Barking Chapel Trustees Report 24-25
Barking Chapel is an independent Evangelical Free Church which was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 11[th] December 2024.
Before this the Church operated on a joint trust with Battisford Free Church, with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches as holding trustee.
Whilst a new constitution was adopted at this time the governance of the Church and the way it operates continued largely unchanged.
The purposes of the Church, as set out in the constitution are:
The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively in Barking, Suffolk and the surrounding neighbourhood and such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to; the prevention of, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life; provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook.
The Trustees of Barking Chapel, including the Pastor, Graham Steward have undertaken responsibility for promoting the mission of the Church through worships services, evangelistic outreach and social activities.
The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in their decisions.
The programme of the church offers a range of activities designed to enable people to better understand the Christian faith and to put it into practice
Pastoral care and counsel is provided as required through visits to the home, hospital or care home.
The church provides a range of services and meetings to cater for the needs of a wide range of people: The weekly Sunday morning services include sung praise, prayer, reading from the Bible and preaching from it. When there is a fifth Sunday in the month an all-age service takes place. The twice monthly evening services vary in format. Some focus on praise; some focus on preaching; some are more informal and some are run ‘cafe’ style with food. Whilst the numbers attending are not large, there is a large range of ages from under five to over ninety. This is particularly so on a Sunday evening.
The Church usually runs a four hour children’s craft and activity session during each school holiday. This is geared towards primary age children.
In the wider community, the Pastor regularly conducts services in two local care homes. He is also able, along with a small team of others, to lead a weekly assembly in the local primary school in Ringshall. Our Pastor usually leads an annual village Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in conjunction with the local Parish Church.
The Pastor contributes an article in the local Parish Magazine,which is distributed in four villages. This enables us to publicise our services and events. The Good News christian newspaper is delivered each month. This presents the Christian message in an accessible format.
The Trustees are grateful to those who volunteer in many ways to enable the Church to function. This includes providing music, operating PA and projector, catering and also dealing with finance and many other tasks.
Barking Chapel CIO operates in accordance with the Constitution and Member’s Handbook which were adopted by the Members Meeting on 1[st] December 2024
The Trustees are elected by the members at a Member’s Meeting which is the primary decision making body of the Church. The Pastor is also elected by the members and is an ex-officio Trustee. The Trustees meet regularly and are responsible for the day to day running of the Church.
The Trustees are:
Graham Steward; Pastor and Chairman – ex-officio trustee Michael Beales; Safeguarding lead – elected trustee Simon Welham: Finance Officer- elected trustee
The Treaurer, Jonathan Green is not a trustee but is answerable to them via the Finance Officer
Finance
Total receipts were £12,834 with total payments being £26,018 resulting in a deficit for the year of £13,184. Cash balances held at the end of the year totalled £42,242 (£7,428 in current account and £34,814 in Reserve account). Although income was slightly higher than the previous year, expenditure was also slightly higher than the year before, the difference being higher CIO application costs. Although the income is below the threshold of requiring an independent examination, the trustees are happy to have one conducted and this accounting period is currently being reviewed by an independent examiner.
Barking Chapel raised its funds from donations within its own membership and congregation during this year. We have been able to support other Christian organisations who share the same charitable purpose as us. The beneficiaries of this support were UFM/Stewardship, Tear Fund and Barnabus Fund.
A full set of accounts for the year ending September 2025 can be seen accompanying this return.
Barking Chapel CIO
Registered charity; no. 1211369
Address: Barking Chapel Barking Tye Ipswich Suffolk IP6 8HU
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from To 2024 2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricled funds Restricted funds Endowment fund5 Total funds Last yèar to the nearest to the nearesl£ lo the nearest £ to th• n68ros¢£ to the nearest£ A1 Receipts Oflerings- General Ballislord Free Church- Tfr lor gifi aid Gifts & DoDallons Bank Inleresl 10,526 1,480 565 263 10.$26 1,480 665 263 10,324 930 867 66 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 12,834 12,834 12.187 A2 As58t and Investment sales, Ise8 table). Sub total Total receipts 12.834 12.834 12.187 A3 Payments Electricity & Waier 1,827 619 624 9,969 7,200 555 255 210 214 1.827 619 624 9,969 7,200 sss 255 657 582 219 9,675 7,200 480 820 72 RepaiTS & Maintenance Mlnlslers Sbpend & Nl Minislers Hwslng Costs IUFMISlewardshipl - Tear Fund Barnabus FundlAld 214 1,OOQ 17 14S 512 1.358 194 Printing. sthiionery. CD'S DBS checkslmembership 150 5D8 3,528 150 508 3,528 CIO ApTAicalion Exp$. WIFI exps. Copyrlghl LICen linc stre8ming licencel 339 22 339 22 328 22 Flnd A Churth Sub total 26.018 26,018 23,543 A4 A8S8t and investment pur¢hases, (see table) Sub total Total payments 26,018 28,018 23,543 N8t of receipts/{payments) A5 fransfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 13,184 13,184 11,356 55,426 42.242 55,426 42,242 66,782 55,426 CCXX R18Gcounts ISSI 2317r26
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds Categories Detalls lo near98¢e to n8ar•$t £ B1 Cash funds Currenl Acwunl 7,428 Reserve Account 34,814 Total cash funds 42,242 l?gree balaeSl raceiptsand paymenig aCCt(sI) Unrestrlcted funds to nearest £ Restrict8d funds tC* nearèst £ Endowment funds to nearg8t£ Details Fund to whl¢b asset belon Current v&lue Detalls Cost lopllonall B3 Investment assets Fund io whl¢h •$$ei belon Current valu Detalls Cost loptlot))11 B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to whlch knitsunt due When du Detalls B5 Liabilities Signed by one or Iwo Iwslaès on bèhaifof all the trustee5 Signatur8 Prlnl Name Date ol roval Graham Stewaid 2317126 Michael Bealès 2317126 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI