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2022-12-31-accounts

Cedars Church Stowmarket

Registered Charity No. 1197098

(Incorporating Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1138981 which converted to Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1197098)

Trustees Annual Report for the combined entities for the twelve months ended 31[st] December 2022

CEDARS CHURCH STOWMARKET

Contact Address: 5 Market Place Stowmarket IP14 1DT

Email: info@cedarschurch.com

Registered Charity No. 1197098

Contents

C. Objectives, associations and activities

D. Administration and performance

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Registered Charity No. 1197098

Combined annual report of trustees for the period ending 31[st] December 2022 for both Cedars Church Charity No. 1138981 which converted to Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1197098

Section A. Reference and administration details

i up until 24[th] May 2022

Charity name: Cedars Church Registered charity number: 1138981 Charity’s contact address: 5 Market Place Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1DT

Place of meeting: Cedars Park Community Primary School, Pintail Road, Stowmarket IP14 5FP Email: info@cedarschurch.com

Trustees: C Frost, J Moore-Crispin & C Oliver (Chair of Trustees)

i as from 24[th] May 2022

Charity name: Cedars Church Registered charity number: 1197098 Charity’s contact address: 5 Market Place Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1DT Place of meeting: Cedars Park Community Primary School, Pintail Road, Stowmarket IP14 5FP Email: info@cedarschurch.com

Trustees: C Frost, J Moore-Crispin & C Oliver (Chair of Trustees)

Staff worker: The church has one full time employed Pastor, who is also a Trustee, namely J Moore-Crispin

Section B. Structure, governance and management

Governing documents (legal):

Cedars Church was registered as a charity in 2010 (charity number 1138981) governed by Trust Deed until it was removed from the register in 2022 following the Church status being converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1197098). The Church is now governed by the following documents:

  1. Cedars Church Constitution (Association Model)

  2. Cedars Church Handbook

Governing documents (spiritual):

Cedars Church has its Basis of Faith incorporated into its governing documents. The church handbook includes doctrinal distinctives and ethical statements providing guidance for trustees and members.

Bodies responsible for governance and management:

The trustees provide the legal oversight of the church and the elders have a pastoral brief and oversee the spiritual life of the church, ensuring that the church fulfils its objectives, with support from coordinators within the church. The members of the church are responsible within the church to make the strategic and spiritual decisions for the church using an election and vote system.

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The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year and the church members meet at least twice a year.

Safeguarding and Policies:

The church operates a safeguarding policy which is available in the church records from the Safeguarding Co-ordinator. Any other Church policies are available from the trustees.

SECTION C. Objectives, associations and activities

Objectives:

Cedars Church's objectives are to advance the Christian faith, in accordance with the Basis of Faith set out in the constitution, primarily but not exclusively within Stowmarket, Suffolk and the surrounding neighbourhood. And, such other charitable purposes, as shall in the opinion of the trustees, put into practise the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements. The church is active in Cedars Park community, and where appropriate further afield, looking to minister to and help as appropriate with needs and hardships and to promote social welfare through the provision of resources and activities, including that of counselling and support.

The vision of the church is to be a Jesus centred people longing to see lives transformed in Stowmarket and beyond. Our goals are to provide a spiritual home, teaching, encouragement and support for followers of Jesus who do life together; to enable appropriate Christian outreach to those who wouldn’t call themselves Christians; to provide support, Christian love and compassion to those in need in our local communities; and to support the work of Christians around the world in spreading the love of Jesus Christ.

Associations:

The church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) uniting around their Doctrinal Basis and Ethos Statements, which it holds in common with other member churches [ https://fiec.org.uk ]. The church has affiliations, both local and national, with other like-minded Christian organisations and partnerships with Christian mission agencies to help advance the Christian faith and share the good news in word and deed.

Church activities:

Cedars Church is rooted in the local community of Cedars Park community, Stowmarket and the church meets in Cedars Park Primary School, a place that is central to the life and activity of the families in the community, with the Community Centre right next door. Relationships with the School and the Community centre are vital and valued as the church serves in the community.

The church managed its responsibilities during the period in respect of the pandemic, with the risks addressed for both practical and financial circumstances.

The activities of the church can be found on the website [ https://www.cedarschurch.com/ ] working with all ages in the community to benefit them with practical care as well as a spiritual concern, including –

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The church provides opportunities to study the bible, explore the Christian faith, learn spiritual disciplines, grow in faith and share in life’s circumstances by introducing people to Jesus Christ as not just a historical person, but as the living Son of God, who is the answer to our deepest needs and the fulfilment of our life’s purpose.

SECTION D. Administration and performance

Administration and performance:

A small group of Trustees have the overall responsibility for the oversight and governance of Cedars Church. These trustees recognise and are extremely grateful for all that happens on a day-to-day basis due to the wonderful dedication of members and volunteers connected to the church. These volunteers include Elders and Coordinators, alongside group activity leaders, who generously contribute innumerable hours and through sacrificial financial giving. It is because of them that the church is able to have a public benefit to the community.

The church leadership is responsible for the pastoral and spiritual oversight of church life and for practical administration. The leaders acknowledge their responsibilities pertaining to managing risk, both financial and operational, reviewing and planning church activities in light of this and making informed collective decisions, considering risks and benefits as they regularly meet. Records of these meetings are maintained and filed. Appropriate insurance policies, including public liability and employers’ insurances and copyright licenses are in place.

New leaders are appointed, with agreement of the membership, by the existing leadership (trustees) from among the members of the church.

The church manages its financial commitments and resources and works to an annual budget, as agreed by the membership for the year ahead. As a responsible employer there is an awareness of the additional care that must be taken with the finances. The trustees manage the budget with prudence, ensuring that a combination of the current level of income (through giving) and the reserves held will be sufficient to meet our obligations. For 2022, a surplus accumulated. The ‘reserves policy’ is noted under the Financial Review and there is an understanding of the need to manage risk around issues such as possible fraud and money laundering and ensuring that funds are used appropriately, with suitable controls in place for handling and recording monies.

The church gives 10% of its income to support mission partners in sharing the gospel.

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At 31st December 2022, there were 58 (2021: 50) in membership, with many more people regularly at our meetings and regular services. The church income increased in the period and is sufficient to meet the current needs of the church and its goals in serving the community as it invests time, resource and funds into the activities of the church.

Public benefit:

The trustees have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2022 & 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. The charity believe that Christianity and the church is good news for society and this is evidenced very much in the objectives, activities, associations, achievements and performance highlighted in this report. Many people, directly and indirectly, have been positively impacted by the holistic approach of Cedars Church to serve people of faith, other faiths or of no faith at all.

SECTION E. Financial review

Bank accounts:

The Co-operative Bank, Queen Street, Ipswich IP1 1SW

Accounting procedures:

The Trustees, with the support of the church’s Treasurer, have fulfilled their responsibility to prepare accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2022, using the receipts and payments method of accounting and subject to an independent examination.

As explained earlier in this Report, the Charity transferred in 2022 into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which is now a fully functioning new legal entity. The accounts prepared are for the year to 31[st] December and represent the activities of the church for the year, whilst it held Trust status under charity registration 1138981 and when it converted to CIO status under charity registration 1197098.

Financial summary and Reserves Policy:

Incoming total resources in 2022, were £88,972 and resources expended £75,469 reflected a better than expected outcome against. The charity will continue in 2023 to budget and operate within a reserve, which is in place to cover a minimum of five months of budgeted and foreseen expenditure, which follows best practice recommendations appropriate for a charity of this size. At present this means that the minimum reserve level is £31,000. The trustees receive regular financial reports submitted during the year. The church gives thanks to God for all His provision.

Financial Accounts in 2022:

See separate filed report with the Charity Commission.

Independent Examiner:

G Brown, 35 Aldis Avenue, Stowmarket IP14 2PE

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Conclusion:

All the trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's General Guidance for the conduct of a charitable organisation, as published on the Charity Commission's website. They keep this guidance in mind in their deliberations and are committed to complying with it in every way that their conscience allows. The Leadership, for their part, have considered the specific guidance on the advancement of religion. This return and report have endeavoured to have due regard to the guidance and legal requirements.

SECTION F. Declaration

Approved by the Trustees of Cedars Church on 9[th] March 2023 and signed on their behalf by: Mr C Oliver, Chair of Trustees & Mr C Frost, Trustee

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Cedars Church

Stowmarket

Registered Charity No. 1197098

(Incorporating Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1138981 which converted to Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1197098)

Cedars Church has undertaken registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation – Association (CIO) and following registration (number 1197098) on 14th December 2021, funds and assets were received from the existing Cedars Church (Trust status) Charity Registration Number 1138981 on 24th May 2022. The Charity 1138981 was subsequently removed from the Charity Commission.

Receipts and Payments for the combined entities for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022

Cedars Church, Stowmarket

Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 December 2022

Receipts £ Payments £
Collections GASDS 2,590.70 Children’s Library 625.96
Collections not Gift Aided 17,480.00 Catering 194.80
Gift Aided Giving 41,790.00 Church Outing(awayday) 136.43
HMRC Gift Aid 16,648.68 Compassion UKJunior Church 336.00
Other Income 500.00 Edward Connor (Solicitors) 1,119.60
Equipment 409.00
Cedars Tots 228.41 FIEC & EA Affiliation Fees 1,560.00
Cedars Tuckshop 892.91 Insurance 404.43
GardeningProject 200.00 Miscellaneous 48.90
Sizewell weekend(attendees) 3675.00 Mission (other costs) 4,012.42
Ukraine Appeal 4,773.89 Mission Gifts 8,151.60
Compassion UK 192.08 Outreach Events 979.22
Pastoral Fund 100.00
Rent: CommunityCentre 2,412.00
Rent: School/Red House 7,594.50
Salary, Pension & HMRC 35,347.92
Sizewell Weekend(church) 432.47
Speakers 1,620.00
Youth & Junior Church 484.75
Cedars Tots 0.00
Cedars Tuckshop 657.94
GardeningProject 200.00
Sizewell Weekend(attendees) 3675.00
Ukraine Appeal 4773.89
Compassion UK 192.08
TOTAL 88,971.67 TOTAL 75,468.91
Bank 31/12/21- see below 71,634.38 Bank 31/12/22- see below 85,137.14
160,606.05 160,606.05
Bank Reconciliation
Balance per statement 31/12/21
Unbanked cash 31/12/21
0.00
Net balance		 71,633.88
0.50
71,634.38		 Bank Reconciliation
Balance per statement 31/12/22
Unbanked cash 31/12/22
Net balance
85,137.14
85,137.14

Cedars Church, Stowmarket

Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 December 2022

Receipts - Knoc £ Payments - Knoc £
Kenyan Needy Orphans & Children Kenyan Needy Orphans & Children
Collections 570.00 To Knoc Programme 0.00
TOTAL 570.00 TOTAL 0.00
Bank 31/12/21- see below 5,942.55 Bank 31/12/22- see below 6,512.55
6,512.55 6,512.55
Bank Reconciliation
Balanceper statement 31/12/21		 5,942.55 Bank Reconciliation
Balanceper statement 31/12/22
6,512.55

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have examined the accounts of Cedars Church for the year ended 31st December 2022 (incorporating Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1138981 which converted to Cedars Church Registered Charity No. 1197098).

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

Mr G Brown Honorary Independent Examiner

Approved Date – 03/02/2023

(and 22/06/22 for charity 1138981)