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2024-08-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

THE METHODIST CHURCH

STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS

Shern Hall Methodist Church

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 August 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
in the Forest Circuit Circuit no 35/33
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1202535
Minister:
Rev Oseias da Silva
Church Stewards:
Marcia Brandt
Millicent Freeman Emmanual Kusi
Donald Espeute Jennifer Whitfield
Heather Espeute Abena Adofo
Thelma Blake
Joint Treasurers:
Hannah Roberts
Leandre Tuitt (from 29/07/2024)
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Church R and P 2015.xls

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

Report Content

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1 Reference and Administration Details
List of the Charity Trustees
2 Objectives and Activities
- Mission & Vision
- Aims and Organisation
- Purpose of the Church within the Connexion
3 Review of progress and Achievements in the year
- The Annual Report
- Future Plans
4 Financial Review
5 Reserves Policy
6 Structure, Governance and Management
- Structure
- Governance
- Management
7 Related Parties
8 Public Benefit Requirement
9 Trustee Responsibilities
- General Responsibilities
- Financial Responsibilities
- The Church Council
- The Finance and Property Committee
10 Risk Management
11 Report Approval and signature
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Attachments

12 Standard form of Accounts for theyear and accompanyingnotes
-
Receipts and Payments for theyear
-
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at the end ofyear
-
Notes to the accounts
-
Declarations and Scrutiny

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

1. Reference and Administration Details

As far as the trustees are aware:

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Date Retired as Appointed since
Trustee 1 September 2023
Revd Oseias da Silva
Hannah Roberts
Peter Sambani
Leandre Tuitt 29/07/24
Abena Adofo
Emmannuel Kusi
June Carole Campbell
Sonia Jennifer Whitfield
Kathleen Hudson
Donald Espeute
Millicent Patience Freeman
Dereen Omard
Cynthia Vilma Bonds
Evangelica Marietta Solomon
Loyl Marcia Brandt
Elvena Bernita Brumant
Ciddra Skerritt
Claudina A Green
William Poko-Adu
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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

2. Objectives and Activities

2.1. Introduction

The Shern Hall Methodist Church "The Church" is a Methodist church in the Forest Methodist Circuit. The congregation is ethnically diverse, from e.g. the Caribbean, Africa, England, Wales, etc. We are all one family in Christ, and strive to love and respect each other. The church wishes to be seen as relevant to the local community. It is therefore imperative that we try to address this by making the church a central part of the community, not only by looking up to date and modern, but able to offer mission and ministry.

2.2. The Shern Hall Church Mission and Vision

The Shern Hall Church mission statement is "We believe that God has called us to be a transforming, united Church of Jesus Christ's disciples, who are growing as followers, obedient to the word of God and with a passion to serve God's church and community."

2.3. Aims and organisation

The Church's purpose is to provide a place for Christian Methodist Worship at Shern Hall Street, Walthamstow. The Church Council meets at least twice each year to consider the work of God in the Church and the general management of the Church its business and buildings.

2.4. Purpose of the Church within the Methodist Connexion

The Church is an expression, over a lesser geographical area than a Circuit, of the Connexional character of the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the union the advancement of:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

3. Review of Progress and Achievements

3.1. Shern Hall Church Annual Report

The Shern Hall and Woodford joint management team utilised professional HR expertise to follow the safer recruitment process to find a person to be part time church manager for the two churches. They were pleased to appoint Vanessa Rose, who started her role in January 2024.

Revd Da Silva was due a sabbatical in the year. He used part of this time to complete his walking pilgrimage to Compostela. Many of the church members were pleased to follow his progress through his posted photographs and brief meditations. These were shared more fully on his return with the Circuit as well as the church.

After negotiation and property preparation, the church felt blessed to agree a contract with Village Nest for the use of the Church Annex during the week for a Preschool. Village Nest is a local established family preschool organisation wishing to expand their organisation.

The Church Council reviewed a number of property project areas and carefully considered the priorities. A number of investigations were made and quotations for work obtained. Grant contributions to the cost were also explored. Ideally one big project would cover all aspects, but this proved too di�icult to achieve. Therefore the priority order was considered. With health & safety in mind the focus was given to 1) making safe and exploring the use of the stables block followed by 2) replacement of the windows in the main church building, 3) Sorting out the car park drainage and resurfacing. Work on the stables began with a group of qualified church members organising a working group of professionals to clear a considerable amount of rubbish from the stables buildings and making it safe.

Unfortunately di�iculties in relation to the land registry for the stables and carpark area have been uncovered. These need to be sorted out with lawyers before progress can be made.

The Church council agreed that a number of small projects could progress separately to the large projects, as funds allowed. The responsibility for actioning these was devolved to the Finance and Property Group. This allowed for progress on the smaller tasks between church Councils. These included: redecoration of the church hall with new blinds and lights, refurbishment of the lighting in the church sanctuary and around the church and initial work to try to improve the e�iciency of the heating system. Action on the larger project /jobs need to be referred to the Church Councils.

to 12 months till she is comfortable with all the aspects of the financial role, in an e�ort to smooth the handover process.

A Mission and outreach program was explored initially focusing on light exercise and Health & Wellbeing. Cynthia Bonds, liaising with the Leyton Orient Trust, set up pilot sessions which were well received.

In 2025 Revd Da Silva will have been at Shern Hall for 7 years and 12 years in the Circuit. His appointment was therefore subject to the Methodist Stationing process. Two representatives from the Church council were appointed to join the Circuit Stationing Committee.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

3.2. Future Plans

The Church Finance and Property committee have already been reconsidering the priorities of the larger projects. This is likely to be focusing on the replacement of windows. As soon as quotes can be revisited, grant applications can be revised to organise funding. A resolution to the responsibility for the stables and car park will be explored in parallel. The projects in those areas can then be re-evaluated.

One of the Church Manager responsibilities is working on ensuring the church building is compliant in all areas. E.g. 24-25 is when full electrical inspections are due.

It is hoped that the decision will be made to continue the Mission and Outreach program - health and well being sessions on a regular basis other areas of activity will be explored.

Revd Da Silva will be leaving Shern Hall and the Circuit in the summer of 2025 to continue his ministry in the West Country. The church council and congregation are grateful for his care, commitment and expertise through a number of di�icult times for the church, the covid pandemic, a flood, and financial di�iculties to name but a few.

A new minister Revd Kong Ching Hii will be joining the Circuit in September 2025 with pastoral responsibility for Shern Hall and Woodford. The Congregation look forward to his new ministry.

4. Financial Review

The total receipts for the year of £125,583 were a further increase on the previous year (22-23 £116,674). The payments for the year £107,050 were less than last year of £115,746, as certain of the planned repair and maintenance work was not completed in the year. This gave a surplus for the year of £18,533, (22-23 £928).

The congregational o�erings were maintained at the same level as last year £54,575, but the gift aid received was £8,166, slightly lower than last year (22-23 £9,184). The letting fees had been increased by 50% in the previous year due to energy costs. These were not further increased, but a significant full time letting of the Annex to a Preschool was agreed and started, which increased the lettings to £59,400, significantly more than the previous year (22-23 £30,992)

Energy prices increased by 70%, further than expected to £20,456 compared with the previous year (22-23 £12,064). Water rates were much less at £685 compared with the previous year (22-23 £6,541) , as the debt which Castle claimed was due was paid o� following threats to cut o� the water. The debt was disputed, but it is unlikely this will now be refunded.

The management team were very pleased to be able to employ Vanessa Rose as the new Church Manager. This is a joint agreement with Woodford Methodist Church. Vanessa works 2 mornings at Shern Hall and two at Woodford. She has quietly and e�iciently provided most e�ective support.

The repairs and maintenance of £20,016 , (22-23 £23,494) included: £4,765 on heating system e�iciency changes, with more due on this in October 2024; £8,000 was spent on a badly needed refreshing of the Hall decoration and new blinds.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

5. Reserves Policy

The Church needs to maintain an operating reserve approximately equal to 6 months of annual expenditure. This would give a short time for the church to respond to an income drop whilst still meeting immediate expenditure needs. This is currently approximately £55,000. Committed expenditure includes such items as: assessment to the circuit; church manager salary; utility bills; financial examination; etc. However, the church also has significant work required to the fabric of the main church building, e.g. new windows are urgently required,

At the end of the year the church had £34,793 unrestricted assets. This is equivalent to just under 4 months operating reserve, so particularly careful financial management of funds is needed.

With slightly increased funds from the letting of the Annex to the preschool, the Finance and Property group should be able to address a few more of the small property jobs identified with little further detrimental impact on the church reserves. However grant funding urgently needs to be sought for all major property work required.

The church's benevolent fund is a restricted fund and holds £3,548 at 31st August 2024.

6. Structure, governance and Management

6.1. Structure

Shern Hall Methodist Church is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. It is part of the Forest Methodist Circuit. Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference.

The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the Presbyter, the Church Stewards, and other o�icers, and this regulatory authority is then exercised by Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity.

6.2. Governance

The Church operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Forest Circuit, the London District, the Connexional O�ice and the Charity Commission to provide guidance on changes that could a�ect the Church.

Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by the order of the annual conference (CPD)

6.3. Management

Day to day management of Shern Hall Methodist church, between trustees meetings is undertaken by the Minister, Church Stewards, the Treasurers and a number of established committees: the Pastoral Committee, the Safeguarding committee and the Finance and Property Committee. These committees are appointed by the Church Council to act on behalf of the Church Council between Church Council Meetings.

7. Related Parties

Shern Hall Methodist Church is part of the Forest Methodist Circuit which is part of the London District of the Methodist church and is therefore also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The church's main source of funding is o�erings from the congregation and income from rooms let.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

The income is used to pay an assessment to the Forest Methodist Circuit, pay for the upkeep of the Church building and carry out the Church Mission.

The church now also shares the responsibility for the employment and cost of a Church Manager with Woodford Methodist church.

8.

The trustees had due regard to the guidance published by the Charities Commission in compliance with its duties under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011. This guidance sets out two key principles:

The church exists to:

9. Church Trustee Responsibilities

9.2. Financial Responsibilities include:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church - Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

9.3. The Shern Hall Church Council

The Church Council meets at least 2 times a year to deal with routine and exceptional matters. It seeks to think strategically about the work of the Church and carry out administrative matters. Its key functions have been:

9.4. The Church Finance and Property Committee

This sub-committee have been authorised by the Church council to act in an executive capacity in relation to Financial and Property matters requiring decisions and action between meetings of the Church Council Trustees. All actions taken being reported to the following Church Council meeting.

10. Risk Management

The church council has responsibility for considering the various risks facing the church, the impact and the likelihood of issues occurring. This is managed between Church Council Meetings by the Church Safeguarding Committee. Guidance is received from the Forest Circuit, the London District of the Methodist Church and the Methodist connexion. The headings under which the risks are being categorised include:

11. Report Approval

10/6/2025

The report was approved by the trustees on ………………………… and signed on their behalf by

……………………………………..

Revd Oseias Da Silva

Church Minister & Chair of Trustees

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Shern Hall Methodist Church

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Unrestricted Designated Restricted Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds Funds Funds year year
£ £ £ £ £
a1 RECEIPTS Note
a2 Offerings and Tax recovered 1 62,741 62,741 64,553
Bank and CFB interest and
a3 Investment income 661 661 267
a4 Lettings 59,400 59,400 30,992
Other receipts (incl donations, Fundraising &
a5 Streaming Appeal) 2 1,436 1,345 2,781 20,862
a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS 122,802 1,436 1,345 125,583 (a7) 116,674
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 42,776 42,776 50,151
b3 Donations
b4 Repairs and Maintenance 20,016 20,016 23,494
Utilities (Insurances, water
b5 charges, heating & lighting) 3 22,981 22,981 20,403
b6 Salaries, admin, cleaning & Church Expenses 4 19,673 19,673 16,072
Other payments (incl Streaming Project, Exam.
b7 Charge) 5 1,604 1,604 5,626
b8 [TOTAL PAYMENTS ] 107,050 107,050 (b9) 115,746
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
c1 FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) 15,752 1,436 1,345 18,533 928
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2 17,605 1,293 2,203 21,101 (c6) 20,173
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 33,357 2,729 3,548 39,634 21,101
c4 Transfers and adjustments 1,436 (1,436) (c7)
c5 [TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR ] (c3+c4) 34,793 1,293 3,548 39,634 (c8) 21,101 (c6)
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
d (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above) £ £
d1 Balance brought forward from last year 3,603 120
d2 Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations 382 3,840
d3 Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations 3,624 357
d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) 361 3,603
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Church R and P 2015.xls

Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Shern Hall Methodist Church

Church

SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

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SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page
Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that
the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose.
This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then
the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance
notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening Closing
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances balances
e1
e2
e3
e4
e5
e6
e7
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds (e11) (e12)
e9 Church accounts (totals 125,583 (a7) 107,050 (b9) 18,533 (c7) 21,101 (c6) 39,634 (c8)
brought forward from page
2 - totals column)
e10 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD 125,583 107,050 18,533 21,101 (x) 39,634 (y)
BY CHURCH
Continue on a separate sheet TOTAL
if necessary and bring the TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
totals forward
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SECTION F

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

f1
f2
f3
f4
f5
f6
f7
f8
f9
g1
g2
g3
g4
g5		 CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2024
OPENING
BALANCES
CLOSING
BALANCES
7
9,269
37,937
1
1
11,831
1,689
21,101
(c6)
39,634
(c8)
(e11)
(e12)
21,101
(x)
39,634
(y)
SECTION G
At
At
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
1 September 2023
31 August 2024
1,775,934
2,239,607
Other Assets
Cash in hand
Bank Current Account
Bank Deposit Account
Land & Buildings (Updatee Insurance value'n)
SUB TOTAL - Church accounts
Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
Central Finance Board
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Other funds
Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the
closing balance total from above) (e12)
Investments (include Endowments)
Other Liabilities: ();

f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board

f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5

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2015 Church R and P.xls

Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

SHERN HALL METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Notes to the accounts

1 Offerings and Tax recovered

Church Offerings
Gift Days
Tax Reclaim
Total		 23-24
54,575
-
8,166
62,741		 22-23
54,839
530
9,184
64,553

2 Other receipts (incl donations, Fundraising & Streaming Appeals)

23-24
To General fund
21-22 Insurance Claim Payment (22-23)
-
Donations
-
Total
-
To designated Funds
Fundraising - Black History event
1,436
Steel Band donation
-
Other
-
Total
1,436
To Benevolent Fund
1,345
Total
2,781
Utilities etc (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting)
23-24
Water
685
Gas
11,332
Electric
9,124
Insurance
1,840
Total
22,981		 22-23
15,992
180
16,172
1,485
1,250
100
2,835
1,855
20,862
22-23
6,541
7,883
4,181
1,798
20,403

3 Utilities etc (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting)

4 Salaries, admin, cleaning & Church Expenses

23-24
Salary contribution
6,000
Security
1,113
Cleaning
6,144
Postage, Printing, etc
275
Printer Lease
1,054
Licences & subscriptions
968
Bank charges
317
Telephone & Broadband
1,082
Organist
2,720
Total
19,673
Other payments (e.g. Streaming Projects, Exam. Charge)
23-24
Examination Fee
1,536
Sundry Items
68
Donations made
-
Re-payment of loan from Circuit
-
Total
1,604
From designated Funds
Fundraising
-
Steel Band
-
Total
-
From Benevolent Fund
-
Total
1,604		 22-23
-
1,541
6,496
436
1,580
770
274
1,055
3,920
16,072
22-23
1,050
1,725
-
-
2,775
998
337
1,335
1,516
5,626

5 Other payments (e.g. Streaming Projects, Exam. Charge)

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Name of Church … Shern Hall Methodist Church

Declarations and Scrutiny

I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.

10/6/2025

Signature of treasurer ……………………………………………………… Date……………………..

Name and address of Treasurer ……………… Hannah Roberts

………… 45 Byron Avenue, South Woodford, London , E18 2HH

Presentation to the Church trustees

I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 will be presented to the meeting of the Church trustees to be held on .................................... 12th June 2025

Signature of the Chair of the meeting ……………………………………………………………………

Name of the Chair of the meeting …… Reverend Oseias Da Silva

Date: 10/6/2025

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the

Shern Hall Methodist Church

Charity Number 1202535

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Shern Hall Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 1 to 11. As the Church’s trustees, 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 Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

2015 church R and P.xls

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Docusign Envelope ID: 60584E11-188E-4051-B292-9AA19B7271D0

Name of Church …………… Shern Hall Methodist Church

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 (other than that disclosed below*) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.

Signature of independent examiner ………………………………………………………………….

Name of independent examiner …Lorraine Catherine Purdy FCCA

Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ...Certified Accountant

Name of firm (where appropriate) … Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills

Address … Suite D, The Business Centre, Faringdon Avenue, Romford, Essex RM3 8EN

10/6/2025 Date …………………………………………

2015 church R and P.xls

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