## **– Lansdowne Chapel Shefeld Trustees Annual Report for 2023** ## **Introduction** The Trustees are pleased to present their report and accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2023 ## **Administrative information** Lansdowne Chapel Sheffield is an Independent Evangelical Church and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. It was first registered as a CIO on 28/6/22. Charity registration number: 1199468 The Principal Church address is 104, Cemetery Road, Sheffield S11 8SP Contact phone numbers 07576 251312 and 01142580799 Lansdowne Chapel Sheffield (the church) opened in 1892 and has served the people of local area since that time. During 2022 the church adopted a new constitution and applied to the Charity Commission to register as a CIO. This application was accepted and confirmed on 28/06/2022. ## **Objectives and Activities of the Charity** Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document The principal purpose of the church is: *The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Evangelical Alliance Basis of Faith, both in the UK and Worldwide The church may also advance: *Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees further the work of the Church. The activities of the Church may include but are not limited to: - Regular public Worship and Prayer - Bible Study - Teaching and Preaching - Communion (usually twice a month) - Baptism - Evangelism and Mission, locally, National and Worldwide by the support of Missionaries worldwide - The teaching, encouragement and welcome of young people - Giving and encouraging Pastoral Care - Supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and Abroad - Encouraging relationships with local church congregations ## **Summaries of the main activities of the church in relation to its objects** Church services are held at least once a week and are open to members of the local community. Communion is usually observed twice a month and Baptisms are held as appropriate. Each service includes prayers including intercessions. Every Sunday during the church service we offer activities for children and young people from 0 to 18 years of age. We offer a warm, welcoming and multicultural Sunday School (known as Kingdom Kids) with age appropriate crafts, bible learning and lessons for the older children. The work of the church includes outreach to the local community and one of our main projects is a postcard ministry where we design, print and distribute a ‘postcard’ sized card talking about a particular aspect of life and the Christian faith. These postcards contain an invitation to any of the church services and over a thousand are distributed by the church members to the immediate neighbourhood surrounding the church on a regular basis. We hold a Breakfast church service which is open to all the local community and any visitors. A full Breakfast is served at this service to all who wish to participate may attend. We also advance the Christian Faith and further the work of the church in general by financially supporting missionaries in a number of countries and here in the UK. These are noted in our church accounts. We have friendly contact with the local churches and have a particularly close relationship with Central House Church, St Marys Gate, Sheffield. We have regular joint meetings throughout the year with Central House Church and both churches appreciate the support. Within the fellowship of the church we encourage people to belong to our very active Prayer and Fellowship Group on Whatsapp, this enables closer friendship, fellowship and pastoral care throughout the week to take place. The church has kept in touch with various church members who have been unable to attend, for various reasons. We offer regular visits and practical help as required. We also have a fortnightly Zoom prayer group where members of the congregation pray together and make intercessions for the local, national and Worldwide church. ## **Summary of the main achievements and performance of the charity during the year.** ## **Ministry Review** The church has seen an increase in the number of attendees including families with children and our children’s provision has been increased by the introduction of Kingdom Kids to meet this increase. We have had regular visiting speakers from varied denominations throughout the year and also, a regular ‘virtual preacher’ slot provided by Dr Derek Stringer, former Director of Good News Broadcasting Association. We have introduced a new service (scheduled around once a quarter) called ‘Songs of Praise’. This service involves members of the church congregation selecting a personal favourite song/hymn for the church congregation to sing and firstly, introducing it in the service by one or two sentences explaining the reason for their choice. This service also includes testimonies from church members and is a deliberate move by the leadership team to increase the contribution from individual church members. We have marked important Nationwide Occasions during 2023 such as the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles and have had the sad duty of conducting funerals of church members. The outreach of the church has continued with the Postcard Ministry and we have seen people make contact with the church through this regular outreach. ## **Social Media** The church has a website which is fairly basic but is in the process of being expanded and improved. This is an area where our church members with computer/IT backgrounds can get involved. We also have a Facebook page which is regularly updated, at least twice a week. ## **Other congregations** The church also has a French/Congelese Fellowship that uses the building and meets weekly on a Sunday afternoon They use the church in the afternoon and evening and have a growing congregation. They also occasionally use the downstairs church room for fellowship meals and celebrations. It is good to see the church building used all day on a Sunday for services and fellowship. ## **Community resource** A local Drama Group use the church building regularly for rehearsals and they put on regular performances in Sheffield. A local Brass Band use the church building regularly for rehearsals and have done for several years. The church building is a resource that is appreciated and used by various groups. ## Property The building, given the age of the structure, has offered challenges in terms of maintenance. The downstairs toilet roof has been leaking and we will be looking to replace this as soon as possible in 2024. The new boiler is proving to be an excellent choice and is functioning well. It is extremely efficient and takes little time to heat the building well. A new large TV monitor has been installed in the main church space to replace the unreliable projector. This has proved to be a worthwhile investment and has improved clarity and accessibility for word projection and videos/powerpoint presentations in general. We need to give attention to the downstairs lounge (replacement roof required and room refurbishment) and the main church roof in 2024. There are slipped slates on the main roof and water leaks in the downstairs lounge. Grateful thanks for the faithfulness of those who volunteer and assist with day to day cleaning and maintenance in and around the church building. ## **Public benefit that is provided by the charity** The objectives of the Church and the public nature of the activities carried out to fulfil them, coupled with the open and free invitation to members of the public to participate in them, means they are accepted by the Charity Commission as giving rise to a public benefit. So, by working to meet our objectives, we are delivering a recognised public benefit. The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance provided by the Charity Commission on public benefit in planning and managing these activities throughout the year. ## **Structure, governance and constitution of the Charity.** **The Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. The Church was registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales ON THE DATE OF 28 June 2022.** There are 4 Trustees and **a** ll Charity Trustees must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the Statement of Faith. ## **This report was approved by the Trustees on 27/9/24** ## **Signature** Onkar Singh – chair of the trustees