2024-07-31-accounts - Grace Church Kidlington

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Grace Church Kidlington

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 July 2024

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 20 Harts Close Kidlington OX5 1AZ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution dated 29 September 2021 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1196747 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Philip Butcher MANAGING THE CHARITY Katie Bartlett Michael Smith Judith Smith Iain Gray Luke Cornish (appointed 1 September 2023) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB BANKERS Metro Bank Kingdom Bank LEGAL ADVISOR Edward Connor 10 The Point Market Harborough LE16 7QU

INDEX

Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-6 Trustees' Report Page 7 Independent Examiner's Report Page 8 Receipts and Payments Account Page 9 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 10 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024. It contains the following items:

• The annual report of the charity explaining the activities undertaken in the year, how the charity met its public benefit objectives and the way the church is managed.

• The annual financial report for the financial year ended 31st July 2024, the required statements and notes to the accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102.

A. Objectives and Aims

Grace Church Kidlington is a relatively new church having started meeting for Sunday worship in October 2017. We meet and work in Kidlington, a large village 6 miles north of Oxford. The church is a small community-based church which is focused on serving all ages. The church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and has adopted the FIEC’s Basis of Faith as the theological basis of its work. The activities of the church involve the promotion of our beliefs and reaching out to our community and beyond, providing care and sharing our faith. The trustees of Grace Church Kidlington confirm they have had regard for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe they have met the legal requirement of S17 of the Charities Act 2011.

Objectives

the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Kidlington and the surrounding neighbourhood; and
such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of eduation; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need to such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Aims

We aim to be a church enabled by the Holy Spirit to live for God’s glory by:

Growing in understanding and enjoying God’s grace to us in Jesus (UP)
Sharing life together as a community shaped by God’s grace to us in Jesus (IN)
Proclaiming to Kidlington and beyond the Good News of God’s grace to us in Jesus (OUT)

Page 2

B: Activities that further the Charity's objectives

Sundays

On Sundays we have seen some new people join us for our worship services, which include singing, praying and preaching. Activities for children also take place alongside the service most weeks. The sermons are recorded and uploaded straightaway to our website for those unable to attend to listen to. Some of the attenders would say they are not yet Christians, but attend to learn more of the Christian faith.

Twice a month we also run interactive seminars for attenders to learn more about the Christian faith.

Weekdays

We have 2 homegroups that meet weekly in different homes in the village. They have the aim to provide community and care, alongside studying the Bible and praying together.

Raising Awareness and understanding our faith

At the centre of all we do as a church is the teaching of the Bible and encouragement of faith in Jesus. Some of the ways this has been done over the past year include:-

• Sunday services: services take place each Sunday, at 4:00pm.

• Each week a number of Community & Bible study groups meet, in local homes.

• Throughout the year courses run and individuals meet together to work through courses such as Christianity Explored to help explain our faith to those who are interested.

• A number of the members meet up one-to-one to learn more about the Christian faith together & to support each other through life by listening and prayer.

• At the invitation of a local school, our pastor and other members have been able to teach about the Christian faith in assemblies and RE lessons. Our pastor-in-training also helps run a Christian lunch club in the secondary school.

• This past year at their invitation, we have begun taking a monthly service at a local care home. This service ends with a social time, where church members offer friendship and chat to the residents.

Encouraging Mission and Outreach

Grace Church Kidlington remains committed to being outwardly focused, sharing our faith within the local community, more broadly in the UK and through supporting international mission. Outreach events are held throughout the year, in the local area, to which the congregation are encouraged to invite friends and family. This has included special events at Christmas & Easter, social evenings (quiz night), a monthly service in a local care home, an Easter trail for families at a local park, stalls at village events, such as the Christmas Light’s Switch on event & the summer Gala at Exeter Park.

The appointment of a Pastor-in-Training, using a legacy received by the charity has enabled us to have more capacity for community engagement and benefit.

Page 3

One new venture we have begun in 2024 is our International Café. Kidlington has many residents for whom English is not their first language. Our International Café meets weekly and offers a friendly and safe space for such residents to practice their English in a structured environment, as well as making friends and being able to receive help in navigating life in the UK.

We continue to support prayerfully & financially, two mission partners, working in the UK and internationally.

B: Activities that further the Charity's objectives (continued)

Communicating our Faith and purpose

Communicating our faith is a key part of our activities as a church. Most of our activities seek to provide opportunities for those in the local community and beyond to hear the gospel and build the faith of those who believe.

Volunteers

The volunteers within the church help in every aspect of the church’s work. The majority of our members and many of the congregation partner together in our ministries and in practical ways. The trustees recognise that without this many of the church’s activities could not take place.

C: Financial review

Analysis of Income

The income of the church is primarily donations from church members and those associated with the church plus gift aid. Total income was £60.8k.

Analysis of Expenditure

Total costs to the general fund were £89.4K. In the financial year to 31st July 2024 there was a deficit of £28.5k to the general fund.

Reserves

The trustees set an agreed budget each financial year. The treasurer has authority, with relevant consultation with the Trustees and Elders, to work within this budget. Any expenditure outside the budget must be brought before the trustees.

At the end of the 2023-24 financial year the general fund reserve fund stood at £114.6k.

The Trustees have started using the reserves to pay for a Pastor In Training over 4 years as agreed with church members. The Trustees' normal reserves policy will be to maintain 3 months of salary in cash reserves at all times, this being £20K. An emergency meeting would be called if reserves dropped below this level.

Budget 2024-2025

The budget for 2024-2025 was approved by Trustees at their meeting in August 2024.

Income to the general fund for 2024/25 is forecast to be £57k. Spending from the general fund for 2023/24 is forecast to be £96k. Spending will exceed income by £39k.

Page 4

C: Financial review (continued)

Investment Policy

No long term investments are held by the church.

Risks and Uncertainties

The church, and its trustees, are potentially at risk from a number of sources. These risks are managed so as not to expose them to undue risk and trustees are kept informed so that they are able to deal with any situations that may arise. Risks are assessed and mitigated against on an ongoing basis.

The future

The trustees remain committed to using the resources and income of the charity to advance the aims of the church.

D: Structure, governance & management

Grace Church Kidlington is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in December 2021. The church is governed by a Constitution and Handbook. The church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and the South Central Gospel Partnership.

Church membership

Church membership is open to baptised Christians who adhere to the statement of faith and ethical statement, and who are willing to be in active partnership with the church in the work of the gospel. At the year-end church membership stood at 25, of which 2 are junior members. The church members meet regularly to conduct business meetings.

Organisational structure

The church membership elects, from its number, individuals to serve as church officers, who form the trustee body. These officers are Elders, a Safeguarding Officer and a Treasurer. The Elders serve for a term of 5 years and may then be re-appointed. An Elder can serve for a maximum of 10 years before, where possible, taking a break of at least one year. The Safeguarding Officer & Treasurer each serve for a term of 3 years and may be re-elected for up to two further terms before, where possible, taking a break of at least one year.

The Elders are responsible for doctrinal integrity, policy and strategy. The Safeguarding Officer and Treasurer are responsible for practical matters.

The trustees meet at least four times each year and have overall responsibility for the operation of the church. The trustees draw up policies and procedures within which they operate and make decisions. The charity currently has two paid staff members, the pastor Philip Butcher and pastor-in-training Luke Cornish, who serve as elder and trustees. Philip Butcher is the chair of trustees.

Page 5

Responsibilities of trustees

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a 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 and signed on their behalf by:

Philip J. Butcher

Philip J. Butcher (Jan 2, 2025 10:12 GMT) _________ PHILIP BUTCHER (CHAIR OF TRUSTEES)

Jan 2, 2025 Date:_____

Page 6

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Church Kidlington ('the charity') for the year ended 31 July 2024 on pages 8 to 10 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
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.

Archie McDowall

Archie McDowall (Jan 20, 2025 11:44 GMT)

Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jan 20, 2025

Page 7

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Notes *Income receipts* Donations Gift aid receipts Legacies Interest *Total receipts* *Payments* 2 3 *Total payments* Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly	General Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 47,774 - 9,676 - - - 3,393 - 60,842 - 83,691 - 5,700 - 89,391 - (28,549) - - - (28,549) - 143,136 - 114,588 - Unrestricted Funds	2024 £ 47,774 9,676 - 3,393 60,842 83,691 5,700 89,391 (28,549) - (28,549) 143,136 114,588	2023 £
	General Funds £ 47,774 9,676 - 3,393 60,842 83,691 5,700 89,391 (28,549) - (28,549) 143,136 114,588
			48,024 9,084 75,000 251
			132,359
			49,467 7,200
			56,667
			75,692 -
			75,692 67,445
			143,136

The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Prepayments Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year Taxes due Other creditors Fee for Independent Examination	General Restricted funds funds £ £ 29,588 - 85,000 - 114,588 - 759 - 820 - 1,879 - 3,458 - 1,041 - 149 - 864 - 2,054 - Unrestricted Funds	2024 £ 29,588 85,000 114,588 759 820 1,879 3,458 1,041 149 864 2,054	2023 £
	General funds £ 29,588 85,000 114,588 759 820 1,879 3,458 1,041 149 864 2,054
			58,034 85,103
			143,136
			730 720 1,566
			3,015
			656 - 840
			1,496

D Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Philip J. Butcher (Jan 2, 2025 10:12 GMT)Philip J. Butcher

_____ PHILIP BUTCHER (CHAIR OF TRUSTEES)

Jan 2, 2025 Date:_____

The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 9

GRACE CHURCH KIDLINGTON

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have 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 (and cannot) be 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 the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs (see note 4) Ministry expenses Small equipment Rent Insurance Professional fees Independent examination Gifts and hospitality Travel Office costs 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for mission in the UK and overseas: Pioneers UK Ministries Wycliffe Bible Translators Sports Friends	Unrestricted Funds General Restricted funds Funds £ £ 71,578 - 3,421 - - - 4,050 - 219 - 1,483 - 840 - 122 - 385 - 1,594 - 83,691 - 1,800 - 2,400 - 1,500 - 5,700 -	Total 2024 £ 71,578 3,421 - 4,050 219 1,483 840 122 385 1,594 83,691 1,800 2,400 1,500 5,700	Total 2023 £
			38,249 2,420 998 3,975 219 1,075 810 - 171 1,551
			49,467
			1,800 3,600 1,800
			7,200

4 Transactions with related parties

During the year Philip Butcher served as a church leader and was paid a total of £38,775 (2023: £35,913) and received pension contributions of £3,435 (2023: £3,205) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee. These payments are permitted by the charity's governing document. Luke Cornish served a church leader and was paid a total of £28,783 (2023: £0) and received pension contributions of £2,433 (2023: £0) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee. These payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

5 Movement of funds

General funds Total funds	Opening balance £ 143,136 143,136	Receipts £ 60,842 60,842	Payments £ (89,391) (89,391)	Transfers £ - -	Closing balance £ 114,588
					114,588

Page 10