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
- We hosted, what has now become, our annual coffee morning in March, to support the Marie Curie charity.
- We have links with some Christian-based organisations and individuals, and we make financial gifts to help with their activities in accordance with our objectives.
- We have a particular link with some Christians abroad, and our “Monday
- Meet” group regularly support them financially.
- We also support the Stowmarket Food Bank with donations of food items. We also made a cash donation when Hazel Smith, from the Stowmarket Food Bank, came to talk about their work.
## 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:
- Edward Conner Solicitors fees
- Building Maintenance costs
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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
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## 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:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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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