2023-12-31-accounts - Light Of Life Baptist Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 5/12/22 to 31/12/23

Charity name: Light Of Life Baptist Church

Charity registration number:1201230

Objectives and Activities

The principal purposes of the Church are:-

The advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination.

The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

Beliefs

As a member of the Baptist Union the Church subscribes to the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle:

“That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.

That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again on the third day’.

That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.”

Activities

In fulfilling the purposes, the Church will engage in a range of activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time with activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.

The activities may include but are not restricted to:

regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
baptism, as defined in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle;
the Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month;
evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of all people;
nurture and growth of Christian disciples;
education and training for Christian and community service;
giving and encouraging pastoral care;
supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad;
encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christian denominations.

The charity trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

Light of Life Baptist Church CIO was legally formed on 5.12.22, and during 2023 Light of Life Baptist Church (non-CIO and in existence since the early 1980s) legally merged with it. This involved transferring all assets to the new CIO and starting up new financial systems and bank accounts, as well as continuing the work of the church in promoting the Christian Faith as detailed in ‘Activities’ above.

In 2023 Light of Life Baptist Church CIO had the following achievements:

Meeting together, at least twice a month (usually on 1[st] and 3[rd] Sundays) for services which include communion and provision for children, young people and adults. Attendance at the services increased throughout 2023 and visitors, as well as regular church members, were often present.
We have welcomed and enjoyed and valued hearing from visiting speakers from across the Baptist Union and other Christian Denominations, at some of the services at The Chapel.
The Christian celebrations of Easter, Harvest and Christmas were also marked by the fellowship with additional events, such as an Ash Wednesday service, a community meal on Maundy Thursday, a Good Friday service, a sunrise service on Scratby beach on Easter morning, a Harvest celebration, Christmas Carol service and a New Year’s Eve games afternoon. All have been welcomed to these events, and they are publicised both in the Chapel’s front Window (which is on the pavement edge) and through social media (The Chapel’s Facebook page). Events are also promoted through the local Facebook community page.
Light of Life Baptist Church held 4 Family Meetings (Members’ meetings) in 2023. All are welcome to attend these, whether members of the fellowship or not. These meetings always include worship, sharing of administrative and legal information (such as financial updates and policy reviews) and

opportunities to prayerfully consider development of new and old activities. All these meetings are minuted.

New Policies were developed in 2023, namely the Light of Life Baptist Church Social Media policy and the GDPR Policy was refreshed and developed. Other policies such as the Safeguarding and the Health and Safety Policies were also reviewed and shared with the fellowship.
The Church has continued to meet its legal requirements by being insured (buildings, contents, public liability and employer’s liability) and has maintained fire safety and other safety and risk assessment checks.
The leadership team of Charity Trustees met monthly during 2023 and in April 2023 two new charity trustees joined the team. The trustees’ meetings are a mixture of spiritual discernment and legal and admin matters. All these meetings are minuted. Light of Life aims for all the fellowship to be involved in tasks, activities and decisions, not just the charity trustees, and seeks to encourage involvement of all.
In 2023 Light of Life Baptist Church CIO continued to meet, all together, in person twice monthly on a Sunday. At the start of the year this was in the morning once a month and once a month in the evening. From October 2023 the evening service changed to become a trial of a morning ‘Nourish’ service, where breakfast is shared, followed by a time of contemplative worship and devotions. The change to the Nourish format has seen more people attending.
Oasis, a Renew Wellbeing Group, has continued to thrive, growing in numbers (now with approximately 20 attendees each week). Some of the Oasis attendees now attend other LOL services and activities (such as Sunday morning services) and are becoming embedded in the church family. Oasis meets every Monday morning and as Christmas 2023 fell on a Monday, the fellowship met for a Christmas worship service at Oasis.
The Chapel hosted a packed few days of activities for Christian Aid Week in May 2023. As well as raising funds for Christian aid, the event brings different Christian denominations in the village together and attracts the community into all the events.
Throughout the year LOL tries to serve the community by providing free events. In 2023 2 ‘Lego Cafes’ were held during school holidays. These provided a safe place for children to play, parents and carers to meet, free refreshments, opportunities for those attending to chat and get to know members of LOL, and opportunities to donate to Flegg area Food Bank (financially or by bringing food donations).
Each year Light of Life provides free refreshments, warmth and toilet facilities for those who are out in the village on the evening of 31[st] October. 2023 was no different and we met with approximately 150 of our community.
Youth Work through the monthly ‘Youth Chill’ has continued, with a steady numbers of attendees, and now being regularly based at the chapel. This work is in collaboration with the local Anglican fellowship.
Our ‘Life Groups’, small group meetings throughout the week, continued throughout 2023. These happened in both our chapel building and in people’s homes. In 2023 one life group stopped meeting and another changed from being video call based in the evening to being held face to face in the chapel in an afternoon. This group has now more than doubled in size and has included some of those who were in the closed group and others who were not previously attending a ‘Life Group’.
In 2023 Light of Life joined with the local Anglican church in providing a hub of free activities for all ages at the Ormesby Village Fete. This was a great
opportunity to work together and to meet with our community, forging new links and refreshing older ones.
Pastoral work, especially for those who are no longer to attend chapel events and for those experiencing times of hardship (bereavement, illness and hardships) continued in 2023. Pastoral visits are made by our minister, trustees and all members of the fellowship. ‘Pastoral matters’ is a recurring agenda item at Trustees meetings, to ensure nobody is overlooked.

Financial Review

Light Of Life Baptist Church CIO, Charity Number 1201230 was legally registered with The Charity Commission for England on 5.12.22.

This registration meant the church was then able to start the process of operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with the aim of transferring all the assets from Light of Life Baptist Church to Light of Life Baptist Church CIO, and once complete to merge Light of Life Baptist Church into Light of Life Baptist Church CIO.

Light of Life Baptist Church CIO was able to open new bank accounts in April 2023 (a lengthy process, having been initiated in January 2023) and over the next 6 months transferred all financial matters (income and outgoings) to the new accounts, meaning that the full and legal transfers were completed by November 2023 and the former Light of Life Baptist Church became merged with the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

End of year accounts for Light of Life Baptist Church (up to 31.12.23) have been prepared.

Reserves Policy:

We should only hold money in reserve for specific reasons. Whilst the Bible clearly indicates that we should not hoard, it is also clear that sensible planning for known events and responsibility for, and to, others is very important. We are taught to believe that God will provide, and we all know that this is true and that there are many instances, both large and small, in which it can be demonstrated. God does not however expect his people to be foolhardy, but to count the cost of a project before they proceed with it. The Trustees need to balance their faith in the ongoing provision of God through his people, with the contractual obligations they have.

We believe it is correct and proper to hold in reserve a minimum of 3 months operational costs. This to ensure we can meet our responsibilities and contractual obligations through any minor disruption in income.

The trustees will review the reserves policy every year, with the treasurer [continually] monitoring the status of the church finances, and providing interim information / reports to leadership and membership meetings.

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing Document: Constitution

How is the Charity Constituted? Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Trustee selection detailed in Constitution of Light of Life Baptist Church CIO. Trustees are members of Light of Life Baptist Church and are elected by the membership at Members’ meetings.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Light of Life Baptist Church
Other name the charity uses	LOL
Registered charity number	1201230
Charity’s principal address	Light of Life Baptist Church, The Chapel, North Road, Ormesby,Great Yarmouth. NR293RS

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Rev Elizabeth Stoner	Minister		Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Marie Hearney	Treasurer		Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Alison Cannon	Secretary		Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Gemma Pearce			Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Heather Nichols			Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Catherine Linstead		From 26.04.23	Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church
Stephen Howard		From 26.04.23	Membership of Light of Life Baptist Church

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Other optional information

Light Of Life Baptist Church CIO, Charity Number 1201230 was legally registered with The Charity Commission for England on 5.12.22.

This registration meant the church was then able to start the process of operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with the aim of transferring all the assets from Light of Life Baptist Church to Light of Life Baptist Church CIO, and once complete, to merge Light of Life Baptist Church into Light of Life Baptist Church CIO.

The financial year for Light Of Life Baptist Church runs from 1[st] January to 31[st] December. As the Organisation only legally formed in December 2022, there were no financial transactions of any type in the accounting period 1.1.22 to 31.12.22 (as application for a Bank account could not start until after the Organisation was registered with the charity commission).

Light of Life Baptist Church CIO Charity Trustees’ plan for 2023 was:

Opening a bank account
Transferring of all assets from Light of Life Baptist Church to Light of Life Baptist Church CIO
Merging Light of Life Baptist Church into Light of Life Baptist Church CIO
Continuing to fulfil our purposes of “advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination”.

All of these targets were achieved, with merging of non-CIO Light of Life Baptist Church with Light of Life Baptist Church CIO being finalised on 5.11.23

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Gemma Pearce

Full name(s) Marie Hearney

Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc)

Trustee

Date 1.7.24

	Light of Life Baptist Church CIO 1	Light of Life Baptist Church CIO 1	Light of Life Baptist Church CIO 1	No (if any) 201230	CC16a
	For the period from	Period start date 12/5/2022	To	Period end date 12/31/2023

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Offertory 17,695 Gift aid 2,253 Deposit accounts interest - 32,689 - - Restrictedpension loan donations - Restricted donations for CB memorial fund - 52,637 Sale of kitchen items 30 56 Sub total 86 Total receipts 52,723 A3 Payments Ministrycosts 17,454 Tithes 1,980 518 Pension loan repayments 5,907 4 1,049 Chapel maintenance 764 Utilities and chapel insurance 1,005 1,434 Sub total 30,115 Refunded WiFi payment 34 Refunded doublepayment 22 Sub total 56 Total payments 30,171 Net of receipts/(payments) 22,552 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end - Cash funds this year end 22,552 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Transfer of LOL non CIO monies to LOL CIO Restricted donations to be passed to others,Food Bank and BfC Restricted donations for LOL outgoings, youth(87)and electricity(1100) *Sub total*(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). Misc refunds to account (£22 error correction and 33.81 wifi refund) Hospitality, outreach, young people at LOL and fellowshipfund Gifts to other organisations (food bank, B f C Resources for LOL operation (BU membership, A Rocha, resources, speaker expenses,leadershipcosts) CIO change costs (388), office, wifi, website,CCLI,bank charges) A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)		to the nearest £ - 624 - 2,044 368 1,187 3,500 180 7,903 - - - 7,903 - - 386 380 - - 500 - 1,266 - - - 1,266 6,637 - - 6,637 Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £ 17,695 2,877 562 34,733 368 1,187 3,500 180 61,102 30 56 86 61,188 17,454 1,980 904 5,907 384 1,049 764 1,505 1,434 31,381 34 22 56 31,437 29,751 - - 29,751	Last year to the nearest £
			- - 562 - - - - - 562	17,695	-
				2,877	-
				562	-
				34,733	-
				368	-
				1,187	-
				3,500	-
				180	-
				61,102	-

			- - -	30
				56	-
				86	-

			562	61,188	-

			- - - - - - - - - -	17,454	-
				1,980	-
				904	-
				5,907	-
				384	-
				1,049	-
				764	-
				1,505	-
				1,434	-
				31,381	-

			- - -	34
				22
				56	-

			-	31,437	-

		6,637	562 - - 562	29,751	-
		-		-	-
		-		-	-
		6,637		29,751	-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Details Current Account 1 month deposit account 7 day deposit account Details None Details None Details The Chapel, Ormesby Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Other material assets, as per assets and liability list-computers, tech in chapel, Pension Loan with Baptist Union Corporation Limited, outstanding balance	to nearest £ - 6,637 - 6,637 OK to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - 42,543 - - - - Restricted funds Restricted funds Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Agreement Error
		to nearest £ Endowment funds
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		When due (optional)
Pension Loan with Baptist Union Corporation Limited, outstanding balance	42,543
	-
	-
	-
	-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Signature	Print Name Marie Hearney Gemma Pearce	Date of approval
	Marie Hearney	1.7.24
	Gemma Pearce	1.7.24

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlnerfs report on the accounts Soctlon A Ind•pendent Examin•¢s Rèport Report t¢ the trusteesl m•mbors of On accounts for th• >•ar •ndod 31 11.12 Charlty no Ilf any) 120 12a0 Sèt +yrt on pa9•8 4r> p 141 ccI6A I reFQrt lo th& trustegs on rny examination of the accounts of lh8 ab tharity llhe Trusfi lor ts year ended 31 11 xo23 R•sponlbllltl•• •nd As the chgnty tfuees, ar• rosFbItt for wgparakn ofth& b••l• of rnport in a¢cNdanc• ¥•7th Ihe charit Act 2011 (Iho Acri. I rerth in 19sF of my gx8minalKffi ol the TnJBI's xcounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carr.ng my &xamination, I have folbd all the apiCab Directions given by tho Chanty Commlssth under 8th 1495Mbl crf the AL. Independ•nt aPblISot>uY1] Delo1• I l rfnot applicable I have (pted my examination. I c4Jnfim Ihat no matortol matters hav& to my attention in connaction with the examinab.on ¥thh gives m8 cause to believe that in, any matsrial respect,: the accountitYJ re(uds *re not kept In a¢fpydance with $tkIn 130 of tho kt., or th• acc4xJnts did not acLord writh the 8¢¢wnknng Trcords,. or accounts did not cunply with the aolcable requirements cfjnceming the forn and conleni (4 accounts out in the Charrtio$ {AnIS and RepNtsI Régulati$ 2008 other than any requiTemenl that accounts gNe a Irue and fair. view which not a mattgr ¢der•I a8 part of on iThknndent exarymnabcfft. I have no Cum$ aTrJ have ne aL¥OSS no other mattgrs in connect witti the examination lovknich attention should be dra in this pOrt in ordw to enatAe a kvopef understandirvJ of the accounts lo be rgached. ' Plgase dolete Ihe In the brackets rflhey do notappty. Slgn•d: N•m•: R•l•vant profe•th>n•l qualfficatlon{•l or body Ilf any): October 2018 IER

Address: 4 q iL,74J frt>iL 141- KJ Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem {se8 CC32, Independent examination of tharity accounts.. direct13 and guKlarKe examine). Givg h8r9 details of any Items that tho oxamlnor wl•heB to dhclos•. IER Octobor 2018