Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church Annual Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 30 September 2024 Charity registration number: 1200432 08/0712025 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Contents Trustees, Annual Report..................................................................... Name, Objectives and Activities.......................................................... Achievements and Performance......................................................... Independent examiner's report.......................................................... Financial Review: .10 Declarations......................................................................................13 DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, I I p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Members of the Board of Trustees on 30 September 2024 Rev Hadgu Yemane Tesfay Mr Mulubrha Bethie Bahta Mr Yohannes Petros Berhane Mr Bereket Yohannes Charity name: Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Chrislian Community Church Charity registration number- 1200432 Registered Address.. as of July 30, 2024 Debresina Mariyam EOCCC Shipcote Terrace Gateshead NE8 4AA DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 21 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Trustees. Annual Report The Board of Trustees presents its report of Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Church (St Mary) for the year ended 3010912024 from 0111012023. The financial statements have been prepared following relevant account policies and Complian￿ with the charity's goveming document and applicable law- the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounls and Report) Regulation 2008 and the latest Charities Statement of Recommended Practice {SORN) Financial Reporting Slandard 102. As amended. Name, Objectives lind Activities Name The name of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Xhe CIO.) is Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox Christian Community Church. The acronym of the CIO is EOTCCC. Objectives Tv cidvclnLC the Eiilieclll Orlliudvx Chribliclii ieligiuri fLlI IFIE beriefil uf Ihe publiG Iliruugli 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 Chrislian Orthodox religion. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for putposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment IScotland} Act 2005 and seclion 2 of the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2008. Summary of thc purposes of thc charity as sct out in its govcrning documcnt. Activities In Complian￿ with their duly under the Charities Act 2011. the Trustees have due regard to guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. In particular. the Acl requires the Trustees to explain how the activities of the charity benefit the public or a section of it. The Trustees believe that the fundamenlal purpose of the Debresina Mariyam Eritrean Orthodox C.hrisli2n c.ommunity c.hurch is lo advance the c.hristian religion And relieve povg.rty and distress from family members. Faith is important, not just for its intrinsic value lo 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. DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 31 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 More specific benefits to the public are demonstrated under the various sections of Ihe report of activities. Truslees 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. Structure, Governance and Management The Charity is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for overall strategic direction, governance, and Complian￿ with legal and regulatory obligations. Day-to-day operations and activities are managed by the Executive Management Committee, also known as the Parish Church Council. This committee oversees the organisation and delivery of Se￿ices, pastoral care, events, and the general administration of the church. The Trustees and the Executive Committee work closely together to ensure that the Charity remains aligned with its objectives and continues to meet the needs of its congregation and the wider community. DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 41 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Appointment of charity trustees Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a tem of three years by a resolulion passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, Ihe charity trustees must have regard to the skills. knowledge and experience needed for the effective adminislralion of the CIO. Every three years the Management Committee may nominale a new Trustees from amongst the membership of the congregation. At the third of their lemi, Trustees must retire from office but may be re*lected 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 potenlial new Trustees. The Committee gives relevant information to potential candidates. and induction and training as appropriate to newly elected Trustees. The officers of the chartty have the responsibility of assessing the skills of the nominates candidates and identifying areas which need strengthening. Organlsatlon The charity is based in the United Kingdom and has been providing services in the North East Of England. Ils congregation comes from all parts of Tyne and Wear. The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly. The Management committee conducts the daY-to￿d2Y running of the charity's activity and reports to the trustees regulady about the administration and activities of the charity. DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 51 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Achievements and Performance The past year has been a significant and Iransfomative period for our church. Despile ongoing challenges in securing a suitable venue in previous years, we are grateful to report that in 2024, the Charity successfully acquired a permanent place of worship. This milestone has allowed us to deepen our service lo the community and expand our religious and pastoral activities. Throughout the year. the church continued to provide weekly Sunday Mass services. Following the appointment of a permanent priest in May 2023, the regular weekly prayer service was elevated to a full Mass servi￿, including Holy Communion. This spiritual enrichment has strengthened the faith life of our congregation. The church also held services during major fasting periods in the Holy Week, as well as regular chrislenings and wedding ceremonies. These events fom an integral part of our religious mission and community life. Our work remains rooted in volunteer support. From welcoming worshippers to assisling in setvices and midweek activities, volunteers from members of the conqreqation have continued to play a vital role in sustaining the life and WOTk of Ihe church. We are deeply thankful for their ongoing commitment and servi￿. We remain blessed by ￿rOng ecumenical ties wth olher Eritrean Orthodox churches in the UK and with our sister Oriental Orthodox communities, including the Coptic Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Indian Orthodox Church. These relationships provide mutual encouragement. unity. and shared purpose in faith. The trustees are confident that, with God's guidance and the continued support of our members, the new building will seNe as a lasting spiritual home and a foundation for future growth and service. Since appointing a pemanent priest in May 2023, the Church now holds weekly Mass services with Holy Communion, replacing the previous monthly fomiat. At present. Sunday seNices remain the core of our religious actlVlty- While no additional regular ServI￿S are in place currently, the board of trustees continue to encourage the Parish Church Council to explore and organise further opportunities for worship, fellowship. and community engagement in the future. Volunteers continue to play a key role in supporting servi￿$ and church activities. Pastoral care is also ongoing, offering spiritual and practical support to those in need. DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 61 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Flnanclal Overvlew For the year ending 21 September 2024. the Charity recorded a net operating loss of £96.265 {2023'. surplus of £97.0921. This variance is primarily due to the strategic purchase of a pemianent place of worship during the financial year, representing a significant long-term investment in the future of the church. Despite the operating loss, the Charity continues to maintain a stable financial foundation. This is thanks to the unwavering generosity of our congregation, as well as the broader Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church community across the UK, who provided vital financial support during this period of growth and transition. Property Acquisition & Loan Support In 2024. the Charity purchased a property for £552.954. This achievement marks a major milestone in our development and provides a permanent spiritual and community home for our members. The acquisition was funded through church reserves, community fundraising, and loans, including £150.000 from Associate Eritrean Orthodox Churches and £86.000 from Newcastle members. We are managing repayments responsibly and remain focused on long- tem suslainability- Plans for 202412025 Develop the new building for regular worship and church communty use. Introduce additional services such as Sunday school servI￿s, midweek prayers, evening prayers during fasting periods andlor Bible study. Strengthen volunteer capacity through recruitment and training. Continue fundraising to support loan repayments and building improvements. Enhance community ties and ecumenical relationships with other Orthodox churches. DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 71 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Members of the Board of Trustees Members of the Board of Trustees who served as directors during 2024 were: Rev Hadgu Yemane Tesfay Mr Mulubrha Bethie Bahta Mr Yohannas Patros Bathan8 Mr Bereket Yohannes Ststement of Flnanclal Responslbllltles 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 reSoUr￿S 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 irregularilies. The Trustees are required to.. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them CA)nsistentiy. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable accounting stan(Jards have been followed, subject to any material departures disdosed and explained in the accounts- and By the order of the Board of Trustees Mulubrhan Bahla Chair of the truslees 30 September 2024 DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 81 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Independent examiner's report STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES DEBRESINA MARIYAM ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH For the year ended 30 September 2024 In accordance with instructions given to us we have prepared without carrying out an audit the annexed ffftancial statements from the accounting records of DEBRESINA MARIYAM ERITEAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH from inforniation and explanations supplied to us. Flannagans Gateshead Chartered Certified Accountanls 7 Bankside The Watennark Metro Riverside Park Gal¢sh¢ad Tyne and Wear NEII 9SY DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 91 p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Financial Review: Statement of financial actNities Including incomè and Èxpendirure ￿COUnt f(￿ the ￿ar ended 21 Septem￿[ 2024 2024 2023 "cns 111.117 1elJ.303 9,1 1.813 IyJ.oDJ 86.0( 518,424 106.518 3T2 116,557 Cost of TrJJe, rel￿ ￿ C￿￿¥￿j 4.114 6.452 5.528 5.710 1616 6.￿7 Hwe cl hal fcrf ser¥Kes In5Jra￿e 710 1159 10.234 552,954 17,327 Equ￿n￿rt for￿ cto FlJrtha5e Of￿￿ 12.583 Heal & INJM 614.689 31,970 Net income ￿1r Cash thjs kist y end Cash Ih's Y￿ end 157.948 61,683 73.361 157,948 DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 10 | p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 CIIARIIY COMMISSIOM FIW Er￿lAND WALES t￿lSn￿N C(X*th￿￿YCNL￿CH Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the pwiod CQ))23 (• Sectson A Recwpts and payments Es)do•Tment fund5 funds Totsi fuhds Af Rtteipts IW.3DY 1JlJ •YJ7 sn Sub totallGro•• lor ARJ $14424 Ism tabl•l. Sv) total .4Z4 •iW4 A3 PayThnts 61¢ &297 SA21 71• 1ty2Jl 17. 1¢¢ fPeS Sub total ¢14 J1)70 A5S•tarrf in¥tslm•rt Sub total Total payments 31.)7Q Il•t of rK•ipts/lpaym•ntsJ A5 Twan51ew5 bElween fund5 A6 Cash ￿$t •nd cash funds this y¢ar*nd 157 15T.S 61.6U n.362 CCU Rl wwtsiss) DEBRESINA MARIAM ¥r MARY ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, 11 | p a g e MOBILE 07868139788 Email.. DEBRE51NANCL GMAIL.COM CHAIRPERSON.'07960955533 lJmS¢thnnei DEBIIESINA MAIUYAM EiimiEM OIIIHOLK)X Annual Report for the year ended 30 Septernber 2024 Section B S&*ement of assets and li*'liti'es al thè end ¢Jf the penod unl￿trIct lunds Re5tnded fund5 Endowmert funds r•Thl£ 81 Cash knds Tolal cash fvn 61.611 fund5 fuDd5 nd5 DEtdils D￿￿415 B4 Assets foi I Fl*J￿5 •r*J fft*rys. 13115 15C C(C Prth Naffte Da* Mulubrhan Bahta 031031202 031031202 Yohannes Birhane CU&R2￿