FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON IS A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (NO. 1190778)
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| INDEX | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Trustees Report | 3 - 7 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 9 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 10 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
2
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
Freedom Church Waddington
Registered Charity Number
1190778
Registered Office Hall Cottage Hill Top Waddington Lincoln LN5 9RL
Charity trustees
Mr Jon Pape Mr John Thorneycroft Mr Efstratios (Gary) Tsagaris
Objectives and Activities
To advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public, in particular but not exclusively through the holding of prayer meetings, religious education, public celebration or religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature on the Christian faith to enlighten others about the Christian religion, providing pastoral care and carrying out outreach work in the community.
Freedom Church Waddington seeks to fulfil our purpose through the following activities:
-
Gathering together
-
Mission
-
Discipleship
-
Pastoral Care
We hope that as we carry out these activities, we move closer to fulfilling our vision which is to see people flourishing because they have found belonging and fulfilment in Jesus.
When planning our activities for the year, the leadership and trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
3
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Constitution adopted on 5[th] January 2020, amended and approved on 5[th] August 2020. Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee Selection
Under the requirements of the Constitution, except for the initial trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. There shall be a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve trustees. Any person retiring as a trustee is eligible for reappointment.
The trustees are responsible for ensuring all legal requirements of the charity are met. The strategic and spiritual direction and pastoral oversight of Freedom Church Waddington is the responsibility of the church leaders.
The church was led on a day-to-day basis by Jon Pape, who was assisted by Jenne Pape. Jon and Jenne Pape are also supported by the leadership of Gateway Church Northumberland (registered charity no. 1164586). The leaders of Freedom Church Waddington submit to apostolic oversight from Regions Beyond UK (registered charity no. 1152827).
The church has no employees, with all trustees, leaders and people within the church giving their time voluntarily to serve our community.
Policies
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures Safeguarding policy and procedures Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Financial Review
The financial statements on pages 10 comply with statutory requirements.
The Income and Expenditure statement on page 10 shows net incoming resources for the year end 2024 £28,515 (2023: £22,684). The church has continued to fund a variety of projects and activities, which are in line with its stated objectives. The level of activity for the year was satisfactory, and the trustees believe that this will continue for the foreseeable future. The cumulative balance on the unrestricted general fund at the year-end 2024 £52,828 (2023: £40,969).
4
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The church is dependent upon the continued receipt of donated income. At the year end the financial position of the church was satisfactory. The church receives a certain amount of voluntary help; it is not possible to quantify the value of the time given. We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers who help the church and its various activities to run smoothly.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees’ aim is to hold around £4,000 in reserves representing approximately three months’ worth of expenses. This should allow the Trustees time to take the necessary corrective action to gain funding should current income sources dry out.
Achievements and Performance
Gathering together
Freedom Church Waddington met in Waddington Village Hall each Sunday morning to worship together. This took the form of singing, praying, reading the Bible and teaching one another. Teaching was given in an ageappropriate way, with adults listening to a prepared sermon and children enjoying their own activities. Church members also gather during the week in life groups, where they have fellowship with one another, study the bible, and pray together.
Meeting together at Waddington Village Hall
Mission
The Community Growing Garden project, run in partnership with RAF Waddington continues to grow. The aim of the garden is to support military families, especially those where a member is deployed abroad, reducing isolation and loneliness, and encouraging community cohesion between military and church families. At least seven families living at RAF Waddington were involved, and we look forward to further growth of the project.
Community Growing Garden, RAF Waddington
5
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
We were also excited to send a group of young people to NewDay youth camp again. All of them were inspired, challenged and encouraged
in their faith, and the impact on the young people was evident in their enthusiasm for getting more involved in the life and work of the church, as well as in growing maturity in their personal faith.
At Christmas we held a joint carol service with St Michael’s church and Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service at Waddington Community Fire Station. This was well attended and gives us an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with people who are less keen to visit a regular church building.
In December, Jon Pape also visited Ukraine on behalf of the church. He saw how churches are sourcing food for their local community and then distributing food parcels to those in need. He also preached at a church in Lviv which is led by, and supporting, internally displaced people.
Discipleship
Freedom Church Waddington provided discipleship through our mid-week life groups. Many members of the church also attended Together ’24, a day of worship, teaching and prayer for the churches of the Regions Beyond northern hub, hosted by Emmanuel Church Durham. Freedom Church contributed £200 to the costs of the event.
Jon preaching through Olya’s translation
Pastoral care
Freedom Church Waddington provided pastoral care to people within the church through our mid-week life group and encouraging people to support one another. Additionally, two pastoral gifts were made to families in Freedom Church whose needs became known to us. One of these gifts was made to Emma Tsagaris, wife of Efstratios Tsagaris who is a trustee. The other trustees made the decision to give a pastoral gift, based on the family’s need, and treating them the same as any other member of the church.
6
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Training
Richard & Charlotte Thorneycroft continued the Equip leadership training course, where they are receiving teaching and encouragement. Jon and Jenne Pape attended the Growing Women Leaders conference in January and were equipped through regular meetings with other church leaders of the northern hub. Additionally, four members of the church attended the Regions Beyond national leadership hub at Jubilee Church Hull.
The church also covered the cost of 15 members attending the Preachers & Teachers training course, that was a combination of online training sessions and an away day in Birmingham. The congregation has been blessed as more people have volunteered to preach on a Sunday morning, bringing a greater variety of voices.
Administration
Freedom Church Waddington’s expenditure under this heading includes insurance, licenses to publish song lyrics that are under copyright, membership of the Evangelical Alliance (registered charity no. 212325), website costs, and safeguarding costs (membership of thirtyone:eight, registered charity no. 1004490).
Gifts to other ministries
Freedom Church Waddington makes a monthly donation to Regions Beyond UK. During the year we also made one-off gifts to the Regions Beyond global offering (via Regions Beyond UK), Ukrainian churches supporting their local communities (via Hope Church Tonbridge, registered charity no. 1174702) and Lincoln Foodbank (via Acts Trust, registered charity no. 1119911)
Trustees' responsibilities
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year (unless the charity is entitled to prepare accounts on the alternative receipts and payments basis). In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
7
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law and regulations. They 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.
Internal control and risk management
The Trustees continue to monitor the major risks to which the charity is exposed and to keep under review the adequacy of the systems according to the size of the charity and the nature of its operations.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Signed……………………………………………………….. Dated …………………. Mr Jon Pape, Chair
8
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Independent Examiners Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my exam of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns 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 the accounts to be reached.
Signed ………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………. Sue Miller ACMA 66 Westcliffe Street Lincoln LN1 3TZ
9
FREEDOM CHURCH WADDINGTON FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Receipts | ||||
| Donations – Regular Giving | 22,791 | 0 | 22,791 | 19,264 |
| Donations – Ad hoc Giving | 2,804 | 0 | 2,804 | 2,092 |
| Gift Aid | 2,920 | 0 | 2,920 | 1,328 |
| Other Income | ||||
| Total Receipts | 28,515 | 0 | 28,515 | 22,684 |
| Payments | ||||
| Gathering Together | 4,874 | 0 | 4,874 | 3,395 |
| Mission | 1,620 | 0 | 1,620 | 2,613 |
| Discipleship | 200 | 0 | 200 | 729 |
| Pastoral Care | 1,514 | 0 | 1,514 | 880 |
| Training | 2,277 | 0 | 2,277 | 572 |
| Administration | 1,349 | 0 | 1,349 | 1,239 |
| Gifts to other Ministries | 4,822 | 0 | 4,822 | 1,200 |
| Total Payments | 16,656 | 0 | 16,656 | 10,628 |
| Net of Receipts/(Payments) | 11,859 | 0 | 11,859 | 12,056 |
| Cash Funds last year | 40,969 | 0 | 40,969 | 28,913 |
| Cash Funds this year end | 52,828 | 0 | 52,828 | 40,969 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash Funds | 52,828 | 40,969 |
10