St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church Charity No: 1193731
Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 2nd April 2021 to 1st April 2022
Trustees
Father Peter Farrington Dr. Bishoy Dmitri Salwa El-Raheb-Booth Mary Hanna Wassim Armanious
31[st] January 2023
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church
Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 2[nd] April 2021 to 1[st] April 2022
Contents
| Contents | Contents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction ................................................................................................ 3 | |
| 1.1 | Charitable Objects ............................................................................................. 3 | |
| 1.2 | Overview (Executive Summary) ....................................................................... 3 | |
| 2. | Activities & Achievements ........................................................................... 3 | |
| 2.1 | Outputs & Outcomes ........................................................................................ 3 | |
| 2.2 | Policies on Grant-Making and/or Social Investments ....................................... 3 | |
| 2.3 | The Roles & Contributions of Volunteers ......................................................... 3 | |
| 2.4 | How the Public Have Benefitted ....................................................................... 4 | |
| 3. | Financial Review .......................................................................................... 4 | |
| 3.1 | Financial Position .............................................................................................. 4 | |
| 3.2 | Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit ......................................................... 4 | |
| 3.3 | Policy on Reserves ............................................................................................. 4 | |
| 3.4 | Principal Sources of Funding ............................................................................. 4 | |
| 3.5 | Description of the Principal Risks Facing the Charity ........................................ 4 | |
| 3.6 | Remuneration of Trustees ................................................................................ 4 | |
| 4. | Reference and Administration Details .......................................................... 4 | |
| 4.1 | Charity Name & Registration ............................................................................ 4 | |
| 4.2 | Charity’s Principal Address ................................................................................ 5 | |
| 4.3 | Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity ............................................. 5 | |
| 4.4 | Bank ................................................................................................................... 5 | |
| 4.5 | Independent Examiner ...................................................................................... 5 | |
| 5. | Structure, Governance & Management ........................................................ 5 | |
| 5.1 | Type of Governing Document ........................................................................... 5 | |
| 5.2 | Charitable Objects ............................................................................................. 5 | |
| 5.3 | Statutory Declaration ........................................................................................ 5 | |
| 5.4 | Trustee Selection Methods ............................................................................... 5 |
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
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Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 2[nd] April 2021 to 1[st] April 2022
1. Introduction
1.1 Charitable Objects
The charity organises public services of worship and engages in the pastoral support of members and enquirers, and promotes the understanding and practice of the Coptic Orthodox faith through publications and meetings as arranged.
1.2 Overview (Executive Summary)
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church has established a regular public service of worship at Christchurch Church of England in Cobridge, and has been providing services every Saturday as far as possible. Covid restrictions applied during some of this period and prevented some services being held and other activities being restricted. A weekly online meeting was organised to provide some contact between Church members across the region. Funds continued to be received towards the purchase of a prospective church centre as the basis for activities in the future.
2. Activities & Achievements
2.1 Outputs & Outcomes
During the period April 2021 to March 2022, St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church was able to establish a regular Saturday service of worship according to the traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church. This was subject to national restrictions on group sizes and during some periods it was not possible to meet at all, especially if the Christchurch Church of England was also applying its own restrictions.
A student group continued through this period providing support to students at several universities in the area. Face to face and online meetings provided spiritual, pastoral and mental health support during the difficult periods of lockdown.
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church investigated the purchase of several redundant church buildings in the area as a centre for our activities in the future. None of these were entirely suitable or the price associated with them was raised so that it no longer was a suitable investment of charity funds. Funds continued to be received for the general operation of the Church, and for the purchase of a property in the future.
Visitors have attended the public services of the Church, and those with immediate needs have been supported in appropriate ways including making contact with homeless services in the area.
2.2 Policies on Grant-Making and/or Social Investments
The charity does consider making small personal grants at the discretion of the Trustees, and does consider making grants to other charities with similar aims according to the discretion of the Trustees. No such grants were made in this period.
2.3 The Roles & Contributions of Volunteers
The charity relies on members of the Church to serve in a variety of capacities to maintain the services and activities which have been organised in this period. This includes service in the church
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
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services, but also in hospitality and pastoral support, and in practical service to those in need who come into contact with the Church.
2.4 How the Public Have Benefitted
The public benefit requirement of the charity is fulfilled through its organisation of public services to express the Coptic Orthodox spiritual tradition, and for the public to encounter the Coptic Orthodox community in these public services and other activities which have been organised. The charity provides online materials to explain and describe the life and practice of the Coptic Orthodox community. Visitors are welcome at all public services and activities and the services are advertised in the local community and through Christchurch, Church of England.
3. Financial Review
3.1 Financial Position
At the end of this period St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church was in a healthy financial position and had received substantial contributions towards the potential purchase of a church centre, and also towards the running costs of the Church.
3.2 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.
3.3 Policy on Reserves
At present the operating costs of the charity are very low and consist of rent for the use of Christchurch Church of England, Cobridge. Contributions over £150 are committed to the Church Fund and are considered committed to the future purchase of a centre for charity activities. It is not expected that operating costs will exceed general fund contributions.
3.4 Principal Sources of Funding
Funds have been raised from members of the Church locally, and from members of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the region.
3.5 Description of the Principal Risks Facing the Charity
The principal risk to the charity is diminished support from the members of the Coptic Orthodox Church so that services and activities became difficult to organise. A steady and sometimes increasing attendance at the services and activities indicates that this is not a pressing risk at present and activities to increase attendance and participation in the services and activities are being applied.
3.6 Remuneration of Trustees
All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
4. Reference and Administration Details
4.1 Charity Name & Registration
Name of the Charity:
St Mary and St Cyril Coptic Orthodox Church
Charity No: 1193731
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
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Registered with HM Revenue & Customs No
4.2 Charity’s Principal Address
264 Upper Fant Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8BX
e-mail: contact@copticstoke.com
website: www.copticstoke.com
4.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity
Name Office Appointed Fr. Peter Farrington Chair 1 December 2020 Dr. Bishoy Dmitri Treasurer 2 January 2022
4.4 Bank
Barclays, 166 The Parade, The Mall Shopping Centre, Sutton Coalfield, B72 1PH
4.5 Independent Examiner
Dalia Alfred, 5 Woodbank Close, Liverpool, L16 2LX
5. Structure, Governance & Management
5.1 Type of Governing Document
Trust Deed
5.2 Charitable Objects
The charity organises public services of worship and engages in the pastoral support of members and enquirers, and promotes the understanding and practice of the Coptic Orthodox faith through publications and meetings as arranged.
5.3 Statutory Declaration
The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
5.4 Trustee Selection Methods
There must be at least three charity trustees. The maximum number of trustees is 6.
In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are appointed or re-appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
In appointing Trustees due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
31 January 2023
Fr. Peter Farrington (Chair)
St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
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St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church
Charity: 1193731
Statement of Financial Activities For the period 3 March 2021 to 1 April 2022
| Unrestricted Fund |
Restricted Fund |
2022 Total | 2021 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||
| VoluntaryIncome | 7564.24 | 71605.76 | 79170.00 | 97400.00 |
| Total incoming resources | 7564.24 | 71605.76 | 79170.00 | 97400.00 |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||
| Premises Rent | -650.00 | |||
| Total resources expended | -650.00 | |||
| NET RESOURCES | ||||
| Net Resources | 6914.24 | 71605.76 | 78520.00 | 97400.00 |
| Total Funds brought forward | 1600.00 | 95800.00 | 97400.00 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 9164.24 | 167405.76 | 175920.00 |
The financial statement was approved by the Trustees on 31[st] January 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
Father Peter Farrington (Chair)
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trusteesl members of ST MARY AND ARCHANGEL MICHAEL COPTtC ORTHODOX CHURCH On accounts for the year ended 2022 Charity r (If any) 1193731 Set out on pages Attathed I repcfft to the trustees on my exambnation of the a(xx)unts of the above charity (Ihe Tru) for the year ended 01104r2022 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charivs trustees. you are resportsible for Ihe preparation ot the accounts in acccydance with the requirements of the Chartttes Acl 2011 (Ihe Act-). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's acC(nIS carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the appliC3b DirecticM)s given by the Charity Commission under section 1495)(b) of the Act. Independent I have (yxnpleted my eXam%)n. I Confi that material mattets hav8 examinerfs statement (J)rne to my attenti(M in connection wtth the examination whth gNes me cause lo believe Ihat in, any material respecL the accountw records vme not kept in Kdance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not ac)rd with the accounting recxjrds". or the accounts dKI not tMP with Ihe appIlble requirements concemRig the form and content of accounts set out in the ChaTrties (Accounts and Rep(Kts) Regulalions 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which ts not a matter constdered as part (fj an irnlependent exanwnation. I have no concems and have come auoss no other matter5 in connection th the examination to whith attenn should be dravm in Ihis report in order to enable a Fffor undeT5tanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 112123 Name: Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (if any): Address: Llts 2L IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of chaTity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to dls¢lose. IER Oct 2018