--------|| ||£48k||£53k|| It is worthy of note that the offertory income has increased by over 15% over the past year with many of our fellowship giving by standing order. This increase has more than offset the loss of income from room rentals due to Covid restrictions. The church is incredibly fortunate to have such a generous fellowship and our thanks go to all of you for your kind generosity. In addition to this we have also been fortunate to have received one off donations to the value of £3k in addition to Grants to support maintenance work and lockdown losses from the Congregational Federation totalling almost £7k for which we are so grateful. ## **b) Reserves and Investments** The general position of reserves and investments remains unchanged. Adjustments and transfers are noted below. - £7.5k transferred from Teachers B/S Account to Reserve Account - £7k from Reserve Account to Current Account - £2k Investment growth in Medium Term Investment Fund - £13k Investment growth in Long Term investment Fund - £97k historic revaluation of Investment Fund held by Congregational Federation I am happy to report that our Church is in a strong financial position with significant capital reserves and a regular income stream. Whilst expenditure again exceeded income the margin is not such as to threaten the viability of the church. Our buildings and grounds are in a good state of repair and, God willing, if we are able to get back to normal in terms of social events, fund raising and room rentals and the ongoing support of our fellowship we may be able to get to the point of a balanced budget in future. A full copy of our audited accounts is attached for information below. These will be presented to our AGM for approval prior to submission to the Charity Commission. Ian Bairstow Chair of Trustees GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 SBN Tax & Accounts Ser¥kes Umfted Sult¢ 38. Europa House Bartmft S*reet Bury B19 58T GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 Income Offertory income t)onations, grdnts and fundraising Insurance claim 22361 11394 IY)87 6349 (note i) Funeral and wedding fees Room Hire Investment Income 1476 195 850 5611 (note 2) (note 31 7967 Other incorne Tax reclaimed on covenants 313 5072 42783 6359 48051 Expenses Ministerf5 Stipend and pension Cleaning and pulpit supplles Manse expenses General expenses Administrative expen5e5 Donations made 8uildin8 and equiprnent maintenance 27744 1998 27279 2312 Inote 4) (note S) (note 6) (note 7) (note 8) 2877 7577 2731 1964 2947 7688 3919 1748 6632 52525 8321 53212 Excess of expendlture o¥er Income for the year (51611 {9742) Accumulated deficlt brought forward 146306) 1365641 Accumulated defi¢lt ￿rrIed fonvard 1514671 (463061 GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 2021 2020 Flxed a$5ets Land and Bulldings At 30June 2019 Revaluation of land and Buildlngs 129000 129CMXI 275000 40400) 275000 404000 Investments {note 9) 349704 245226 .Cash at bank aNI in hand (note 10) 14487 13507 Accounts receivable 1646 550 Totsl assets 769837 663283 Current liabilitles Inote 11) 2173 2393 Total assets less current liabilities 767664 660890 Represented by: Church Funds General Fund Revaluation Reserve Deficit on Income and expenditure account (note 12) 695442 8750 114939 1514671 695243 8750 3203 1463061 (note 13) 767664 660890 Examlnefs Report We have examlned the attached accounts. wlthout carrylnE out an audit. SBN Tax & Accounts Services Llmlted Suite 38, Europa House Barcroft Street 8ury BL9 5BT Page 2 GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTESTO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 Land and Bulldlngs re¥aluatlon In prevlous years only the manse had been Included In the accounts. The church and land were professionally valued in 2020 and have been included at that valuatlon. Investment revaluatlon The COIF investments were revalued durlng the year in the Congre8atlonal Federatlon Investment report whkh Instrurted that the assets be shown In the accounts at the revalued amount. The Increase In value was £96,818 and 1$ shown In Note 13 2021 2020 Mote I Donatlons• Irants and fundratslns Other donatlons Grants from Con8re8atlonal Federatlon Collertlons for charlty Festlve coffee mornln8 Fund ralsSn8 3365 6760 1060 3357 1000 334 1203 455 6349 209 11394 Nots2 Imr￿tment Income Bank Interest Royton Trust COIF incorne from unlts COIF dividend Income DB Berry Trust Income K Locke Trust Income Vernon Buildlng Society interest Teachers Bulldln8 Society Interest Proflt on Sale of COIF Investments 188 1374 3007 173 1018 203 1090 1025 205 242 23 1801 7967 5611 Note 3 Other Incom• Greetings advertising Income Otherincome 252 61 313 Page 3 GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES TO THE AccouKrs YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 2021 Note 4 Manse expenses Councll Tax 1546 1499 Water Rates Broadband Insurance Ground rent 459 616 243 13 596 233 13 2877 2947 Note S Gen•ral exp•n Insurance Telephone Electrlclty Gas Water 3263 445 1014 2549 436 1437 2445 276 7S77 7688 Not• 6 Admlnl$tratl￿ •xpens•s Prlntln8- Greetln8S Postage Statlonery and consumables Mlleage expenses General prlntln8 Costs Remembrance Day w￿3th and expenses Pflzes 438 91 20 298 221 18 15 171 113 125 20 96 3CK) Accountancy fees Catering costs Copyrl8ht licences Legal fees Mlscellaneous expenses 85 236 263 1578 2328 2731 3919 GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES TO THE AcCou￿rS YEAR ENDED 30JUNE 2021 Note 7 lyonatlons made Donation5 to afflllated a550ciation5 Donations to charity CWM Ministry and Mission Christian Aid Salvation Amiy Spoons 574 334 760 1748 Note 8 Build1￿ and equlpii*nt malntenance Building repairs Land maintenance Window cleanlng Ueanin8 materials Alami costs Organ repairs PA system and microphones 928 7125 2(M) 4060 1902 250 86 330 8321 6632 COIF Capltsl units Julian Hodge Two Year Bond Nucleu5 Medlum Temi 35CW 35000 51815 Nucleus Lon8 Temi Teachers, Building Sooety COIF Ethical Investment Income Shares 114641 101388 50023 42765 103818 349704 245226 GREENACRES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021 2021 2020 Note 10 Cash at bank and In hand Bank current account 5228 4603 Bank reserve account Petty cash 9137 122 14487 8637 267 13507 Note 11 Current Ilabilltle5 Accounts payable Flower fund Fund raising holdlng account Coffee collection holding account 434 155 205 1511 23 2173 205 Isio 523 2393 Note 12 Churth Funds Youth and Recreation Fund - Capital Youth and Recreation Fund- Income Terc. 8ullding Endowment Fund Waterhead Fund- Capital Waterhead Fund- Interest Legacy Fund Historical Recelpts Fund Benevolent Fund Endowment Fund Communion Fund 3658 2011 3659 2011 2767 7184 1348 2767 7184 1348 298007 298007 360050 360050 13017 13217 7000 7000 695442 695243 Note 13 Revaluatlon Reser¥e Nucleus Investment Valuatlon Increase COIF Investments Revaluatlon 18121 96818 114939 3203 3203 Page 6 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examIne￿S report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Rgport to the tru8teO fflembern ol GREtN floRtS CoKREqATlOtIAL ChuftcH On occounts for tho year •nd•d Charlty no (11 •nyl S•t out on pag QtyE ro Si I report lo the trustees on my examinats'on of the accounts of lh8 above charity ('the Tru5f) for th8 year ended 3tslUIItyII Ro•pons1bllltl￿ and As the charity Irusiees of the Trust. you are respx)nsible for the preparation ba#1$ of report of tha accounts in acoydance v4ilh tho rfr4uirements of the ChaTiknes Act 2011 {'Ihe A¢ri. I report in respect ol my examinallon of the Tru$l'8 accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examlnation, I have follo*pd the applicable Oire¢li0￿ given by the Charity Commission under 88Ction 14515}Ib} of the ACL I have c(Jmpleted my examinab"on. I conffim that no materlal matter8 have Come to my attention { in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in. any material respe￿.. accounting rec4Jrds were not kept In aCcOrdar￿ ￿th section 130 01 the Act or the accounts do not ￿e0rd with the accounting records I have no c￿CernS and have Mme across no ¢)ther mattorn in connection hmth the examination to which attention should be dra￿￿ In ordèr to enabl8 proper understanding ol the accounts lo be reached. ' Ae8se dele16 the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Independ•nt examlnerf• 8tatsm?nt Slgnod: Dat•: Nam•: Rolevarrt profe$8lonal quallficatlonl•l or body {If •nyl: Addreu: IITE SÈ. MO￿81. QhRCRorr sTft￿. (l¥ QL9 58f IER October 2018