ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
CHARITY NUMBER: 1198284
TRUSTEES:
MR JEFFREY LAWS MR RYAN NEAL JOHNSON MR CHRISTOPHER DAVID STATTER MR AUSTIN IYEDE
BANKERS:
METRO BANK ONE SOUTHAMPTON ROW LONDON WC1B 5HA
ACCOUNTANT :
OPEN BOOKS CONSULTANCY LTD (CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS) 4 COLEMAN ROAD BELVEDERE DA17 5AN
1
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) TRUSTEES’ REPORT
2) EXAMINER’S REPORT
3) INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
4) BALANCE SHEET
5) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNT
6) ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
2
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report together with the accounts for the period ended 31 DECEMBER 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice and applicable law.
Charity name: ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
Charity registration number: 1198284
Charity’s principal address: 32 BOURNEWOOD ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 2AU
Trustee names: JEFF LAWS, CHRIS STATTER, RYAN JOHNSON & AUSTIN IYEDE
BACKGROUND & GOVERNANCE
Abbey Wood Community Church (AWCC) was started in September 2016 by a few members of the Slade Evangelical Church. It received Charitable status by the Charity Commission in March 2022 and was affiliated with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) in October 2023. AWCC is led by four Pastors/Elders who are also the Trustees; Chris Statter who is employed full time by the church, Ryan Johnson who is supported financially by a range of churches in the USA, Jeff Laws is a retiree and former headteacher and Austin Iyede who is self-employed and the church’s/charity treasurer.
All the Trustees are DBS checked as are the leaders and helpers in the children’s and young people’s activities.
The Trustees meet at least twice a month to consider their own learning, discuss the work of the church in fulfilling its objectives, determine appropriate teaching, evaluate the various activities, pray about new opportunities, consider leadership issues and review the financial situation.
OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES & PERFORMANCE
AWCC exists and seeks to function for the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily but not exclusively within Abbey Wood and the surrounding neighbourhood (See 3.1.1 of the Constitution) and its vision is, “to be a church family of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds who worship God and follow Jesus in the power of the Spirit according to God’s word”.
The overall congregation is very diverse, with a range of ages, different backgrounds and nationalities who are keen to gather for worship and learn the Christian faith. Throughout 2024 the church has held two back-to-back morning services at 10:30am and 11:45am at Lesnes Abbey Lodge in Lesnes Abbey Park, New Road SE2 0AX. These services/gatherings include the opportunity to sing and pray and include teaching on the Christian faith. There is provision for separate teaching for primary school age children with experienced teachers who have DBS clearance.
3
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
Some members and attendees of the church have met regularly midweek in homes and online (Zoom) for Bible study. There have also been sperate men’s and women’s Bible study groups meeting monthly. Occasionally we have run a course called “3-2-1: Life according to Jesus” for those seeking answers regarding faith or are relatively new to the Christian faith. Additionally, some members have received leadership training.
ANNUAL TRUSTEES’ REPORT 2024
The youth continue to meet every Sunday evening along with the young people from the Slade Church, which hosts the meetings. Some young people attended the annual ‘Transform Camp’ in partnership with the Slade.
In May we held out first ever Church weekend away at Otford Manor which was attended by over 60 of the church family including young people and children, with Tony Merritt (a previous leader of AWCC) as the speaker.
At Christmas we held four very different guest services and events. 15,000 invitations were delivered to local homes. We had a good number of guests join us as we put on our annual ‘Nativity Walk Through’ in the Lodge. Visitors were led through four scenes with actors from the Christmas story. A narrator explained the significance of the Christmas story and its relevance today. We held an international service which included people representing various parts of the world. Another service was a multi-media presentation from the perspective of the Kings/Wise Men and on Christmas Eve we held a Carols by Candlelight service.
In addition to these, the church has sought to fulfil its other charitable purposes of putting into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith and consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements, in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook (see 3.1.2 of the Constitution). This has been in various and diverse ways:
1. FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL WORK AT GREENWICH UNIVERSITY
We have continued to contribute to the support of Kirsten Wynn as an international students’ worker and Chaplain at the University of Greenwich and Cluster Team Leader for Sussex, London and Kent.
2. KIDS CRAFT STALL
Once a month on a Sunday we provide free kids crafts and free Christian children’s books at a stall at the Lesnes Abbey Producers’ Market held in the Monks’ Garden at Lesnes Abbey Woods situated alongside the Lodge where we meet.
3. KIDS KLUB
A youth team from Global Church, Miami came in July to help us put on a weeklong Summer Kids Klub at Lesnes Abbey Lodge. The team helped with games, craft, singing, mime, drama and teaching from the Bible.
4
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
4. LOCAL SCHOOL
We have assisted a local primary school with their fund-raising fairs and were invited to run a version of the ‘Christmas/Nativity Walk Through’ at the school which included all the pupils.
5. MANIPUR RELIEF
Through our Christmas offering sent in January 2024 and various other fund raising events throughout the year we were able to send over £3000 in relief (food, medicines and blankets) to displaced Christians facing persecution in Manipur (N E India).
6. MONEY COACHING (CAP)
Seven church members have received training from CAP (Christians Against Poverty) in running money coaching courses. Plans are in hand to run courses in 2025.
7. NATIVE SCHOOL
We have continued to provide financial support to help towards the running of a Christian primary school in India that provides education, meals and clothes to children from a very poor and marginalised community in Andhra Pradesh.
8. PAINT IN THE PARK
During August we held weekly painting workshops with step-by-step tutorials at Lenses Lodge with a mixture of church congregation with people from the local community. Due to its popularity and success it will be a regular event in 2025.
9. PRISON FELLOWSHIP
Partnering with Prison Fellowship in looking at ways to support prisoners and their families and visiting Rochester and Belmarsh to assist with the Sycamore Tree course; aimed at helping prisoners to look at the impact of offending on others and how to avoid reoffending. In March 25 a new initiative was launched for bereaved prisoners.
10. SAFE FAMILIES
Church members regularly meet with local individuals/families to give emotional and practical support.
11. XLP BUS & TRANSFORM YOUTH MISSION
We have collaborated with the Youth charity XLP, by assisting in their mobile youth bus outreach to young people in Abbey Wood on a Wednesday afternoon and also helping out at a Friday night Youth club called Transform Youth Mission run by Church Army.
Our plan is to be able to continue these activities and provide these services to the local community and beyond throughout 2025. We would also consider other opportunities that would be covered by our charitable purposes.
5
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
Review of financial position
Please refer to the annexed account for the details of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2024.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Charities Act requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are requested to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Trustees
The members of the trustees during the year were
-
Mr Jeffrey Laws
-
Mr Ryan Neal Johnson
-
Mr Christopher David Statter
-
Mr Austin Iyede
Approval
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 20 June 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
MR AUSTIN IYEDE DATE: 20/06/2025
Signed
6
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of "ABBEYWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH”
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the period ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 8 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts (under section 43(3) (a) of the 1993 Act);
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43(7) (b) of the 1993 Act); and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
-
to prepare accounts which comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Adeyemi Adegbola FCCA
7
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
Reported in GBP (£)
8
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024 QABBEVWOOD cofflmunity church Balance sheet Reported in GBP {£) Class and code Desrri tioll TILIS ear Fix8d asséts Total Fknodassds 0.00 Currollé assets 80.108 86.108 Total Current assets LlabilttiÈs Tdal Liabili¢ies 0.00 Net Asset surylD5ldeficill Re5ervÈs ExcL%S I(defitI to date starti b3J3Lce5 Tfjtal RÈser4'es 86.168 86,108 Represerlted byfunds Ulltestricted Desig3 Restrjcted 86.168 statsment of assets and liabilities ated Restcted Endowment Last ear FvAed assety-Tangibk D3SEts Sound Equipment- Computer Equlpmeni- Depréo4tion- CoMputgr- Deprtioation- F&F- To*a CuNent as$ets- Cash at bank and In hthrsd Mdro- FlaSn- 86.168 86.168 69.830 Tothls 86,16B 86,168 69,83D CuTh•nt assets- D•btots Prepaid expetb8es- Toia LkblIft$-crethrt0rs'. Amounts falllng In ygar Accounts Payabl@- Tola Grand total 86.168 69.83D
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024 QABBEVWOOD cofflmunity church Fund movemellt by t)Te Openthg OutEolng Transfers GaJLsllosses Closlng Cenerai.oiferJllE urjrelCted SuTrt+tI1orctrnl l¥lJ12 134974 16J3B Desigtut&l Sob-totAI foT¥ll&T•l Gnnd total Offering. 151J12 IJU74 16J38 io
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT - DECEMBER 2024
- Accounting policies
• Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
• Basis of preparation
Abbeywood Community Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS
- The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
• Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
• Income and endowments
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
- Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable, and the amount can be reliably measured.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading those aggregate similar costs to that category.
11
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT - DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
• Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
• Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories
covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
• Tangible fixed assets
The charity did not procure any fixed asset in the financial year. However, the policy is that any individual item of fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
• Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
| Asset class | Depreciation method and rate |
|---|---|
| Land and buildings | No depreciation |
| Fixtures and fittings | 10% reducing balance |
| Motor vehicles | 25% straight line |
| Equipment | 25% straight line |
No depreciation is charged to freehold property (land and buildings) as the property is maintained to such a standard that the estimated residual value is not less than cost .
• Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade
12
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
discounts due.
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT - DECEMBER 2024 (continued)
• Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other shortterm highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
• Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
• Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
• Pensions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
13
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024
ABBEY WOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
Analysis of income and expenditure Reported in GBP (£)
14