Registered Charity Number: 1193379
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2023 for
South London Japanese Church
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South London Japanese Church Legal and Administrative Details
| Registered address | Second Floor 38 Dartford Road Sevenoaks TN13 3TQ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Governing document | Constitution dated 1st April 2018, as amended and restated on 17th July 2021 |
|
| Charity Registration Number | 1193379 | |
| Trustees | Keiko Beney Futaba Ishii Satomi Mizuno-Lewis Tatsuya Morikawa (Chair) Tomoko Woodhead |
appointed 18th June 2023 appointed 18th June 2023 appointed 18th June 2023 |
| Bank | TSB Bank plc | |
| Independent Examiner | Ian Maclennan Southmere Farmhouse 20 Langstone Road Havant PO9 1QX |
| Index | Page |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Details | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3-4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 6 |
| Statement of Assets & Liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8-9 |
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South London Japanese Church Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2023
The trustees present the report and accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.
Objects of the Charity
The objects of the charity are to advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public.
Summary of main activities and achievements
South London Japanese Church celebrated its fifth anniversary in April 2023. We are so grateful that the Lord has blessed every step which the church has taken and that we can continue to worship him and work for him. We thank and praise the Lord as it is all due to his mercy, but we are also deeply grateful to each of our brothers and sisters for their hard work.
During the year we have baptised three people and have seen many members growing in faith and maturity which has been particularly encouraging. Many efforts are underway to seek out and to call to salvation those who do not yet know the Lord. Sunday School and Bible studies are being held regularly to teach God’s word. Our children’s activity (Tanpopo) has continued and is enjoyed by many. We have also maintained our Bedtime Bible Story activity. The main outreach activities of Christmas cafés, family camps, walking tours, picnics and our Mana meeting have allowed us to maintain and build contacts with Japanese people living locally. We continue to sow the seed through teaching God’s word, in the expectation that those who hear will turn to Christ. We have increased the number of our activities which encourage whole families in their Christian walk.
This year ten people from our church participated in the annual Christian Fellowship in Europe. Our pastor also spoke at the Beyond Conference in May 2023, which was launched by Japanese Christians seeking to reach out to people in the London area.
The Sutton Community Project has been greatly blessed since it commenced two years ago. Initially 30 food boxes were distributed each week however this has now increased to 140 boxes each week. Almost all of the produce included in these boxes has been donated by outside parties. The project has given us the opportunity to meet spiritual needs as well, by praying for those in need. It has also been greatly appreciated by the local community and recognised by Sutton Council. As the project has expanded we have arranged for it to benefit from enhanced governance and greater flexibility through becoming part of a new charity, The Foundry International. This change became effective on 1[st] January 2024 and the trustees wish the Sutton Community Project every success as they join their new team and focus on their key priorities.
Weekly worship services, a weekly prayer meeting and our mothers and toddlers group, Tanpopo have all continued this year. We also enjoyed a walking tours at Chartwell in Kent. Outreach Christmas café and our Christmas service were enjoyed by many and have also been greatly appreciated.
Future plans
The trustees, in cooperation with the pastor, intend to continue to offer regular worship services and prayer meetings in person and online. They intend to continue the activities that were offered last year, such as Tanpopo, Christmas café and the Christmas service. As resources allow other outreach activities and events which seek to serve the Japanese community will be held, including Bible studies and Alpha courses.
Financial review
Total income for the year amounted to £ 25,330 all arising from donations received, including donations of £ 2,447 in connection with the Sutton Community Project. Total expenses were significantly higher than last year at £ 19,898. Key elements included payments in support of the pastor of South London Japanese Church, rent to Sutton Vineyard Church, which provides the premises used to hold services and purchases of meals by the Sutton Community Project.
The surplus generated from activities was £ 5,432.
As noted in last year’s accounts, the trustees intend to increase payments in support of the pastor over time, with the ultimate objective of providing all the support necessary for the Pastor.
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South London Japanese Church Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2023
Governance
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission and operates under the Charities Act 2011. The charity’s governing document is the constitution dated 1[st] April 2018, as amended and restated on 17[th ] July 2021. Trustees are appointed at the Annual General meeting of the charity, in line with the constitution.
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rests with the trustees who meet periodically to monitor the activities of the charity.
The trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance in relation to charities for the advancement of religion. They are satisfied that the activities of South London Japanese Church fall within that guidance.
Reserves policy
The trustees wish to ensure that the charity has sufficient funds in hand to be in a position to meet its obligations at all times. At present these obligations are very modest, accordingly the trustees intend to hold a minimum reserve of £ 5,000. Current reserves are comfortably in excess of this amount.
Going concern
The trustees, having carefully considered the charity’s activities and resources, believe that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
The trustees also have responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 25[th] January 2024 and signed on their behalf by Mr. Tatsuya Morikawa:
/signed: Mr Tatsuya Morikawa/
Mr Tatsuya Morikawa - Chair
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF South London Japanese Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of South London Japanese Church (“the charity”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023 on pages 6 to 9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. 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: Ian C. Maclennan/
Ian C. Maclennan Southmere Farmhouse 20 Langstone Road Havant PO9 1QX
26[th] January 2024
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South London Japanese Church Receipts and Payments Account
| Year | ended 31st March 2023 | ended 31st March 2023 | Year | ended 31st March 2022 | ended 31st March 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total Funds |
Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total Funds |
| Income receipts Donations - collections Donations - direct payments Other donations Total receipts |
||||||
| £ 0 £ 22,199 £ 3,131 £ 25,330 |
£ 0 £ 0 £ 0 £ 0 |
£ 0 £ 22,199 £ 3,131 |
£ 0 £ 15,404 £ 3,978 £ 19,382 |
£ 0 £ 0 £ 0 £ 0 |
£ 0 £ 15,404 £ 3,978 |
|
| £ 25,330 |
£ 19,382 |
|||||
| Payments Governance 2 Charitable activities 3 Total payments |
||||||
| £ 263 £ 19,635 £ 19,898 |
£ 0 £ 0 £ 0 |
£ 263 £ 19,635 |
£ 199 £ 16,945 £ 17,144 |
£ 0 £ 0 £ 0 |
£ 199 £ 16,945 |
|
| £ 19,898 |
£ 17,144 |
|||||
| Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
£ 5,432 |
£ 0 |
£ 5,432 |
£ 2,238 |
£ 0 |
£ 2,238 |
| £ 32,230 £ 37,662 |
£ 0 £ 0 |
£ 32,230 |
£ 29,992 £ 32,230 |
£ 0 £ 0 |
£ 29,992 |
|
| £ 37,662 |
£ 32,230 |
The notes on pages 8 and 9 form part of these accounts.
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South London Japanese Church Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31[st] March 2023
| Notes | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
31/03/2023 Total Funds |
31/03/2022 Total Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Cash funds Cash at bank Due from project managers |
||||
| £ 37,743 £ 27 £ 37,770 |
£ 0 £ 0 £ 0 |
£ 37,743 £ 27 £ 37,770 |
£ 32,536 £ 0 |
|
| £ 32,536 |
||||
| B. Liabilities Amounts falling due within one year 4 |
||||
| £ 108 £ 108 |
£ 0 £ 0 |
£ 108 £ 108 |
£ 306 |
|
| £ 306 |
||||
| FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
||||
| £ 37,662 £ 0 £ 37,662 |
£ 32,230 £ 0 |
|||
| £ 32,230 |
The accounts were approved by the trustees on 25[th] January 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
/signed: Mr Tatsuya Morikawa/
Mr Tatsuya Morikawa - Chair
The notes on pages 8 and 9 form part of these accounts.
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South London Japanese Church Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023
1. Accounting Policies
Accounting convention
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement of the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession has determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a “true and fair” view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not been prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a “true and fair” view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of South London Japanese Church in furtherance of the general objects of the charity. There are currently no designated, restricted or endowment funds.
2. Payments in relation to governance
These relate to trustee training and costs arising from the trustees’ safeguarding policy.
3. Payments in relation to charitable activities
| 3. Payments in relation to charitable activities | 3. Payments in relation to charitable activities | 3. Payments in relation to charitable activities |
|---|---|---|
| Year to 31st March 2023 £ Year to 31st March 2022 £ Support for pastor (via JCL) 7,700 4,800 |
||
| Support for pastor (via JCL) | ||
| Venue rental | 6,925 | 4,540 |
| Produce - Community Project | 122 | 3,219 |
| Meals - Community Project | 545 | 0 |
| IT administration, etc. | 1,004 | 665 |
| Gifts | 0 | 506 |
| Software / website | 487 | 503 |
| Event costs (Christmas, camp) | 85 | 462 |
| Printing and publicity | 201 | 183 |
| Insurance | 159 | 159 |
| Books & service materials | 195 | 141 |
| Equipment | 479 | 58 |
| Miscellaneous | 53 | 9 |
| Japan Christian Link | 504 | 504 |
| OMF | 504 | 504 |
| Compassion | 672 | 692 |
| Total | 19,635 | 16,945 |
4. Liabilities
These relate to an outstanding invoice generated by the regular, ongoing activities of the Sutton Community Project.
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South London Japanese Church Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023
No trustee was remunerated for being a trustee. Costs incurred by trustees on behalf of the charity as part of its charitable activities are reimbursed to trustees during the year.
The charity has no employees and no staff costs were incurred. The pastor of South London Japanese Church is self-employed and at present partially supported by donations from the church.
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