**+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit One God, Amen.** **London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (LDSMSG EOTC)** **Trustees' Annual Report 31 March 2025** **Charity number: 1204868** 1 ## Table of Contents **Trustees Report** ................................................................................................................................... 3-5 **Independent Examiner’s Report** ............................................................................................................ 6 **Statement of Financial Activities** ........................................................................................................... 7 **Balance Sheet** ......................................................................................................................................... 8 **Notes** .................................................................................................................................................. 9-12 2 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **Trustees Report** We open this report giving thanks to God for He has made all things possible. We also pray that the blessings and prayers of the late His Grace Archbishop Abuna (Abba) Gorgoryoes Nbbabe Melekot, Spiritual Father and the founder of our Church, be with us. ## **Structure, governance and management** The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) accepts the Nicene Creed, and its followers believe in one, holy, universal, and apostolic Church. Accordingly, the Patriarch of the EOTC is the successor of the Holy Apostles, and as such is entrusted by The Holy Spirit and the EOTC to oversee it and to preside over its Holy Synod which is the highest legisla�ve and execu�ve authority. The Archbishops, Bishops and Episcopes of each Diocese are appointed by the Holy Synod to oversee parish churches found within their Diocesan territory. LDSMSG EOTC is part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church under the direct jurisdic�on of the Diocese of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The Parish Administra�on Council members (Trustees) are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church's ac�vi�es and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. ## **Objec�ves and Ac�vi�es** The object of the Church is the advancement of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Chris�an faith in accordance with the principles and regula�ons of the EOTC. The Church propagates the Gospel of Christ through the administra�on of Sacraments of the Church, regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching in accordance with the rites of the EOTC. Equally important is the role of the Church in teaching and educa�ng members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo believers and others in the doctrine and prac�ces of the Church and accep�ng and bap�sing those who freely adopt the Ethiopian Orthodox Chris�an faith. In addi�on, the Church aims to provide assistance to those in need regardless of membership of the Church. It is also the object of the Church to, when the �me is right, provide of a Monastery which will keep and preserve the Holy Monas�c life prac�ced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. ## **Achievements and Performance** During the year, the Church held four major annual services and celebra�ons in addi�on to Easter and Christmas services. Daily liturgical services were held for sixteen days during the fast of St. Mary (Filseta Tsom) culmina�ng in the celebra�on of the assump�on of St. Mary on 22[nd] of August. A total of 95 liturgical services were held during the year. Church a�endance and membership has been steadily rising. 3 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Our Sunday School is also growing and teaches children and young adults tenets of the Orthodox Tewahedo faith and language skills to give them understanding of their faith and allow them to fully take part and contribute to the Church and the community they live in. Its ac�vi�es during the year included religious and language study, hymns prac�ce and begena (Ethiopian harp) lessons. In addi�on, our Sunday school children performed Ethiopian New Year, Christmas and Easter plays as well as regularly singing hymns at each service. This is also a year where we have moved significantly closer towards achieving the Church’s long held hope of finding a permanent Church building. We made an offer to buy a Church building in West London which was accepted in March 2025. We are now in the process of conveyancing and raising funds to complete the purchase of this Church building. In terms of raising funds for the purchase of a Church building, as at 31[st] March our building fund reserve stands at £210k (£75k March 2024). This was achieved through organised events and dona�ons from our members. mortgage finances and complete the purchase of the Church building. The building purchase project is overseen by the Parish Administra�ve Council and is led by the Building Purchase and Fundraising commi�ees and we hope to complete our purchase during the next financial year. ## and we believe that the Church's ac�vi�es described above provide significant public benefit in line with the guidance. The Churches religious services are a source of comfort and healing to its congrega�on. The church pays significant role in the lives of its members and the wider community as a pillar of their belief system, values and iden�ty. These include addressing challenges of isola�on, age and migra�on. During the year, members of our clergy and congrega�on paid a visit to a migrant centre mee�ng recent arrivals to the UK of varying na�onality and faith offering food and words of comfort from our clergy. The Church also arranged transport for a limited number of migrants of the Orthodox faith to a�end our annual celebra�on in December 2025. Members of the wider community o�en visit our Church in order to know more about the faith and / or seeking comfort, assistance and companionship. The Church is open and welcoming of those who visit our Church regardless of membership. We offer a warm welcome to all, invite our visitors who wish to take part in breaking of bread a�er our service and provide assistance where that is possible. The church also provides religious and language educa�on to young people contribu�ng towards a posi�ve all rounded development and ci�zenship. It provides an immeasurable amount of social capital by bringing likeminded people together to link and support each other. The Church also provides pastoral care to its congrega�on by visi�ng the sick and imprisoned and praying for the living, the dead and the whole world. 4 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **Acknowledgements** The PAC would like to thank all our clergies who serve our Church with dedica�on and passion in keeping with the tradi�ons and teachings of His Grace. We would also like to give thanks to all our other volunteers who set up, clean, steward, cater and carry out many other ac�vi�es without which none of the services of the Church will be possible. including the Sunday school services, and serving in commi�ees and all other ac�vi�es which contribute to the development of the Church. ## **Financial Review** During the year the charity generated a total income of £216k and incurred total expenditure of £81k, resul�ng in a surplus of £135k. ## **Reserves policy** approximately 6 months of cost to cover rent, clergy allowance, and any emergencies that may arise. The balance of designated and restricted funds of £74k is held for securing a permanent building for the Church. ## **Declara�on** The Parish Administra�on Council (Trustees) declares that it approves the above report. Signed on behalf of the Trustees, Signature: Date: 09 September 2025 ## **Father Samuel Kassa** 5 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LONDON DEBRE SEMAYAT MEDHANEALEM & ST. GABRIEL ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 2024 TO MARCH 2025 I report to the charity trustees on my examina�on of the accounts of London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian orthodox Tewahedo church for the 12 months period ended 31 March 2025. ## **Responsibili�es and basis of report** As the charity trustees you are responsible for the prepara�on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chari�es Act 2011 ('the Act'). I report in respect of my examina�on of the Chari�es accounts carried out under sec�on 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examina�on I have followed all applicable Direc�ons given by the Charity Commission under sec�on 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** a�en�on in connec�on with the examina�on giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accoun�ng records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by sec�on 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Chari�es (Accounts and Reports) Regula�ons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a ma�er considered as part of an independent examina�on. I have no concerns and have come across no other ma�ers in connec�on with the examina�on to which a�en�on should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 09 September 2025 Belaynesh Hailemariam FCCA BE Smart Finance Ltd 74 Holland Road London W14 8BN 6 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **LONDON DEBRE SEMAYAT MEDHANEALEM & ST. GABRIEL ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
TOTAL TOTAL
NOTE Unrestricted Resticted Designated 2025 2024
Incoming resources £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 2 36,739 - 58,110 94,849 51,110
Charitable activities
Collection, services, other
income 3 68,572 - - 68,572 18,349
Event Income 3 - - 52,785 52,785
Other income 4 - - - 49,432
Total 105,311 - 110,895 216,206 118,891
Resources expended
Expenditure on:
Cost of charitable activities 5 75,720 - 5,000 80,720 29,417
Total 75,720 - 5,000 80,720 29,417
Net Income 29,592 - 105,895 135,486 89,474
Movement in Funds 10
Transfer between funds (29,592) 29,592 0 0
Total Funds Brought Forward 15,000 49,432 25,042 89,474
Total Funds Carried Forward 15,000 49,432 160,529 224,960 89,474
**----- End of picture text -----**
7 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **LONDON DEBRE SEMAYAT MEDHANEALEM & ST. GABRIEL ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025** |**NOTES**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible Assets
**6**
**TOTAL FIXED ASSETS**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash at bank and on hand
**7**
Debtors
**8**
**TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS**
**LIABILITIES**
Amounts falling due in one year
**9**
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**NET ASSETS**
**REPRESENTED BY**
Unrestricted Reserves
**10**
Designated Reserves - Building Fund
**10**
Restricted Reserves - Building Fund
**10**
**ACCUMULATED FUNDS**|**2025**
2024
**£**
£
10,323
8,765
**10,323**
8,765
186,347
76,095
37,630
6,484
**223,977**
82,579
9,340
1,870
**214,637**
80,709| |---|---| ||**224,960**
89,474| ||15,000
15,000

160,528
25,042

49,432
49,432| ||**224,960**
89,474| 8 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **Notes** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POUCIES** ## at cost or transac�on value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts, and in accordance with Accoun�ng and Repor�ng by Chari�es: Statement of Recommended Prac�ce applicable to chari�es preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Repor�ng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (as amended for accoun�ng period commencing 1January 2016) - (Chari�es SORP (FRS 102)),the Financial Repor�ng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006; and the Chari�es Act 2011. London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church cons�tutes a public benefit en�ty as defined by FRS 102. Assets and liabili�es are ini�ally recognised at historical cost or transac�on value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accoun�ng policy. ## **1.2 Charity status** The Charity is registered as a CIO on 23 September 2023. It is governed by its Trustees. ## **1.3 Fund accoun�ng** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discre�on of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objec�ves of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Where there are designated funds, it comprises unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for purposes. restric�ons imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for par�cular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. ## **1.4 Going concern** charity has adequate resources to con�nue in opera�onal existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertain�es about the chari�es ability to con�nue as a going concern. The charity therefore con�nues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. ## **1.5 Incoming resources** Income is recognised once the charitable company has en�tlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of Income receivable can be measured reliably. Income tax recoverable in rela�on to dona�ons received under Gi� Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the �me of the dona�on. 9 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **Notes (con�nued)** ## **1.6 Resources expended** a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in se�lement and the amount of the obliga�on can be measured reliably. Charitable ac�vi�es are costs incurred on the church's opera�ons. ## All assets cos�ng more than £500 are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: ## **1.8 Taxa�on** As a registered charity, London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within sec�on 505 of the Taxes Act1988 or s256 of the Taxa�on of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable ## **1.9 Leasing and hire purchase** Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Assets financial ac�vi�es incorpora�ng income and expenditure account so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obliga�on outstanding in each period. ## **1.10 Cash at Bank and in hand** Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisi�on or opening of the deposit or similar account. ## **1.11 Liabili�es and provisions** Liabili�es are recognised when there is an obliga�on at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in se�lement, and the amount of the se�lement can be es�mated reliably. U�li�es are recognised at the amount that the charity an�cipates it will pay to se�le the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best es�mate of the amounts required to se�le the obliga�on. Where the effect of the �me value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount Is recognised within interest payable and similar charges. 10 London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian OrthodoxTewahedo Church Notes Icontinuedl 2. DONATIONS LlTrrethrled 2025 DesigTraled 2025 TOTAi 2025 TOTAL 2024 Member5 contribution5 Donatlons, Tlthes and Offerlngs r￿ft31￿ (rec￿SsifIed fr(xn chaiitable activities) 5.670 20,678 10.391 36,739 55.970 28,488 10,391 94,849 31.701 19.409 0.304 57,414 7,810 58,110 3. CHARITABLEAcfiviTJES D?$iEneied 2025 TOTAL TOTAL 2025 2025 2024 Collecticns 65,115 545 65,115 545 12.045 Services Event Income 52,784 52,784 2,912 121.356 Other Intome 2,912 68,572 52,784 12,045 4. OTHER INCOME TOTAL TOTAL 2025 2024 Fund tr3nsferred from (Ad charity Sep-23 Add.. Incomè from monthlygathèrln8S Less.. monthly gatheringexpenses Less.. Storage costs 3 years toAugust 2023 Fund transferred from (Ad charity Sep-23 62,017 5,910 15.9101 112.5851 49,432 5. COST OF CHARITABLEACTIVITIES Unrestrlcte+J Designaled 2025 TOTAL TOTAL 2025 2026 2024 Allowances 41,195 3.635 1,1 15,329 828 Administr3tive costs Legal ¢￿t Donation Fixtures and Fittirws < E5(K) DepretiÈtion Rent& Storage 5.000 1.200 1,200 290 1,586 3,262 1.913 27,486 75,720 1.913 27.486 80,720 8,412 29.417 li ## London Debre Semayat Medhanealem & St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ## **Notes (con�nued)** |**6. FIXED ASSETS**||**TOTAL**
TOTAL
**2025**
2024
**£**
£| |---|---|---| |Fixture & Fittings||**8,765**
0| |Additions during the year
Total Fixed Asset
Depreciation during the year
Net Book Value||**3,471**
8,765| |||**12,236**
8,765| |||**-1,913**
0| |||**10,323**
8,765| |**7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
**8. DEBTORS**
Accrued income - giftaid
Other||**TOTAL**
TOTAL
**2025**
2024
**£**
£| |||**186,347**
76,095| |||**TOTAL**
TOTAL
**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**35,118**
6,304
**2,511**
180| |||**37,629**
6,484| |||| |**9. LIABILITIES**
Accrued expenditure||**TOTAL**
TOTAL
**2025**
2024
**£**
£
**9,340**
1,870| |||**9,340**
1,870| |**10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (RESERVES)**||| |Opening reserves
Surplus in the year
Transfers
Carried forward balance|**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**TOTAL**
TOTAL
**Building Fund**
**Building Fund**
**2025**
2024
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
£
**15,000**
**25,042**
**49,432**
**89,474**
-
**29,592**
**105,895**
**-**
**135,486**
89,474
**(29,592)**
**29,592**
**-**
**-**
-|| ||**15,000**
**160,529**
**49,432**
**224,960**
89,474|| 12