ST MARY & ST THEODORE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH, HASTINGS. Charity number: 1185911
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 15 SEPTEMBER 2021
This annual report covers the period commencing 16 September 2020 to 15 September 2021.
St Mary & St Theodore Coptic Orthodox Church, Hastings is governed by a constitution and is a registered charity.
Charity number: 1185911.
The church of St John the Evangelist Hollington is kindly allowing our church to provide mass services at Upper Church Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7AT.
The Chair & Trustees, during the year ended 15[th] September 2021 were:
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HG Bishop Antony, Chair
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Rev Father Angelos Elantony,Trustee
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Dr Angie Anwar Bishai, Secretary Trustee
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Dr Magdy Morcos Hanna, Treasurer-Trustee
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Dr Adel Shaker Metias, Trustee
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Mr Nabil Gress Zakher CPFA, Trustee accountant
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Mr Shenouda Hennes-Boulos,Trustee
The main object of the charity is to provide pastoral and spiritual support to the Coptic Christians who live in the area of East Sussex and promote the values and teachings of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
It has the following specific investment powers:
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Power to collect, accept, issue appeals for donations and to do all things that shall further the attainment of the objects of the Church,
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Power to invest money, real and personal property, and
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Power to be at liberty to borrow as required by law.
HG Bishop Antony appoints the church committee who in turn nominate three to five trustees as per the church constitution.
The charity’s custodian trustee is HH Pope Tawadrous II, who holds the title to property belonging to the charity, without having any management responsibilities.
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR
To promote Christian faith through:
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Regular mass services which have recently increased to 3 times a month from April 2021,
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Regular Sunday School teaching during the lock down was done through zoom application,
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Bible Study Classes,
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Youth clubs,
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Social and religious educational trips, and
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Visiting the sick at home or in hospital and to give Holy sacrament.
The structure of the Church comprises of one Priest, Deacons and Sunday school teachers.
The Church holds regular conferences for different age groups of the congregation:
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Liaising with local churches of the local community, and
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Liaising with Coptic Churches in the UK, the mother Orthodox Church of Egypt and throughout the world.
Apart from the Priest, all of the church committee and trustees are volunteers.
The charity did achieve financial surplus which is being kept in reserves with the intention of buying its own premises to provide weekly mass services and possible accommodation for a resident priest.
GIFT AID CLAIMS
The Charity received Gift Aid claim funds of £14,715 during the year (in 2020 it was £6,370).
INVESTMENT SELECTION POLICY
Short term - short term fixed deposit and money market account.
REVIEW OF MAJOR RISK
Health and safety, annual fire inspection to comply with fire regulations.
The Charity has building and public liability insurance covering the buildings.
FUTURE PROJECTS
The church is actively seeking to buy its own premises and has made a provisional offer on a church located in Bexhill however negotiations are still ongoing and it is not certain whether the negotiations will be successful.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Charity performed very well during the year; its overheads were adequately accounted for from tithes and offerings.
DECLARATION
I declare, in my capacity of Trustee, that:
- The Trustees have approved the report above and overleaf and have authorised me to sign on their behalf.
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Dr Magdy Morcos Hanna, Treasurer, Trustee
On behalf of the trustees of ST MARY & ST THEODORE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH, HASTINGS
DATE: 10 July 2022