City Church Wolverhampton Trustees Annual Report 2023 The trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Aims and Pu ose5 of the Char As an independent, Bible-believing church. as per our statement of faith, City Church Wolverhampton's purposes are las stated in the Church's Constitution) for the public benefrt the advancement of the Christian faith in such ways as the Trustees may from time to time decide. As a church, we are committed to spreadin8 the Bible's message concerning Jesus. to develop people's knowledge of Him, and to encourage them to worship. trust and serve Him. We seek to encourage as many as possible to follow Jesus's example of love and compassion in serving each other and the wider community. 2023was a year of growing pains. In July. Mr.Jonathan Maggs. a key church member, resigned as a trustee as a result of moving away from the area. Due to a variety of circumstances, we were no longer able to continue meeting at St. Peterfs Collegiate School from November 2023. We are grateful to Penn Christian Centre for allowin8 US to meet in their building in the interim whilst the search for new premises continued. However. the activities of the church multiplied with several key developments detailed below. Ob'ectives and Activities The Trustees have read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the activities described below clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public. To fulfil the aims and purposes of the Church as stated above, a variety of activities are provided for both the benefit of church members and forthe benefrtof members of the public. Our weekly Sunday services at 10.fKI am meeting in rented space and a weekly gathering for prayer in somebod¢s home are central to our church lrfe and are open to the whole comtnuntty. They are advertised electronically via our Facebook page and literature distrsbuted in the local communities as well as word-of-mouth. We seek to encourage attendance by members of the wider community by making these gatherings friendby, informal and joyful occasions. These services are recorded and broadcast later in the week on the church's website, although we firmly believe that meeting in person is critical to the practice of our faith. During most Sunday morning services "Junior Church" is run, which is open to all children aged 3-8.
On Nondays we are regularly in the local community distributing Bibles. gospels and other Christian literature to those who are interested. In August. we held our annual holiday Bible club during the summer in a local park. gaining the necessary permissions from the local council in regard to health and safety regulations, first aid precautions etc. This again was well received by the wider community. being advertised through Facebook and fliers in the area. We hosted a visitingteam from another church which allowed us to see a greater number of children and their parents participated in artivities in Bantock park. We had the great joy of celebratin8 the baptisms of two young people who had trusted Jesus personally in September. In the Autumn, a Small group of young adults1205 & 305) began meeting in the city centre at Tunwall's Café on Thursday evenings. In November. we called on three other men to serve as elders in the church who assist in the spiritual and pastoral care of the church family. We were invited back to the M3nder Centre once again to hold a Christmas carol concert which was well received. We have offered from time-to time courses to all who are interested in finding out more about the Christian Faith. Indimdual pastoral and spiritual advice is offered to people living in the church's localty. both to those who attend our meetings and to those making inquiries electronically. We have informal relationships with several otherchurches in the Wolverhampton area (Hope City Church, St. Luke's. and local FIEC churches1 to be supported and to SUPPOrt them in our mutual endeavours to advance the Christian faith. The Trustees, res onsibilities The Trustees are responsible for all matters of the CIO. both the finance and work of those who are designated as holding positions of spiritual responsibility. We hold insurance for events that we might have both regular and time to time and for the work that is done by individuals as to the propagation of the Christian faith. The Twstees reviewed and modified a safeguarding policy and it will continue to be reviewed annually- The Trustees meet four times a year. These meetings are fomially recorded. and these records are available for inspection by the Charity Commission and the Independent Examiner.
Achievements and Perforniance The Church does not measure the success of its ministries mainly in numbers, including flnanual numbers, but in le tangible ways like growth of individuals in their Christian faith and in opportunities to the share the Christian gospel with members of the community. Such "success" is difficult to measure. but the Trustees rejoice in another year when the Gospel of Jesuschrist has been shared with the city of Wolverhampton. This yearwe have provided free literature in the City Centre and in the area around Bantock Park. These include Bibles, booklets, and leaflets. These have proved popular. and hvndreds of items have been taken. We are encouraged to find that they have not then been dropped in the street and have not contributed to littering. Our moming attendance has risen to about 45 persons this year and include5 people from multiple different ethnic backgrounds who live in the UK. Our mid-week gatherings would be anywhere from 4- 10 persons Much ofthe work of the church was carried out by a large number of volunteers who. amongst other ministries. serve as musicians. Sunday hosts. hosts for mid-week, children's workers, literature distributors. AV technicians, set and pack down teams, and so on. We give thanks to the Lord for their faithful and fruitful efforts. Our Pastor. Timothy D. Berry and part time associate Andrew L. Bery led the majority of seprfices whilst Timothy D. Berry has done the majority ofcontactingthose in need of pastoral support. Andrew L Berry chaired the Trustees and the other decision-making meetings. His experience with other Boards is invaluable to the smooth running of the Church. Mr. Jonathan Maggs. also a Trustee. provided vital leadership in establishing the relationship with the St. Peterfs Collegiate school where the church meets as well as supportingother ministries of the church such as our Men's Midweek Group and the distribution of literature. As noted above. Mr. Maggs resigned as a trustee midway through the year due to moving away. The trustees accepted his resignation during our meeting on the yh of July, 2023 and gratefully recognized his contribution to the church. In his absence, Mr. An14rew Berry has taken over the duties of Safeguarding Officer until another suitable person can be found. We are equalty grateful to another Trustee, who likewise has invaluable experience with other boards and is a qualified accountant, in dealing with the financial matters of the church: Mrs Lyn Towers. Mr fimothy Howard, with his experience as chief operating officer has proved equally invaluable in drawing up various documents and dealing with rnatters of insurance, risk registers and safety forms. Treasurerfs Re rtforthe ear endln 31st December 2023 Summa of the Year By the end of the year a balance of £52.357 was held in the church's bank account, most of which was generated from offerings and donations and a grant of £15.000 IN 2022. The
expendlture of the church was mlnimal and hence the surplus funds available. This position has given the financial security as the work of the church continues to grow and develop in 2024, particularly with increased cost of building hire. Other Causes The Trustees have established the principle that City Churth Wolverhampton will gNe proportionately and regularly to other organisations and people who are involved in Christian Gospel related programmes. During 2023 the church gave £1,695 to other cause5 which included support to another Christian charity involved in relief work in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes in that region. Reserves Poli Our present reserve policy says that we shall keep £2rJ)O in reserve. This policy is regularly reviewed, and we have that amount in reserve. The Charity Commission expects the Managin8 Trustees to dectde, publish, implement and monttor their charl5 reserve policy so that thev an comply with their legal duties. Conclusion The Church enters 2024 in a financially stable position, havtng grown in size both numerically and in terrns of its activities. positively impacted the local community, and fulfilled Its purpose of seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ shared in our local community and across the City of Wolverhampton. Structure Governance and Mana ement City Church Wolverhampton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. As such it is solely run by its Trustees {presently 41, with the desire of having 'covenant partners,. Currentlythe church doesn't have a process for fornially recognising these persons, so the body of believers is considered to be those who attend regularly and contribute to the financial needs ofthe church. The church is recognised as a church plant with the goal of being affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evan8elical Churches IFIECI in due course. As such we adhere to their
doctrinal statement and to their other ethos statements whith bring clarfy to our Ilfe and ministry a5 part of that fellowship. Adminlstrative Information Cty Church Wolverhampton has as its regSstered offlce at 11 Blrches Bam Ave, Wolverhampton WV3 7BT and its website http://www.cltychurchwolverhampton.com City Church Wolverhampton's Charity Registration Number is 1193886. The Trustees who have served during 2023 are as follows: Andrew L. Berry (Chairl Rev. Tlrnothy D. Berry ITru5teel Lyn D. Towers (Trustee & Treasurer) Jonathan P. Maggs ITrustee)- reslgned 7th July 2023 Timothy Howard ITru5tee} Declaration The Trustees declare thatthey have approved the above report. Signed on behalf of the Trustees Andrew L. Berry (Chairl Lyn D. Towers (Treasurer) ( CJ>-£* 121,-12G2
I CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ELAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Seclion A Independenl Examiner s Report R•port to tho trusteesl members of Cty Church Wolverttammon On accounts for the year , 31 Oecemlxr 2023 Charfty no Ilf any) Sel out on pages I rep)rt to the twstees on my examlnali¢M of the accounts of the above charityllhe Trusn for the year ended 3111212023 Responslbllltlos and ba$1$ of rnport As the charrty's Iwslees. you are resportsib for fv Fyewalion ol tr accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 nhe W. I report in respect of my examination of Ihe TrtK8fs accounts carried out under seCtn 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have follo1 all the applica10 txredions given by the Chartty Commissi under sedion 145(5)(b) of lh8 Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I corthm that no material matters have examinees statement come to my attention in Connecti ¥th the examinatK)n which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respe&: the aCcoU1rj records were not in accordance with se(aion 130 of the Chiiies Ad,. or the accourts did not xcord wilh the actwnting records: or the accourts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charithgs (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other any requirement that the ac¢ount3 grrfe a Irue aTrJ fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an irthpendent examination. I have ¢m5 and have c(Mne across no other matters in connedion %ith the exarninatn to which attention shoukl be drawn in this report in order to enable a woper undetstKliNJ of the accounts to be reached. ' Pka89 dte th8 in the brackets rfthey £k> not apy. Slgned: [- Jacobus Johannes Swart 1111012024 Relevant professlonal , B.Com (Hons) Managemenl AGGountant quallflcalionls) or body ' Addr•$s: 1 Lake VM¥, Quinta. Oswestry SY10 7LS IER Oct 2018
Section B DT5closure Only comphte rf the axafniner neots to higNight material matters of conLYm (see CC32, Independent examination of drity xmunts: directiorts and Idance for ex*niners). Glve hérn Ilef dotalls of any tt•ms that the oxamimr wish•s to dls¢lo89. no Oct 2018
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WAIES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthè wlod To Section A Receipts and payments Urtrestricted Restricted lunds Endowmenl funds Total funds Lasi year t(tU neJwu¥t £ Wth• thE ne•rest£ totho n8•rgst£ to thè ngaTest £ A1 R¢eelpts Ofteringss Dona# Gift & Barth Inte$[ OtheF Inc Gr8nts R*8i¥ed 19.260 19,260 3.253 18.998 2,182 15,ODO 511 24S11 970 AR) sèt an (see table). investment sal. 24,$11 A3Pa 933 PrapErtyCostS nisten4 8 OthEr Exr Caienng & Retrealcosts PuYItyty & OJtreath SuThlayS¢ Tech Ew1pmt & Licer Grfts toother¢auses Visiltrg Speaker5 561 561 1,891 23 2.328 1.439 1,69S 187 310 187 Sub total 6A65 A4 Asset and investmènt urehas see table Sub total 6.S65 17. 29,026 Net of reeelpW{panefttsJ AS Trdnslers behveen funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 17.946 51357 52.357 34,411 IY1012024 CCXX R1 a(£ouniS ISSI
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds CalecJoriès Restricted funds ¢0 rrest£ Endowment fund$ lo nearest£ De13t15 B1 Cash funds 37.357 Is,Lo Total eash funds $2,357 cr$)1 Unrestrfjcted funds to nÈarEst Restricted funds tts r•rest£ Endowment funds lo nearest £ Details FTrd wwhkh Details Cost Iowionall Cufrfjnl v#1 tional Fund iowhkh Costloptlonall 275 Cunnlvalu9 B4 Assèts retained for thè charity's own use Fund t0hth nt due WheThdue B5 Liabilifie8 Signedby one orkn trustees on behalf of all thè IrL[4t$ SKJnalu Print Nan Date of roval Li Andrtw L 8erry 13-0tt-24