## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHIDO CHURCH UNITED KINGDON AND IRELAND DIOCESE LEEDS DEBRE SEBHAT MEDHANEALEM CHURCH**
**Trustees' Annual Report 31 December 2024**
**Charity number: 1208329**
Table of Contents
**Trustees Report** ..................................................................................................................................... 3-4 **Independent Examiner’s Report** ............................................................................................................. 5 **Statement of Financial Ac�vi�es** ........................................................................................................... 6 **Balance Sheet** ............................................................................................................................................. 7 **Notes** ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-11
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## **Trustees’ Report**
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem Church was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on **20 May 2024** and is regulated by the **Charity Commission for England and Wales** under the new charity number **1208329** .
It was previously operational under another charity, Leeds Debre Sibhat Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido charity number **1166384** . The Trustees decided to change the legal structure of the charity by establishing a new CIO, registered as a separate charity.
On **20 May 2024** , the activities, assets and liabilities of Leeds Debre Sibhat Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo **(charity number 1166384)** were transferred to Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem Church **Charity CIO (charity number 1208329)** , a Charitable Incorporated Organisation established to continue the work of the former charity.
The transfer was made at net book value, and the CIO continues to pursue the same charitable purposes, with the same governance arrangements and operations. The financial report covers for the period 20 May 2024 to December 2024.
## **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 regarded as the successor of the Holy Apostles and, as such, is entrusted by the Holy Spirit and the EOTC to oversee and preside over its Holy Synod, which is the highest legislative and executive authority.
The Archbishops, Bishops, and Episcopes of each Diocese are appointed by the Holy Synod to oversee parish churches within their respective diocesan territories.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem Church is part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church under the direct jurisdiction of the **Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland** .
The **Parish Administration Council (Trustees)** is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church’s activities and for overseeing the financial and legal affairs of the charity.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The object of the Church is the **advancement of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian faith** in accordance with the principles and regulations of the EOTC.
The Church’s main objective is to advance Christianity for the public benefit, in line with the tenets and traditions of the Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
## **Achievements and Performance**
Over the past year, our focus has been on providing regular Mass services and other religious activities for our members and the wider community. In addition to these services, we have
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held several major events, including our annual Christmas celebration, Easter Mass, and other significant religious festivals.
We have also supported various Gospel conferences and fundraising activities, which have strengthened our community and allowed us to share our faith with others.
With the generous support of our members, the charity successfully purchased its own church building in October 2024, marking a significant milestone in our development.
## **Funding and Contributions**
Our work is primarily funded through membership fees and donations received during Mass services. We are pleased to report a significant increase in contributions this year, which made it possible to purchase the church property and continue to maintain our operations, support our mission, and expand our outreach.
We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our members and for the numerous donations both financial and voluntary that have enabled us to thrive and grow. The time, commitment, and resources given by our community have been invaluable in supporting our shared faith and mission.
## **Overall Benefit and Impact to the Community**
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe that the Church’s activities, as outlined above, provide substantial public benefit in line with that guidance.
The Church’s religious services are a source of spiritual comfort and healing for its congregation. It plays a vital role in the lives of its members and the wider community as a pillar of faith, values, and cultural identity.
The Church also contributes to the wellbeing of its members by helping address challenges such as social isolation, ageing, and migration. Through its pastoral care, the Church provides emotional and social support, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and offering prayers for the living, the departed, and the wider world.
These spiritual and social services not only benefit individuals but also contribute to wider community cohesion and wellbeing, reducing social pressures and supporting a more harmonious society.
## **Acknowledgements**
The Parish Administration Council (Trustees) wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to all clergy who serve the Church with dedication and passion, upholding the traditions and teachings of EOTC.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our many volunteers who carry out countless activities without which none of the Church’s services would be possible.
The Trustees are deeply appreciative of everyone who has contributed in any way to the benefit of the Church and communities.
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## **Declaration**
The Parish Administration Council (Trustees) declares that it approves the above report.
## **Signed on behalf of the Trustee**
Rev Kefeyalew Aschalew Date: 28 October 2025
Chair of Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHIDO CHURCH UNITED KINGDON AND IRELAND DIOCESE LEEDS DEBRE SEBHAT MEDHANEALEM CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD 20 MAY 2024 TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examina�on of the accounts of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem Church for the year period 20 may 2024 to 31 December.
## **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.
Belaynesh Hailemariam FCCA BE Smart Finance Ltd
74 Holland Road
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## London
## W14 8BN
## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHIDO CHURCH UNITED KINGDON AND IRELAND DIOCESE LEEDS DEBRE SEBHAT MEDHANEALEM CHURCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR PERIOD 20 MAY 2024 -DECEMBER 2024**
|**TOTAL**
**NOTE Unrestricted Restricted**
**2024**
**Incoming resources**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations
**2**
16,021
**16,021**
Fund raising event
**3**
1,894
**1,894**
Charitable activities
**4**
78,907
**78,907**
Other Income
**5**
430
**430**
**Total**
**97,252**
**0**
**97,252**
**Resources expended**
**Expenditure on:**|**TOTAL**
**NOTE Unrestricted Restricted**
**2024**
**Incoming resources**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations
**2**
16,021
**16,021**
Fund raising event
**3**
1,894
**1,894**
Charitable activities
**4**
78,907
**78,907**
Other Income
**5**
430
**430**
**Total**
**97,252**
**0**
**97,252**
**Resources expended**
**Expenditure on:**|
|---|---|
||**97,252**
**0**
**97,252**|
|||
|Charitable Activities
**6**
22,738
0
**22,738**||
|Raising Funds
**7**
1,052
**1,052**||
|**Total**
**Net Income**
**Funds**
Funds transfered from old charity to the new CIO
**Total Funds Carried Forward**|**23,790**
**0**
**23,790**|
|||
||**73,462**
**0**
**73,462**|
||293,860|
||**367,322**
**0**
**73,462**|
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## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHIDO CHURCH UNITED KINGDON AND IRELAND DIOCESE**
## **LEEDS DEBRE SEBHAT MEDHANEALEM CHURCH**
**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|||**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**NOTES £**||
|**FIXED ASSETS**|||
|Tangible Assets|**8**|254,254|
|**TOTAL FIXED ASSETS**||**254,254**|
|**CURRENT ASSETS**|||
|Cash at bank and on hand|**9**|113,069|
|**TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS**||**113,069**|
||||
|**NET ASSETS**||**367,323**|
|**REPRESENTED BY**|||
|Income & Expenditure|**10**|73,462|
|Fund transferred from the old charity||293,860|
|**ACCUMULATED FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||**367,322**|
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## **Notes**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POUCIES**
##
recognised 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.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem 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 20 May 2024 and it is governed by its Trustees. T
## **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.
Where there are restricted funds, it would be funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restric�ons imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for par�cular purposes. The charity used its restricted funds to buy a church building during the year. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.
## **1.4 Going concern**
that the 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 charity has en�tlement to its income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of Income receivable can be measured reliably.
## **1.6 Resources expended**
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Expenditure is recognised once there Is a legal or construc�ve obliga�on to transfer economic benefit to 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 with a cost exceeding £500, and an expected useful life of more than one year, are treated as capital items.
Deprecia�on is not charged on land.
es�mated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
33%
Building 2%
## **1.8 Taxa�on**
As a registered charity, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church United Kingdom and Ireland Diocese Leeds Debre Sebhat Medhanealem Church is exempt from tax on income.
## **1.9 Cash at Bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash held at bank and Pe�y cash.
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|**2 Donations**
Donation from members
Tithes and Offerings
**3 Fund Raising Activities**
Fund raising event
**4 Charitiable activities**
Collections
Members contribution
Service- Christining, Wedding & Fithat
**5 Other income**
**6 Cost of charitable activities**
Allowances
Administrative costs
Small Item purchases
Rent
Depreciation
**7 Cost of Raising Funds**
Events
**8 Fixed assets**
**Building**
Fixture & Fittings
Less: Accumulated Depreciation- Building
Accumulated Depreciation- Fixture & Fittings
**9 Cash at bank and on hand**|**£**
**13,080**
2,941|
|---|---|
||**16,021**|
||**1,894**
73,527
4,320
1,060|
||**78,907**|
||430|
||**97,252**|
||11,685
5,012
686
4,094
1,261|
||**22,738**|
||1,052|
||**1,252**|
||252,925
2,590
1,012
249|
||**254,254**|
|||
||**113,069**|
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|**10 Reserves**
Opening reserves -fund transferred from old charity
Surplus in the year
Funds Carried forward|**Unrestricte**
**£**
**293,860**
73,462|
|---|---|
||**367,322**|
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