Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church End of Year Trustees Report and Financial Statements 15 month period ending 31 March 2024
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts. 31 March 2024 Trust Infomiatk)n Trusts Worklng Fund$ Trust C0r)WegatnaI Church S&brldg8WOrth Freehold Property Trnst 1814 Church and Classroom Bl¢xk London Road S8wbridgeworth Fr•ehold Prop•ty TNst 1921 The Manse, Ho85tk Road Sthridgthyorth Mlnlster Gary Hanson Managlng Trnsto•8 Gary Hanson Rac1 Milbtt Dian S8pslord Ann Voortman Gavin Uryuhart Minister Secretary, R&aFvolnled Jan 22 ApFointed May 19, R&aFvoinled Oec 23 Appoinled May 21 untyl 30 Apr 24 Appolnled Oec 21 Julk Kd AGling Treasurer Appointed Jul 21 Indgp•ndent Examlnw Sah Ulyatt Holdlng Trustee FIEC Ltd Barclays Bank plc Thg Wer Gwdèns. 14 Cenlre, S¢JJthg81e, H¥l¢)w, CM20 1AN Poqe 2
S8wbridgevKJrth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 Trustees Report 15 month period ended 31 March 2024 The primary aim of the Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Con8regational Church is to fulfil the role of a Christian Church in Sawbrid8eworth and the surrounding area and to help others in supporting and promoting the Christian faith in the United Kingdom and overseas, Aims and Objectives The aims and objectives of the Church are the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with our Basis of Faith, in Sawbridgeworth and the surrounding areas. As a collection of people of different ages and backgrounds whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, we seek to fulfill the Calling of Jesus in our lives. This is done through worship as a community but a150 in the application of our faith for the benefit of others, through teaching and pastoral care, prevention and relief of need, provision of facilities in the interests of Social interaction. We seek to live out the faith as contained in the Bible and be a blessing to those within the Church and those outside of it, desiring to see the people of Sawbridgeworth come into a relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord, Saviour and friend. Trustees and People The Managing Trustees are collectively responsible for the spiritual leadership and admlnistration of the Church and are comprised of the Minister and other members of the church leadership team who are appointed by the Members ofthe Church. The members of the Church, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the Lordship of Christ have the final decision on all policies and important decisions that affect the life and witness of the Church. Though the Church employs a full-tlme minister. a part.time Office Manager and a formal partnership with the fled Balloon Fellowshlp to lead on our youth and children's work, it is reliant on and benefits from the active participation of volunteers from members and others connected with the Church to help achieve its objectives. Thi5 means presenting the Christian message among people they meet, bein8 involved In teaching, public worship. pastoral care as well as in practical ministries, maintenance and administration. The Church is grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of those who give their time & resources. often in ways that cannot be easily quantified. The 15 month perlod to 31st March 2024 The main ways the Church sought to achieve the calling of Christ upon it and its charitable actwities for the PLbblic benefit by the advancement of religion ha5 been as follows: Fulfilling its objects in the teaching and preaching in the weekly services on sundays which are open to all people. Sunday services are live-streamed to enable greater actrss to the Church cornmunity and complement our in-person services. These seThices are planned with the aim of making them multigenerational, welcoming, thought provoking through clear Bible teaching. Midweek teaching groups are held at the Church, various private homes. These groups have been a lifeline for many in the Church family, providing support and friendshlp but ensuring Church Pooe 3
Sawbridgevrth Evangelical Congregational chu Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 member5 Study the Bible and pray together. Our'connect Groups, provide a sense of dynamic community within the wider congregation and enable members to grow together. form c105e friendships and provide much needed peer to peer discipleship. We have three 'youth Connect Groups, running that are ensuring our children and youth develop valuable friendships and a sense of belonging. Groups for children and young people are held on Sunday mornings during the service. A group for Carefs and Toddlers, Open Door. runs every week during school terms helping families with young children and babie5 find friendship and much needed support. Friday Zone is a youth group for thildren in school years 4-10 run on a weekly basis during school terms. This club gather5 a number of local and Church children and is highly thought of. During this year the Church continued our youth provision from RBF who have helped u5 continue all areas of our youth work, ensuring deeper friendships and a greater understanding of their faith. The 'Alpha' course - a series of se5sion5 exploring the Christian faith that is available to all. Activities which involve the wider community include- Participating in the 'Make Lunch. program to provide hot lunches to frdmilies. Members of the Church gave their time sacrificially and helped many families who have found life harder and harder. Our'Food Hub, Iformerly known as the Pop-up Shopl, continues to provide much needed practical and social support to local residents, as they shop for free. We have forged greater links with the CAB and the Bishop's Stortford food bank. We continue to show our 5UPPOrt for area5 of need and conflict in the world, via financial support to Lifeline Romania and our continued care for Ukrainians in the town by letting our hall be used to host language lessons, fund-raising events, prayer. the Food Hub and special events to make significant occasions. We are continuing to progress our building project plans and this has enabled us to reach out to the local community and understand local needs better, as well as creating new relationships. Our buildings will be in keeping with the local area, sensitive to the 'look' of the town and a benefit to local charitable groups. We are looking forward to being able to expand our impact in the local community. Paqe 4
Sawbridgeworth Evangeltcal Congregational Church Report and Accounts. 31 March 2024 Financial Review The financial statements for the 15 month period to 31 March 2024 have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis. The financial resources received during the year amounted to £228,830 the expenditure however totalled £277,862. on the activities and ministries of the Church. The main reason for the increase in expenditure related to expenses associated with the architert5' fee5 and planning application. We can give thanks to God forthe generosity ofthe members and attendees ofthe Church. The long-standing poliry of the Church 15 not to take collections for the on-going work of the Church but rather to rely mainly on regular donations paid direct to the Church's bank account with additional gifts made through offering boxes. Donors are encouraged to use Gift Aid Schemes so that additional tax refunds can benefit the Church. On some occasions specific collections may be made for the special appeals of external organisations or projerts which are compatible with the eth05 Of the Church. The Church has a policy of allocating a proportion of its general income for designated purposes: IOYO is devoted to the support of mission work outside of the local area IO% is allocated to the anticipated costs of major maintenance tasks, upgrading and expanding the Church buildings. The Managing Trustees have set a policy of retaining sufficient reserves to provide for the foreseeable needs of the Church. These free reserves are available to meet the costs of normal running and to ensure that the Church can meet the commitments it has entered into. The minimum amount is anticipated to be equivalent to Six month5 expenditure + scheduled transfers (the relevant figure for 15 months was £181.2671. This indicates a minimum reserve figure of £90.634. This is considered appropriate in view of the challenging economic environment, (considering increasing energy costs) and potential developments and future changes to the Church property. Risks All major insurable risk5 are subject to normal Church and employer insurance. Risks and other areas of activity and premises are subject to periodic review. The premises are professionally insperted every five years: the last inspection was conducted in 2023. The main Church boiler was replaced during 2023 as the old boiler had failed. Other ongoing maintenance work is being carried out by Church members. Replacement of fencing at the Manse has also been undertaken in early 2024. The Church has a policy on the Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults which is reviewed periodically. Statement of Trustees Responsibility Pooe 5
Iwbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 Statement of Trustees Responsibility As a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, the Church is currently an "excepted charity" under the provisions of the Charity Act 2011. Now that income is in exce55 of £ioo,ocK) the Church is required to register as a charity in its own right and will be structured as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It ha5 commenced this process and is expected to cornplete it during 2024. Charity law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give 3 true and fair view of the state of affaiTS of the Charity and of the resources during that period. In preparing these accounts. the Trustees are required to- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consiStentlv- Make adjustments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; Prepare the accounts on 3 going concern basis unle55 It is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Acts. They are a150 responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of f raud and other irregularities. The Tru5tee5 confirm that the occounts comply with current Statutory requirements and the Charity's trust deeds. No payments were made to trustees other than the ministerfs salary & penslon and approved p3yment5 for expenses legitimately encountefed in the running of the church. Slgned: Slgnod: Secrotsry: Ra¢ho1 Millètt Actlng Treasurer: Julla Kolly 2024 Dat8 441- 2024 Pooe 6
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounls, 31 March 2024 Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trustegsl members of Sawbrldgeworth Evangellcal Congregational Church On accounts for the Charity no: ygar ended 31 March 2024 Set out on pages s_ li Respectlve The charrty's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the r95ponsibiliti of accounts. The charity's Injslees consider that an 8udit is nol required trn$tse¥ and èxaminer for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Examiners responsibility is to. Examine Ihe accDunls under sectN?n 145 ofthe Charities Act. Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145151{bl ol the Charities Act Slate whether particular matters have come lo my attention. Bas1$ of Independent My examinat was carried out in accordance with general DI ctions examln8r's $tat9ment given by the Charity CornmissKJn. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accA)unls presented with those records. 11 also includes conSideratn of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Iruslees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audil, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a 'lrue and fairf view. and the report is limited lo those matters sel out in the slalemenl below. Independènt In connection with my examination, no maller has come to my attention examlnefs statement 1. which oives me reasonable ¢ause lo believe that in, any malerial resped, the requ1Ments. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 ol the Chanlies Act., and lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record8 and cornply with the accountin9 qUirementS ol the Charities Act Have not been mel.. or 2, to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the a¢counls lo be reached. Slgne Dato 28 JULY a02+ Name: Sarah Ulyatt Addr•$s: B£AH6kEryL, LDUJfL gffEE T, loLV END,ltrlIl C£ l A i ( ODJ Of TAX knwcj AFJS(I¥T7 Prof Quallficatlon: Paoe 7
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and ACUnt$, 31 March 2024 Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregolional Churth Fund Movemenl summary Selected Penod.. 01 January 2023 10 31 March 2024 Fund Fund Balan¢os BIF 101 74B 595 Incomlng Ro¥ovrces Outgoln9 Rosour¢•8 Transfern Fund Balances CIF General 8enevolenl Buildi Fund Buildi Ex enses Communil Fund Mission Fund PA& Video Pro Legacy of RF 141 776 102 115610 493 20.063 56 554 24 970 119253 2.172 118231 2,172 101 Transfers. Total 24613 £187 296 £277 862 Notes: Graveyard and Restricted Funds were c105ed during 21122 Community Fund, Ithis is an umbrella fund for the community shop. open door, parenting course, make lunch and zone) 'A new bank account was set up in December 2023 to receive contributions relating to the building fund, monies received into the general account prior to Oecember were transferred into this new account. Communlty Fund Cornmunlty Fund Fund Balance# WF In¢ornlng ReUre•S Outgolng Resources Fund Balances CIF Communrt Sho Hail Centre Make Lunch en Door Parentin Zone 613 380 294 756 150 93 1,930 150 93 Total Pooe 8
Sawbridgev•rsrth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts. 31 March 2024 sridgeWOrth Evèngelte41 Clgregational Church Baiance Sheet Detailed A• •t 31103124 Currnnt Assets BaT¢la Current Barcla Active Saver Barcla Buildin Fund Account Monmouthshire 8uildi Socie Sanlander Bond Acc(xJnl8 Receivatde 5.810.18 76,875 64 38,147.99 36,928.55 25 565.58 3.*6.74 Total Currnnt A88•ts £187 294.68 Excessl Slarts'n lo date Balances 49,032.32 236,327.00 £187 294.68 Total Resèrv•8 Rè frnt Unreslrided Des nated Le ac RF Buildin Fund Total 23,649.69 123,325.00 2,172.00 38,147.99 £187 294.68 Paqe 9
SawbridgeKirth Evangelical Congregational Churth Report and Accounts. 31 March 2024 Sridge¢
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregalional Church Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 Savknridgeworth Evangelical Congwalional Church Analysis of payments 111123 10 3113124 Unr••trktsd 10,643 R•strlcted Thkn Y•ii 10.643 AdmK)Istralor SaL4 Admviistralor PenSn AfflIln$ 8uiklin Fund Ex FundTr3nster 56,(67 56.067 Calerin Church Gas Church Ekthrti Church Waier Rates Church Insurance Church Sude Cleaner- cont Colin & Bron Cbaver 5S1( hl Iicenses Commun Fund sw Donabons Olher meni Gardenin INF Shirf Latin M&H Fr051 Legal Fee5 IECI Lrfeline Romank? Mènse Cwncl Tax Manse Water Rates Manse Tele hone Mathse Insurance Manse MainnarKe Manse Other Miscellaneou$ costs Min$i6rs Sal M1nLslers Ex enses Minle Pensb)n Opralion Mob Phot(Ko 1.550 1.550 777 339 777 339 633 633 2,784 2.784 1,082 1.082 9.217 9.33B 9.338 3.480 6.257 57 3.032 3,032 687 704 517 704 517 74 58 45.204 45.204 2.437 6.324 2.784 6.324 2.784 - other 23,865 23.665 pu Saf iJaTdin Samaritsns PLKse S11¢ Steph PnI1 sweet Pasto Tear Fund Tele hOnBroadband Tr8nstsr bgck to Trans STC r5hi Ma8 Youih 226 226 $85 585 1,392 1,456 1.456 860 10.673 525 116 18.511 £231.093 10.673 525 É24.018 E21761 277,162 Pooe 11
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report Accounts, 31 March 2024 Paoe 12
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Churth Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 Notes on Accounts Total income forthe 15 months to 31 March 2024 was £228.830 and expenditure £277,862 produ¢ing for the first line a defi¢rt of £49.032. this gap was closed by a queSt for members to increase their monthly giving together with a transfer of funds from savings lo bridge the gap. Income received in¢lvded Gift Aid of £32.611. During 23124 there was sonrficant expendrture relating lo the building fund as the plans and survey for the new building moved foThvard. The increase n expenditure this year arises from the following.. General Fund, onOing Expendlture This was the fourth year that both the administrator costs and increased SUPFQrt conlraot to Red Balleon Iyouthl Fellowship lo cover 20 hrs per week of a youth worker were paid for full year, these costs are now Stab arsd are being covered from gene1 income. Supplier contracts have been reviewed and a fixed lariff for gas and electricty has been set for a three-year Feriod, ¢ost$ have increased in line wrth energy prices and an accrual remains in place lo cover these costs for 23134 as 24125. Oneff or Capltal Expenditure The were a number of special projects that resuhed in consKlerable'onewoff expenditu. General Fund. Charity Regkstratlon- The FIEC solicitors Edward Connor have done considerable Work lo assess and prepare the church tnjsts and constitution for charity regislralion. The cnmplexity of this has increased costs, aboul £6,257. Bulldlng Fund- Expenditure on building project anK)unled lo £22,751 which cxjvered the archilecl's fees and qUired surveys, in the absence of any specific donation$ ongoing costs will need lo be financed from the general fund. Paoe 13
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts. 31 March 2024 Fund Summary Descriptions General Fund: Covers the majority of ongoing njnning costs and income. Dèsignat Funds Funds that the church establishes to receive designated income pay for specifK projects or adrwitie$'. Benevolent Fund: For gifts lo assist ¢hur¢h mernrs in ffinancial need. Funded from specific gifts which have to be given without gift aid. Building ProjecL' To cover the new building project {Set up March 2019), a designaled bank account was opened in December 2023. Community Fund: The Communty Fund acts as an umbrella fund for all costs asso¢ialed with the community including the pop-up shop, parenting courses, Open Door, Make Lunch. the Halley Cenlre and Zone. (set up April 20221 Missionary Fund: Supports wotk by other Christian organizalions outside of the IcKal area. Funded by 100A of general income (see below for details of misstonaries we $UPFrt)rt) PA&AV: Re-activated to cover a major PA and Video upgrade. Property: Major building Maintenan and capital expenditure costs. Funded by 10Yo of general income (Set up Nov 2010) Legacy RF: The restricted and endowment funds were ckjsed in 2021, going fotward graveyard Maintenan costs will be funded from general income. Paqe 14
Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church Report and Accounts, 31 March 2024 issionaries and Organizatlons We Support Colin & Bron Cleaver. Operation Mobilizalion. Novosibirsk, Siberi8-. Lead OM team and Nn discipleship cenler which trains and equips young Russian Christians to discover and use their gifts effectively. They also work alongside Baptist churches in and around the aty. Martin & Hazel Frost.. Latin Link. City of San Franasco. Argentina.. Involved in bible teaching, we&aulhoring, prison vis11ing. schcol support and rural Community projects. Yulia Notkin. Operation Mobilization, Novosibirsk, Siberia.. Tutor al the discipleship center run by Colin & Bron Cleaver who are involved in leaching, counselling and organizing trips for students to gain expenents in ministry. Dr. Shirfey Heywc¢)d, Inlemational Nepal Fellowship, Surkhet District. Nepal.. A gynecok)gisl working with district hosprtals and mobile camps perfonning surgery on women with obslelric fislulas. Roger & Marvyn Amos, Lifeline Romania: Help run Lifeline Romania which provides clothing and domestic g¢)ods for poor Romanians and supports sevefal local churches. SECC fund$ trips to supervise distribution of goc¥Js from the UK and helps with pack shipping lorry. ReguLar giving was established in 22123 for both Christian Solidarty Woddwide and Stephen Pointing who is involved with missionary work. In addition, special collection$ We funded by Ihe Church congregation lo support aid for Pakistan via DEC. a contnbut¢on for Jews for Jesus, the Ukraine Appeal and support for Matt Fowell's trip lo Gambia. Paoe 15