**St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 2[nd] April 2024 to 1[st] April 2025** ## **Contents** ||**St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
**& Statement of Financial Activity**
**for the period 2nd April 2024 to 1st April 2025**
**Contents**|**St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
**& Statement of Financial Activity**
**for the period 2nd April 2024 to 1st April 2025**
**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 ......................................................... 4| ||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 .......................................................... 5**|| ||4.1|Charity Name & Registration ............................................................................ 5| ||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_ _Page 2 of 6_ ## **Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 2[nd] April 2024 to 1[st] April 2025** ## **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 began to use the redundant Catholic Church of St John the Evangelist, Kidsgrove, from the 13[th] April, 2024. This development provided us with the sole use of a church, attached priest’s house, and redundant primary school buildings. Negotiations with the local Catholic Church authorities began to allow St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church to purchase the property. This required a modification of the Trust Deed of the Catholic Church building, which took some time to accomplish. Regular worship was established at this new location, and the renovation of the house allowed a resident priest to be accommodated. At the beginning of February, 2025, the purchase of the property was completed, and it was renamed as St Mary and St John the Evangelist Coptic Orthodox Church. ## **2. Activities & Achievements** ## **2.1 Outputs & Outcomes** During the period April 2024 to March 2025, St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church has continued to provide a regular Saturday service of worship according to the traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The sole use of a building has allowed for other weekday activities to take place on occasion. The Church and House were a priority for renovation, and this was able to take place during this period while the purchase was being negotiated and facilitated. Much of the work was conducted by members of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the region, while other suitable professionals were contracted for other works. These included the addition of toilets in the House, redecoration of the Church, and the renovation of the priest’s accommodation. 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. Visitors have attended the public services of the Church, and those with immediate needs have been supported in appropriate ways. ## **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. _St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ _Page 3 of 6_ ## **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 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 at the Church property. ## **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 further contributions towards the purchase of the church at Kidsgrove, 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** The operating costs of the charity have been higher during this period because of the renovation works which have been required, and because of the requirement to now cover all of the costs of utilities for the property. Monthly donation income has continued at a level which is able to meet these financial needs, and as the renovation works are concluded these costs will be much reduced. ## **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. In this period these have especially been costs incurred for the renovation of the property, and these costs are properly documented. _St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ _Page 4 of 6_ ## **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** **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 Fr. Bishoy Naguib Trustee 12 July 2024 ## **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. _St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ _Page 5 of 6_ ## **Annual Accounts Summary April 2024 – April 2025** ## **Summary of Accounts 2024 - 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income Amount
Donations £ 39,106.00
Gift Aid Recovery £ 3,692.53
Total Income £ 42,798.53
Expenditure
Bills -£ 36,172.34
Property Purchase -£ 200,000.00
-£ 236,172.34
**----- End of picture text -----**
*Donations comprised regular standing orders and some one of donations *Gift Aid recovery was for donations made in the previous financial year *Bills represented utility costs incurred while renting and then purchasing the Church property at Kidsgrove, renovation costs for work undertaken during this period, and the purchase of grave plots for members of the Church community. *Property purchase represents the cost of acquiring the Church, House and redundant School from the Catholic Diocese. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf. 31 January 2025 Fr. Peter Farrington (Chair) _St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ _Page 6 of 6_ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examlner's Report tothetru arity Name QL On acci￿nts for the year ende(I Charity no lifanyl 119 731 Set out on pages wnber lo Includeihe vf athill￿al51*ets) I reFOrtto the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts of the atove thanty I'the Trusfl forthe year ended DD I MM I YYYY. ReS[x￿sIbilitles and basis report the charity's trustees, you are respO￿l￿4e for the preparation of the ccounts in accordance wth the iequiements of the Charth"es Acl 011 1.the A¢V}. rewrt in respect of my examination ofthe Tr￿S aco)unts carried out undei 6ection 145 rfthe 2011 ALt and in oarrying out my xa￿￿natiOn. I have followed 811 the ap￿1¢aLle Direc*ons gven ty the hartty Commisson under section 1451Sllbl of the Act Independent examinevs stalemont s exc88d8d £2&9. undertake the exam emberof [insert le list&Y b¢)YyJJ. Lblete [J rfnc4 ap￿ ro I have com ￿eted my examination. I confimi that no material matters ave c4Jme to my attention In eonnection wrth the exannalion (other an that dsdosed below-l which gve8 cause to telievethat in, ny matema resixt. . the accounting recor(k were not keF* in accordan￿ ￿1th seL*on 130 of the Chart￿es Act., • the aco)unts dd not accord the ￿￿U￿tIng recorts." fx • the acwunts dd not compty bmth the app*'caile iequirements (%￿CernIng the form and content of accounts set OLrtin the Charities lAC￿unts and Reports) Regula*"ons 2008 rAherthan any requirement that the aecounts give a Inje and fairf view which is not a matter ￿nSIdered a8 Part cl an ind8Fend8nt examin8ti0n. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneth.on the examinab'on to which attention should te t￿7 in thi3 iewrt in ordei to enaLAe a wopei understandng ol the accounts to ￿ reached. "Please d8lele the words in th8 t)rackets rfthey do not 8pK4y. Signed: Relevant pro1￿lonal qualification(s) or l*yJy111 an ￿YLV, LtWffA I Addre55: her• brlrf d•tslls ny Il¢ms th•1 I n￿nIff w15h•s to l%lo