Freedom Church (Ceredigion) Working name of Freedom Community Church Report of Trustees, year end 31st December 2023 Charity Registration Number 1197658
Freedom Church (Ceredigion) Working name of Freedom Community Church Report of Trustees, year end 31st December 2023
Reporting Period
Freedom Community Church (‘FCC’) is registered as a CIO with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. This report covers the period 1st January 2023 up to 31st December 2023.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity of FCC is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by the constitution dated 25th January 2022. This constitution is formed using a pre-agreed format between the Charity Commission and Assemblies of God Great Britain Incorporated (AoGGB) for their status churches.
The CIO Foundation model constitution remains the governing document for this church located in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
Trustees may be appointed by ordinary resolution by the members, or by a decision of the trustees. The trustees for 2023 remained as those appointed as initial trustees and during the year they met online for quarterly meetings. There has been regular contact between The Chair and Treasurer outside of these meetings to ensure relevant actions are undertaken and completed. The policies for FCC have been adhered to and updated as necessary, quarterly meetings provide a minuted record of these.
The Chair of Trustees is also the Lead Pastor of FCC, as is common within AoGGB status churches and the constitution.
Objectives and Activities and Achievements for Public Benefit
The constitution for FCC to operate as a CIO was accepted in January 2022 upon registration with the Charity Commission in that same month.
The objectives of the charity as set out in the Constitution (“the Objects”) are for the benefit of the public:
-
(a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement in such ways and in such parts of the UK or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time may think fit.
-
(b) to relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the UK or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time think fit.
-
(c) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees and Leadership from time to time may think fit.
It is the trustees’ submission that these objects are achieved through the running of a church based in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
The registered office for the charity was moved to Aberystwyth Football Club during this period.
1
Sunday worship meetings, open to and attended by members of the public, were held weekly throughout the year with the regular meeting venue of the church now established at the hired local primary school.
Midweek meetings were held by the church, meeting in attendees’ homes for Bible study, prayer and exploration of the Christian faith. This saw growth in attendees and engagement throughout the year.
The charity has continued working to support local families within the community through our ‘Aber Dads’ project. This project includes fun clubs for fathers and their children, peer support and parenting courses/mentoring.
The vehicle previously purchased in 2022 for both this project and regular church activities, has been maintained under the management and cost of FCC.
The charity experienced significant growth of ‘Messy Church Goes Wild’ as a monthly worship gathering in which food is provided to those attending. These events continued to be advertised to and open for the public to attend, as with all worship meetings.
In July 2023 the charity worked with a local primary school to supply under-resourced families with brand new backpacks, filled with essential stationery and Bibles, for their children moving from primary to secondary school.
In September 2023 the charity began a fortnightly youth group, meeting in a local community hall hired by the charity. Through strong links with local secondary schools and families this youth group has begun with growing popularity, fulfilling the charitable objectives.
In December 2023 the charity worked with a local Domestic Abuse support charity to provide gifts and aid to under-resourced families during the Christmas period.
The church was able to welcome significant numbers of visitors and growth during Christmas Services held at the local primary school, demonstrating meaningful connections and engagement with the local community throughout 2023.
The church is led by Jonathan and Carly Butler as Pastors, with Jonathan an accredited minister with AoGGB.
The church began employing Jonathan as Church Pastor on a part-time basis as of 1st May 2023. This decision was made giving due attention to conflict of interest and in keeping with the Governing Document of the charity. Carly remains a volunteer in her role.
As Pastors they (JB and CB) lead and are responsible for the spiritual direction of the church. A ‘Core Team’, made up of volunteers, from within the church continued meeting through the year and saw changes as new people joined the church and others moved away from the locality. This team again enabled the church to grow in serving the local community through the charity’s objectives.
The trustees have taken account of the Charity Commission’s guidance and believe that they demonstrate that public benefit has been provided through seeking to meet the spiritual
2
and pastoral needs of people in the local community through FCC’s activities and services as summarised above.
Accounts preparation
The accounts have been prepared to comply with the accounting principles of charity’s governing document, and the Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees have prepared and attached accounts for this reporting period ending 31 December 2023.
Financial Review
The charity’s treasurer has provided the Unaudited Accounts 2023 report (at Appendix A ). The charity made a net gain of £5,143 for the year - further details below in Appendix A.
Reserves
In line with the Unaudited Accounts report, as at the 31st December 2023 the charity had cash in the bank of £20,939 which will be utilised to continue to grow and develop the work of the church into 2024. This is well within the trustee agreed reserves policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds for six months of payments and the approved budget for 2024.
Trustees and Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records in order to prepare these annual financial statements, and where necessary for Independent Examination.
Trustees: Mr Jonathan Butler (Chair) Mr Mark Jarvis (Treasurer) Mr Andrew Tiffen (Secretary) Mrs Rachel Tiffen Mr Paul Hutchtings Mrs Nicola Hutchings Mr Timothy Robertson
Administration and Reference details
WORKING NAME OF CHARITY: Freedom Community Church
REGISTERED OFFICE:
℅ Aberystwyth Football Club, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1197658
PRINCIPAL BANKERS: Lloyds Bank, Bristol
Signed:
Jonathan Butler, Chair of Trustees
Date: 20/09/2024
3
Signed:
Mark Jarvis, Treasurer Date: 20/09/2024
4
2023 Unaudited Accounts
1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023
Prepared by Mark Jarvis (Trustee)
Prepared on 20 September 2024
Unaudited account to cover 2023
Table of Contents
Overview Description ......................................................................................................................................3 2023 Financial Activity.....................................................................................................................................4 Balance Sheet as at Dec 31st 2023 ................................................................................................................6
2/6
Overview Descri tion p
Freedom Community Church was set up as a CIO on 25th January 2022. This report covers the financial activities and accounts for 2023.
In order to provide a bit of colour to the following reports, please see the below notes;
2023 Financial Activity is compared to 2022 for reference, some of the sections are updated as we establish a clear chart of accounts approach.
2023 Balance Sheet shows we ended the year up on the start of the year, with just over £21k of Net Assets, a YtY increase of £5k driven by generosity of giving.
3/6
2023 Financial Activity
January - December 2023
| 2023 Financial Activity January - December 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total | ||
| Jan - Dec 2023 | Jan - Dec 2022(PP) | |
| INCOME | ||
| Charitable Activites Income | 1,438.45 | 2,660.00 |
| Donations and legacies | 1,531.25 | |
| Cash Donations | 331.60 | 535.25 |
| Gift Aid Reclaims | 2,740.23 | 510.00 |
| Non Regular Giving (Gift Aid) | 4,240.50 | 340.00 |
| Non Regular Giving (Non Gift Aid) | 2,818.98 | 2,430.00 |
| Regular Giving (Gift Aid) | 5,580.00 | 2,170.00 |
| Regular Giving (Non Gift Aid) | 1,730.00 | 640.00 |
| StewardshipIncome(GA alreadyclaimed) | 3,495.18 | 2,069.97 |
| Total Donations and legacies | 22,467.74 | 8,695.22 |
| Sales | 74.19 | |
| Uncategorised Income | 18.00 | 7.30 |
| Total Income | 23,998.38 | 11,362.52 |
| TOTAL | 23,998.38 | 11,362.52 |
| EXPENDITURES | ||
| Advertising/Promotional | 542.45 | 145.52 |
| AOG 3% Giving | 499.92 | 269.96 |
| Auto | 2,205.76 | |
| Discipleship Costs | 329.19 | |
| Equipment | 1,391.35 | 8,457.40 |
| Events | 893.15 | 172.61 |
| Insurances | 715.37 | 911.88 |
| Local Mission Costs | 729.79 | 497.24 |
| Mission Giving | 395.00 | 267.50 |
| Other Professional Services | 34.00 | |
| Payroll Expenses | ||
| Taxes | 208.50 | |
| Wages | 4,056.00 | |
| Total Payroll Expenses | 4,264.50 | |
| Phone Costs | 156.96 | 50.00 |
| Printing, Postage and Stationery | 6.10 | 25.88 |
| Purchases | 46.00 | |
| Rent of Buildings | 4,668.00 | 2,914.00 |
| Subscriptions & Memberships | 747.84 | 717.55 |
| Sunday Service Costs | 420.99 | 522.08 |
| Team Appreciation | 385.76 | 186.35 |
| Training | 177.00 | 464.51 |
| Travel and Accommodation | 405.00 | 138.58 |
| Uncategorised Expense | 7.30 | |
| Total Expenditures | 18,968.13 | 15,794.36 |
4/6
| Total | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2023 | Jan - Dec 2022(PP) | |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | 5,030.25 | -4,431.84 |
| OTHER INCOME | ||
| Other Income | 113.18 | 34.67 |
| Total Other Income | 113.18 | 34.67 |
| OTHER EXPENDITURES | ||
| Other Expenditure | 0.92 | 2.67 |
| Total Other Expenditures | 0.92 | 2.67 |
| NET OTHER INCOME | 112.26 | 32.00 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | £5,142.51 | £ -4,399.84 |
5/6
Balance Sheet as at Dec 31st 2023
As of December 31, 2023
| Balance Sheet as at Dec 31st 2023 As of December 31, 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total | ||
| As of Dec 31, 2023 | As of Dec 31, 2022(PP) | |
| FIXED ASSET | ||
| Total Fixed Asset | ||
| CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND | ||
| 0001 Lloyds Business Current Account | 10,868.63 | 15,900.16 |
| 0002 Lloyds Saving | 10,070.04 | |
| Total Cash at bank and in hand | 20,938.67 | 15,900.16 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 20,938.67 | 15,900.16 |
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Payroll Liabilities | ||
| HMRC | -104.00 | |
| Total Payroll Liabilities | -104.00 | |
| Total Current Liabilities | -104.00 | 0.00 |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within oneyear | -104.00 | 0.00 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS(LIABILITIES) | 21,042.67 | 15,900.16 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 21,042.67 | 15,900.16 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £21,042.67 | £15,900.16 |
| CHARITY FUNDS | ||
| Retained Earnings | 15,900.16 | 20,300.00 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 5,142.51 | -4,399.84 |
| Total Charity funds | £21,042.67 | £15,900.16 |
6/6