## Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church Annual Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 30 September 2023 Charity registration number: 1200432 29/07/2024 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** ## Contents **Trustees’ Annual Report ................................................................................ 3 Name, Objectives and Activities ..................................................................... 3 Achievements and Performance .................................................................... 5 Independent examiner’s report ..................................................................... 7 Financial Review: ........................................................................................... 8 Declarations ................................................................................................. 11** **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 **1 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** Members of the Board of Trustees on 30 September 2023 Mr Mulubrha Berhie Bahta Rev Hadgu Yemane Tesfay Mr Yohannes Petros Berhane Mr Bereket Yohannes Charity name: Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church Charity registration number: 1200432 Registered Address: as of July 30 2024 Debresina Mariyam EOCCC Shipcote Terrace Gateshead NE8 4AA **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** The Board of Trustees presents its report of Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Church (St Mary) for the year ended 30/09/2023 from 21/09/2022. The financial statements have been prepared following relevant account policies and compliance with the charity’s governing document and applicable law - the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulation 2008 and the latest Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORN) Financial Reporting Standard 102, As amended. ## **Name, Objectives and Activities** ## **Name** The name of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“the CIO”) is Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church. The acronym of the CIO is EOTCCC. ## **Objectives** To advance the Eritrean Orthodox Christian religion for the benefit of the public through holding prayer meetings, lectures, public celebrations of religious festivals, and producing and distributing literature on the Eritrean Orthodox religion to enlighten others about the Eritrean Christian Orthodox religion. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document ## **Activities** In compliance with their duty under the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees have due regard to guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. In particular, the Act requires the Trustees to explain how the activities of the charity benefit the public or a section of it. The Trustees believe that the fundamental purpose of the Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church is to advance the Christian religion and relieve poverty and distress from family members. Faith is important, not just for its intrinsic value to the individual, but because it is also often the motivating factor in enabling people to turn their lives around; and equipping them to make effective and relevant contributions to society. More specific benefits to the public are demonstrated under the various sections of the report of activities. Trustees aim constantly to seek ways of increasing the impact and effectiveness of the charity so that they can expand the benefits provided by the charity as widely as possible. ## **Appointment of charity trustees** 1. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. 2. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 3 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** Every three years the Management Committee may nominate a new Trustees from amongst the membership of the congregation. At the third of their term, Trustees must retire from office but may be re-elected by members of the charity. Any person who subscribes to the objects may become a member of the charity, subject to their willingness and fitness for purpose. The Board of Trustees and the Management Committee is responsible for identifying and proposing potential new Trustees. The Committee gives relevant information to potential candidates, and induction and training as appropriate to newly elected Trustees. The officers of the charity have the responsibility of assessing the skills of the nominates candidates and identifying areas which need strengthening. ## **Organisation** The charity is based in the United Kingdom and has been providing services in the NorthEast Of England. Its congregation comes from all parts of Tyne and Wear. The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly. The Management committee conducts the day-to- day running of the charity’s and reports to the trustees every month about the administration and activities of the charity. **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 4 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** ## **Achievements and Performance** The church, despite some challenges of finding the right venue, has made utmost efforts to provide normal church prayer services every Sunday throughout the year and a mass once a month on the last Saturday of each month. In addition, the church held a prayer programme during fasting periods and holy week. The Charity conducted several christenings throughout the year services during the Mass service and wedding services in April 2023. The Church appointed a permanent priest in May 2023, then the weekly prayer service was enhanced to be a Mass service. This means the church started to conduct a holy communion service from once a month to once a week. The church relies on volunteers to function. This is not only during Services, from welcoming people to helping run the service itself, but beyond that to the mid-week small group. God bless those who rise to help vulnerable people in this difficult time. Pastoral care continues as usual helping others is a demonstration of our faith, whether practical, emotional or spiritual. We delight in the ecumenical links that we have with other Eritrean Orthodox churches in the UK ,and in particular the close relationship we have with Oriental Orthodox Churches in the UK such as The Coptic Orthodox Church and the Indian Orthodox Church. By 30 September 2023, the Charity achieved a net operating income of £97,092 (2022: £21,325). The church managed to collect more income this year due to our congregation and church attendants made more donations than they did in the previous year as the church was open to the public without any restriction; we are determinedly looking to acquire a permanent place of worship. The Management Committee's main working priority in the year was strengthening the charity's governance by approaching new trustees with required skills and experience and finding a property for our church. ## **Plans for 2023/2024** The trustees and the Management Committee plan for the coming year include the following: - Revising and working on the key strategic priorities of the church. - Recruiting skilled trustees and Management committee members to strengthen governance. - To find a suitable venue/church to accommodate the service and congregation requirements. - To do special fundraising to purchase the said larger property/ church. **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 5 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** ## **Members of the Board of Trustees** Members of the Board of Trustees who served as directors during 2023 were: Mr Mulubrha Berhie Bahta Rev Hadgu Yemane Tesfay Mr Yohannes Petros Berhane Mr Bereket Yohannes ## **Statement of Financial Responsibilities** Charity Law requires the members of the Board of Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that year. It is also the Trustees’ responsibility to maintain adequate accounting records, safeguard the assets of the charity and take reasonable steps in preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. - State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and By the order of the Board of Trustees Mulubrhan Bahta Chairman of the trustees 30 September 2023 **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 6 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** ## **Independent examiner’s report** **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 **7 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 DEBRFStNA MAIIIYAM EiimiEAN OIITHODOX CHIIISTIAN COMMUNtrY CHUIICH Annual Report for the year ended 30" Septernber 2024 FinancRal Review: Statement of flnanclal actlvltles Includlng Income and expendlture account for the year ended 30 Soptember 2023 2023 2022 Incomin Donations Members subscriptions Interest received gross resources from enerated funds 123,192 7.711 372 131,275 32,259 4.746 37.011 Cost of g&n8ratlng funds Trade, refuse and cleaning Transportion cost for priesupope F¢￿1 and beverage for the congregations Hire of hall for church Se￿IceS 4,132 6.452 5,528 5.710 710 6.945 2,753 3.300 330 156 2,202 Advertisement Equipmentfor the churth Staff cost Printing, postage and stslionery 2,9)0 8.585 166 34,183 15,686 Net income for the year 97.092 21.325 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 73,361 170,453 52.036 73,361 DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNrrY CHURCH, I P a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON..07960955533 DEBRFStNA MAIIIYAM EiimiEAN OIITHODOX CHIIISTIAN COMMUNtrY CHUIICH Annual Report for the year ended 30" Septernber 2024 CHARIIY COIAMISSION FOR ENGIAND INQ W￿1 IS H1115TIAN COIIIAiWITY CHUPQI Receipts and payments accounts CC16a To rt2•2J Section A Recei ts and ments Vnresthrted tund• Resti￿le￿ Enaowrnent Tolal lunds A1 A•¢•1 7.711 trc ID•ard PLMch ti f￿1$ 13137S tsbl•l. 13137 1312TI rtadp T&Jse & ISD Fc¢xl ty the *erA ILY cfu(Th sarvu &71• 71• &71• Waqe5 prt 4.5•S rwJOox *e 14J 11J 34.1 •7.0•2 •Y.Q•2 A5 b•tw••n fun¢l• AB Calh fvndB I￿t •fid 7J.J62 170.484 n.M2 170.4$4 CCXX Rl (SSI IS112r20 DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNrrY CHURCH, 91 P a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON..07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** Mulubrhan Bahta 13/12/2023 **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH,** **10 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533 Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church **Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2024** For the year ending 2023, the charity has taken advantage of the audit exemption conferred by section 477 of the Company Act 2006. No member has required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question following section 476. The trustees acknowledge the responsibility for: (1) Ensuring the charity keeps accounting records which comply with the requirements of the Act, and (2) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the of this financial year following requirements of the Companies Act and related Charity Acts so far as applicable to the charity. The accounts and the financial statements were approved by the board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 13 December 2023. ## **Declarations** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Mulubrhan Bahta Chair of the Trustees. 29 July 2024 **DEBRESINA MARIAM ST MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 11 | P a g e MOBILE** 07868139788 Email: **DEBRESINANCL@GMAIL.COM** CHAIRPERSON:07960955533