Anglican Asian Living Church
Registered Charity No: 1188895
Annual Report
1 January to 31 December 2024
Governance Statement
The Purpose of the Charity is:
The dissemination and support of the Christian faith, for the public benefit amongst Asian communities and those closely associated with them in Cowley and Oxfordshire, and when appropriate elsewhere in the United Kingdom and globally, by the provision of worship, Christian education, social and community support and other recognised needs within the community.
The charity is governed by a board of trustees.
The members of the board of trustees between 01.01.24 and 31.12.24 were:
Mr. Robin Ajit Miss Jasmine Masih Mr. Arun Mattu
Revd. Canon Geoffrey Bayliss
The charity currently has no employees.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for ensuring the trustees’ report and the financial statements are prepared for each financial year, in accordance with English law and regulations, and UK accounting standards. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies, as described in the Statement of Accounts and then apply them consistently;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with relevant law and regulations.
The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. During the year trustees have reviewed all AALC policies including their Safeguarding policy.
Bankers
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The charity’s bankers are: Lloyds Bank PLC, 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN
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Charity Address
The charity’s registered address is:
St. James Church Centre, 13 Beauchamp Lane, Oxford, OX3 3LF 01865 747680
aalc@cowleyteamministry.co.uk
Public Benefit Statement
Anglican Asian Living Church is a Christian Church, functioning under a Bishop’s Mission Order within the Diocese of Oxford of the Church of England. We seek to equip our members and those with whom we work in the wider community to live in a way that reflects the Christian faith and its focus on generous love. We seek to work in a positive way alongside and with communities of different faiths and philosophies whilst sharing openly the faith in God which guides our work. We believe our work transforms communities in ways that enhance human life and build a society of respect, tolerance, peace and spiritual health.
Statement of Activities for 2024
In 2024, we initiated our standard services and programs, signalling the start of an exciting journey for AALC. We held a New Year celebration, with the goal of enhancing our organizational framework and promoting growth in both spiritual and numerical aspects. Furthermore, we successfully completed the application for BMO (Bishop's Mission Order).
The AALC is presently governed by four Trustees, including the current Rector of Cowley Parish. The Trustees oversee the charity's operations and make key decisions, while the worship leaders and Trustees are responsible for the daily management.
In 2024, we scheduled the baptisms and confirmations for several of our AALC members to be finalized in 2025.
The Cowley Team Ministry has played a crucial role in providing vital ordained spiritual, pastoral, and sacramental support to the AALC whenever required, which has been greatly uplifting.
The operations of the church at AALC are effectively overseen by the Trustees, who convene monthly. Our services are consistently livestreamed on Facebook, facilitated by Dylan, our Digital Coordinator. Jasmine Masih, a trustee at AALC, organizes the schedule to guarantee that all Worship Leaders can lead on Sundays and deliver sermons during our Wednesday gatherings. Currently, Sunita and Salina, two of our Worship Leaders, are in a discernment process for licensed ministry within the Church of England, and other church members are also provided with opportunities to lead our Wednesday meetings and church services.
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The AALC continues to offer its monthly youth services, creating a platform for young people to work together and assume leadership roles, thereby nurturing their development as future leaders of the church. It is genuinely uplifting to observe their significant progress in confidence and abilities as they take on diverse responsibilities during the service.
The ministers of the Cowley Team Parish have played a crucial role in supporting us after Richard Chand's departure by leading worship services, delivering sermons, and officiating at holy communion. The congregation deeply appreciates their commitment, and as a gesture of gratitude, we contribute £50 to them each Sunday from the AALC offerings collected during the service.
All church members have successfully completed safeguarding courses, with Lesley Williams actively supporting the maintenance of current training, while Jasmine Masih has been designated as the Assistant Safeguarding Officer for the AALC.
In 2024, the AALC has experienced significant growth in worship, welcoming numerous international guests, including worshippers and pastors, who have inspired the local community to participate in AALC activities, resulting in substantial growth in this area. Additionally, we organized a successful seaside trip this year post-Covid, marking a positive step forward for church members to resume regular activities.
As we move forward, our partnership with the Cowley team parish ministers will continue to thrive as a cohesive community. The AALC has seen spiritual growth, and we encourage our members to deepen their involvement within the church. Furthermore, we have reinstated refreshments at the St James Church Centre after Sunday worship, creating a chance for fellowship and the exchange of our faith with all.
Chair of Truseees
4
The Anglican Asian Living Church
Registered Charity Number: 1188895
Annual Accounts
1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Balance Sheet
| Balance Sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.2 | |
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Debtors | £0 | £0 |
| Current Total Assets | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Creditors | £0 | £0 |
| Nett Current Assets | ||
| (Liabilities) | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Capital and Reserves | ||
| Restricted Funds | £0 | £0 |
| Designated Funds | £0 | £0 |
| General Fund | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Total Capital and | ||
| Reserves | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Represented by | ||
| Cash at bank (Lloyds bank) | £47,529 | £35,812 |
| Cash in hand | £0 | £0 |
| Proft and Loss | ||
| Account | ||
| Opening Balance | £35,812 | £25,100 |
| Current year earnings(loss) | £11,717 | £10,712 |
| Closing Balance | £47,529 | £35,812 |
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Statement of Income and Expenditure
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| INCOME | ||
| Planned giving: Standing | ||
| order | £890 | £790 |
| Planned giving: Envelope | £1,719 | £1,394 |
| Collections: Special | ||
| Services | £1,911 | £750 |
| Collections: Sunday | ||
| services | £10,670 | £8,102 |
| Collections: Wednesday | ||
| meetings | £2,924 | £3,115 |
| Tax reclaimed (Gift Aid) | £0 | £0 |
| Charity Event | £0 | £445 |
| Prepayments | £481 | £1,885 |
| Total incoming | ||
| resources | £18,594 | £16,480 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Payment to ministers | £3,450 | £2,950 |
| Rental of premises | £0 | £1,575 |
| Church catering | £0 | £0 |
| Insurance | £251 | £237 |
| Church operating | ||
| expenses | £1,955 | £300 |
| Stationary supplies | £0 | £0 |
| Deanery Share | £120 | £120 |
| Gratuities to visiting | ||
| pastors | £0 | £0 |
| Ladies Conference | £0 | £200 |
| Sundry payments (cash | ||
| payments) | £1,100 | £385 |
| Total outgoing | ||
| resources | £6,877 | £5,768 |
| Operating proft(defcit) | £11,718 | £10,712 |
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Chair of Trustees