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2023-12-31-accounts

Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Annual Report for period 15[th] December 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

05.08.2024

Trustees

Trustee name Office Name of body entitled
to appoint trustee
Margaret Cook Board of Trustees
of the Charity
Christopher Paul Walker Church Treasurer
Graham Charles Fuller
Keith Martin
Philip Charles Sparkes Chairman of Trustees

Trustees are appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees, and in accordance with the qualifications listed in the constitution.

Church Property

Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship (The Church) is located at White Elm Road, Woolpit, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP30 9SQ.

The property consists of the main building, Chapel House (which is a residential property attached to the main church building), outbuildings known as “MaryAnne’s” and the graveyard.

Church Governance

Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship was registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Registered Charity Number 1199793) on 26[th] July 2022 and is governed by ‘The Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship CIO Constitution’.

Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship has a Statement of Beliefs which are incorporated in the Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Church Rules

Objectives

The charity’s objectives are set out in the constitution. This sets it out to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within Woolpit and the surrounding neighbourhood.

The trustees are aware and conscious of the statutory obligations placed upon them to ensure that the charity is run for the public benefit, and consider the guidance given and published by the Charity Commission.

Church Activities in 2022 and 2023

These included

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Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Annual Report for period 15[th] December 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

Sunday

Morning Service (including Communion)

Monday

Monday Meet Easter Tea, Summer Tea, Christmas Tea

Tuesday

Bible Study & Prayer Missionary Prayer Meeting monthly

Thursday

House group monthly

Friday

Monthly event: either Girls’ Night, Coffee & Deserts, Quiz Night

We believe that Christianity and the church is good news for society and this is evidenced very much in the objectives and activities of Woolpit Room. The central activity is the weekly meetings for worship, prayer and explanation of the Bible's beneficial relevance to everyday life.

All these meetings are open to all who wish to attend, Christians and nonChristians alike.

Our Sunday morning services have continued throughout the year. These are led either by our church leaders or people who have been invited to come to speak to us. We also held our regular Carols by Candlelight service in December. It was good to have such a good attendance in 2022 – especially as the Football World Cup Final was being played at the same time!

Monday meet continues to be popular with about 20 people regularly attending. A variety of speakers are invited to talk for 15-20 minutes on their chosen topic, and after a break for refreshments and chats, a short Bible-based talk, often connected to the earlier topic, is then given. They enjoyed an afternoon tea at Easter, July, and Christmas.

For our Bible and Prayer Time on Tuesdays, we take a more in-depth look into a book or a character of the Bible, and then pray together. This is usually led by a member of our congregation, although we occasionally invite a visiting speaker. Once a month we focus on a Christian mission organisation.

Our Thursday evening monthly housegroup meeting attracts a smaller group where we informally discuss a Biblical topic. This is a more relaxed, evening which concludes with refreshments. This is usually held in people’s homes.

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Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Annual Report for period 15[th] December 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

In most months, we have held an event, usually on a Friday, which is widely publicised in Woolpit, and has been appreciated by many of our residents. Events included a Cookery Demonstration, Quiz Night (in support of Tear Fund), Dog Display, Harvest Supper, Card-Making Workshop, and Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop.

We have purchased a defibrillator which has been fitted on the outside wall. This is a good facility for people living in the vicinity of our building. A grant from MidSuffolk Council has covered a majority of the cost. Due to medical emergencies, it has been taken on 3 occasions, although, thankfully it was not used.

The increase in the cost of living prompted us to provide a “Friendly Warm Space” during the winter of 2022 and 2023. We opened twice a month on a Friday and provided soup & a roll, cakes and hot drinks free of charge. We also offered free transport for those who would like it. Uptake was not as high as we had expected, but was really appreciated by those who came.

Throughout the year, Phil & Jan, members of the church, looked out for people who have moved into the village, and took them a welcome pack which includes tea, biscuits and information about our services and events at The Room. 81 packs were delivered in 2022/2023 as there is quite a lot of new housing development in Woolpit, which is a real opportunity to show Christian outreach to newcomers to our village.

Support for Christian charities

Restructuring of our Church Governance

Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship was governed by a CUA trust document of 1[st ] June 1894. The purposes and assets of the CUA have been incorporated into the new CIO with the approval of the Charity Commission

Financial report

See also attached financial report. Notable expenditure this year included:

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Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Annual Report for period 15[th] December 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

We are very grateful to God for the financial donations from our regular church attenders, a legacy from a former church attender, gifts from visitors and rental income from Chapel House which has enabled us to meet our expenses for this year.

We have set a reserves figure of approximately £6000

P.C Sparkes. Chairman

09/08/2024

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woolP￿ ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT ACCOUNT For the rlod 15 December 2022 to 31 December 2023 2023 Uniestrftted Reslricted Funds Funds Total Fund5 INCOME Church Income Donation5 HMRC Gift Receipt 14.143 1,788 15,931 1.406 15.549 1.788 17.337 1,406 Other Sour¢e$ of Income Bank Interest Donation for use of hall Legacy frorn Joy Mulley Rent from house 149 350 9,375 6,9CX) 16,774 149 350 9.375 6,900 16,774 TOTAL INCOME 32,705 1,406 34,111 EXPENSES Insurance Speaker Expenses Donations to other causes utility Costs Sundry Expense5 Cleaning Window Cleaning Church Mainteriance Large repairs.. Window5 Wi-fi heating controls D Wilding- Electrical New Notice Board Landscaping R(x)f repair Solicitor costs- conversion to CIO 3.219 1.907 1,389 4.354 1,773 742 540 272 3.219 1,907 3,140 4.354 1,773 742 $40 272 1,751 478 478 406 1,461 406 1,461 474 1,289 21,144 11,561 474 1,289 22,895 11,216 1.751 13451 NEf SURPLUS DEFIC BALANCE INTRODUCED 15,817 27,378 £ 345 16.162 27.378 FUND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD

WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILMES As at 31 December 2023 20Z3 Unrestrlrted Restrfrted Fund$ Funds Total Funds 8ank Balances Gift Aid to be Reclaimed 27,379 936 28,315 27,379 936 28.315 other Assets- Church Bulldl The main asset used by the charity is the church building. This was transferred to the charity by the wav of a deed, drawn up bythe Charity Commission. from the trust on which it was held. This deed was agreed on 14 Decernber 2022. The church buildine is estimated to have a value of £650,000. which includes a Chapel House. from which the charity derives a rent. Inlilal Funds On 14 December 2022 the charity recevied the amount of E16,162 following the deed of transferfrom the un incorporated charity, also known as Woolpit Christian Fellowship. Approved by".- 0910812024 Page 2 Page6of7

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship Annual Report for period 15[th] December 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended 31 December 2023 .

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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

Mark Wallace TEP CTA FCA Walter Wright Chartered Accountants 89 High Street Hadleigh IP7 5EA

09/08/2024

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