**Charity registration number 266600**
# **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN**
## **COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
Rev Verena Jantzen Rev Lars Klehn (until 19.10.2023) Rev Silke Halfmann (from 19.10.2023) Dr Brigitte Jurack Pastor Kai Thierbach Dr Michaela Scheuermann-Freestone Lutz Lemmer
Treasurer Dr. Christoph Reimnitz
**Charity number** 266600 **Principal address** 10 Sandwich Street London WC1H 9BL **Independent examiner** Tilesh Patel The SME Clinic 7 Stratford Place London W1C 1AY
SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED
CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN
COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 4|
|Independent examiner's report|5|
|Statement of financial activities|6|
|Statement of financial position|7|
|Notes to the financial statements|8 - 21|
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Synod's governing documents, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
## **Objectives and activities**
The Synod is established to advance the protestant Christian religion, amongst German Speakers in Great Britain. In achieving this object, the Synod fosters solidarity between its member congregations and a common approach to questions of Christian faith and life. It attends to the ecclesiastical and social life of the congregations and concerns itself with the maintenance of Christian life.
The Synod provides the congregations with ministers, advice, training, and oversight so that they can provide public benefits in accordance with their charitable objectives and their agreements with the Synod.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Synod should undertake.
## **Achievements and performance**
The Synod is responsible for providing and organising effective German-speaking Protestant ministry in Great Britain. It supports the member congregations by employing pastors and pastoral assistants for German worship and pastoral care when needed, even where there is no organised congregation.
The Synod support to its member congregations includes visitations and training.
Furthermore, the Synod supports the member congregations by giving advice, examining their finances and legal documents, and providing them with templates for their day-to-day work. In 2022 the Synod was awarded a Grade A Sponsorship Licence for the UK Visa Immigration Sponsorship Scheme.
The Synod supports the member congregations by giving grants towards the church work, to support children's groups, and in support of specific projects and outings. It also makes contributions towards the cost of repairs of the rectories occupied by the pastors.
At the beginning of 2023 eight pastors were employed, who worked with 18 congregations supporting about 30 places of worship.
The Synod employs two administrative staff, one as Synod Administrator with specific responsibility for the day-today operations of the office and a Finance Administrator responsible for the administrating all financial affairs including regular payments and keeping the Synods bookkeeping up to date. Both roles are part time and limited to 18 and 15 hours of work per week respectively. Following the resignation of the Finance Administrator in late 2022 a new Finance Administrator started in the role as per March 27, 2023.
## _**Quality Management**_
The Synod supports the member congregations by visitation and training. A visitation to a congregation sets in motion a process of reflection; whether their activities match their objectives and whether improvement is possible. Volunteer training enables them to lead worship, to offer worship for children, to lead the congregation and to manage its finances. This supports good governance and develops the skills of the current and future lay community, helping to ensure the long-term continuity of the congregations.
- 1 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## _**Administrative Support to Congregations**_
The Synod supports the member congregations by giving advice, examining their finances and legal documents, and providing them with templates for their day-to-day work. The Synod holds a Grade A Sponsorship License for the UK Visa Immigration Sponsorship Scheme and assists new pastors with the visa application process. The Synod arranges an annual meeting for the Treasurers of the congregations to discuss financial matters, share best practices and gain a better understanding of the financial needs across the Synod.
## _**Financial Support to Congregations**_
The Synod supports the member congregations by giving grants. It gives support grants towards the church work, supports children’s groups, specific projects and outings, partly pays for repairs to the rectories inhabited by the pastors and supports congregations in deficit. The Synod further supports member congregations by applying to the Kaiser Wilhelm II Fund for grants which are then distributed to the Congregations.
## _**Networking between Congregations**_
The Synod Assembly held each spring as the Synods annual general meeting, and the Church Treasurers’ day usually held each winter provide opportunities for trustees of the congregations throughout great Britain to share their ideas for congregational work and to discuss matters of Christian faith.
## _**Representation**_
The Synod represents German speaking Protestants at the German Embassy, at the General Assembly of Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) and in several ecumenical organisations throughout Great Britain and in Europe. It delivers a presentation about the German-speaking church work in Great Britain at the Deutsch Evangelische Kirchentag in Germany.
## **Financial review**
During fiscal 2023 the Synod moved from its legacy accounting system ‘Banana’ to a more contemporary accounting software ‘Quickbooks’ to facilitate incoming and outgoing bookings and create greater financial transparency.
## **Income**
The Syond has effectively 4 sources of income.
## _**Congregation Contributions**_
The Synod's income derives for the largest part from contributions by the congregations of £317,424 or 66% (2022: £345,000 or 76%). However, an amount of £3,000 was written off as irrecoverable. The Synod Assembly determines the contribution to be paid by each congregation. The amount for 2022 was increased to £58,000 from £57,500 in 2022 to move closer to a balanced budget.
## _**Grants and donations**_
Grants to congregations are made from donations and grants made to the Synod. In 2023 the highest grant ever, of £70,000 was made by the Kaiser Wilhelm II Fund (Registered Charity Number 1117748) for a variety of activities aimed at creating an active community life. The Synod submitted a grant application to the Kaiser Wilhelm II Fund in April 2023 which was reviewed during a (virtual) meeting with representatives of the fund.
## _**Dividends and Interest Income**_
Net income from investments in 2023 amounted to £42,795 (2022: £39,719), the majority of which was derived from dividends, with £3,298 (2022: £828) being interest income.
## _**Other financial contributions**_
In 2023 a financial reimbursement of £43,435 (2022: £18,171) towards the costs of the pastoral assistant from London-West was received.
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **EXPENDITURE**
## _**Salaries**_
Salaries of the pastors represent the largest part of the Synod's expenditure of £382,378 or 78% (2022: £351,756, or 75%) The employment costs of pastors are denominated in Euros and are therefore impacted by fluctuating currency exchange rates.
## _**Financial support to the Congregations**_
In 2023 the Synod provided financial support to the Congregations at a total amount of £39,627 (2022: £46,826).
## _**Administrative support costs**_
In 2023 the Synod incurred total expenses of £62,351 (2022: £55,136) to provide administrative support to the congregations. The majority of these costs were borne by salaries for the administrative and financial support staff totalling £38,377 (2022: £42,924). The balance was spent on such items as legal fees, insurance, accounting support, costs for the independent examiner and other administrative items.
## _**Changes in financial position**_
During the financial year 2023 net assets saw an overall increase of 5.3% mainly as a result of unrealised gains on investments. The value of the Synod’s net assets as at 31/12/2023 increased from £1,571,284 to £1,655,139 which is an increase of £83,855 as a result of recovery in capital markets.
## _**Seafarer's Mission**_
The Synod processes payment of salaries for the UK-based staff of the German Seafarer's Mission (Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V.- DSM), a German registered charity. It does so with funds received from the DSM in accordance with its instructions. However, the support ended as per 30 April 2023.
## _**Restricted and unrestricted funds**_
In 2023, the unrestricted funds (reserves) stood at £837,501 (2021: £809,030).
In 2017, the trustees decided to designate the main part of these reserves for income generation, with the exception of the amount deemed necessary by the Trustees to be held as cash, or cash equivalent, to maintain sufficient liquidity in preparedness for unexpected events.
## _**Reserves**_
The Synod's policy for holding reserves is to keep the liquid amount of unrestricted funds at least equal to 24 months of operating expenditure, less the direct costs of ministry, to safeguard the continuity of operations. In the Trustees' judgment, the adequate minimum amount to be held as liquid General Reserves for this purpose remains set at £200,000.
At the end of 2023, the amount kept in current accounts and cash-equivalent fixed term accounts with banking institutions located in the UK and in Germany was £246,869 (2021: £222,182).
In 2023, the Synod had a net surplus of £83,855 (2022: deficit of £179,628). The Synod's unrestricted funds increased by £28,469 (2022: decreased by £102,110).
The Synod received no grants or other income from central or local government.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Synod is a Trust, governed by its Constitution.
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##
##
##
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Synod of German-speaking Lutheran, Reformed and United Congregations in Great Britain (the Synod) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the Synod you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Synod’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the Synod’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Synod as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 financial statements to be reached.
## **Tilesh Patel**
The SME Clinic 7 Stratford Place London W1C 1AY
Dated: 20/04/2024
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**Notes**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**3**
70,000
Charitable activities
**4**
1,295
Investments
**5**
19,724
**Total Income**
91,019
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**6**
101,249
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**10**
39,233
**Net incoming/(outgoing)**
**resources before transfers**
29,003
Gross transfers between funds
**18**
-
**Net incoming/(outgoing)**
**resources**
29,003
**Other recognised gains and**
**losses**
Other gains or losses
**11**
(534)
**Net movement in funds**
28,469
Fund balances at 1 January 2023
809,030
**Fund balances at 31 December**
**2023**
837,499|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
365,809
23,071
388,880
385,942
54,179
57,117
-
57,117
(1,731)
55,386
762,254
817,640|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
70,000
367,104
42,795
479,899
487,191
93,412
86,120
-
86,120
(2,265)
83,855
1,571,284
1,655,139|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2022**
**£**
50,300
8,291
17,524|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2022**
**£**
-
357,880
22,195|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
50,300
366,171
39,719|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||76,115|380,075|456,190|
||||101,902|366,715|468,617|
||||(72,692)|(99,714)|(172,406)|
||||(98,479)
(3,631)|(86,354)
3,631|(184,833)
-|
||||(102,110)
-|(82,723)
5,205|(184,833)
5,205|
||||(102,110)
911,140|(77,518)
839,772|(179,628)
1,750,912|
||||809,030|762,254|1,571,284|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION**
## _**AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
|**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Fixed Assets**
Property, plant and equipment
**12**
1,716
Investments
**13**
1,451,046
1,452,762
**Current Assets**
Trade and other receivables
**15**
10,625
Cash at bank and in hand
246,869
257,494
**Current Liabilities**
**16**
(55,117)
Net current assets
202,377
**Total assets less current liabilities**
1,655,139
**Income Funds**
Restricted funds
**18**
817,638
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
Income Generation Fund
**19**
637,501
General Unrestricted Fund
200,000
837,501
**Fund balances at 31 December 2023**
1,655,139
**2023**|**£**
**£**
1
1,359,364
1,359,365
-
222,182
222,182
(10,263)
211,919
1,571,284
762,254
609,030
200,000
809,030
1,571,284
**2022**|**£**
**£**
1
1,359,364
1,359,365
-
222,182
222,182
(10,263)
211,919
1,571,284
762,254
609,030
200,000
809,030
1,571,284
**2022**|
|---|---|---|
|||1,359,365
211,919|
|||1,571,284|
|||762,254
809,030|
|||1,571,284|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
.............................. Rev Verena Jantzen **Trustee**
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Synod of German-speaking Lutheran, Reformed and United Congregations in Great Britain is an unincorporated charity, governed by it's Constitution.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
Accounts have been prepared on accruals basis in accordance with the rules applicable to non-company registered charities with a gross income of over £250,000.
As a public benefit entity under FRS102, the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) effective 1 January 2015.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Synod. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
All income and expenditure have arisen from continuing activities.
Having taken all available information into account, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the next 12 months as well as for the foreseeable future and thus are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particularly restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particularly restricted purposes.
## **1.4 Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Contractual income is recognised once the service has been provided.
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their fair values to the charity at the amount realised on sale. Donated services are included in income and expenditure where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material at the estimated value to the charity, with exception of volunteer help which is not included in the accounts.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Synod has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies (Continued)**
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Synod has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
## **1.5 Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a specific heading, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **1.6 Property, plant and equipment**
A tangible fixed asset is capitalised if its initial cost is at least £500.
Fixed asset investments are measured initially at cost and revalued at the end of the reporting period to their fair value. The value of investment funds is based on the unit bid price. For investments listed or traded on a recognised exchange, fair value is the market value. If the fair value cannot be measured reliably, including for social investments, revaluation is based on cost less impairment.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:
Plant and equipment N/A Computers Linear over four years
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.7 Non-current investments**
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
## **1.8 Impairment of non-current assets**
At each reporting end date, the Synod reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies (Continued)**
## **1.10 Financial instruments**
The Synod has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Synod's balance sheet when the Synod becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Synod’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **1.11 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **1.12 Employee benefits**
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Synod is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
## **1.13 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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**SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **1 Accounting policies (Continued)**
## **1.14 Foreign exchange**
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the middle market spot rate as published by the Bank of England for the balance sheet date.
Transaction amounts in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction based on the middle market spot rate as published by the Bank of England unless the actual transaction rate can be identified.
Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the Synod’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
## **3 Donations and legacies**
|Donations and gifts
**Donations and gifts**
Kaiser Willhelm II Fund
Other|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
70,000
70,000
-
70,000|Unrestricted
Funds
2022
£
50,300|
|---|---|---|
|||50,000
300|
|||50,300|
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **4 Charitable activities**
|Ministry Synod Fees
Pastoral Assistance Refunds
Other Services
Provision of Admin Support Services to DSM
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restrocted funds|**Council**
**Activities**
**2023**
**£**
320,424
43,435
1,295
1,950
367,104
1,295
365,809
367,104|Council
Activities
2022
£
345,000
18,171
-
3,000|
|---|---|---|
|||366,171|
|||8,291
357,880|
|||366,171|
## **5 Investments**
|Income from listed
investments
Interest receivable
**Total Income**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
16,426
3,298
19,724|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
23,071
-
23,071|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
39,497
3,298
42,795|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2022**
**£**
16,696
828|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2022**
**£**
22,195
-|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
38,891
828|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||17,524|22,195|39,719|
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## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **6 Charitable activities**
**For the year ended 31 December 2023**
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**For the year ended 31 December 2023**
**Ministry**
**2023**
**£**
Staff costs
382,378
Relocation costs
-
Lay Training
2,276
ACAT membership
-
ThirtyOneEight
-
Maintenance
-
Synod fee written off
-
Budget/special support
-
Congregation work
-
Ecumenical
-
Memberships
-
Other representation
-
384,654
Share of support costs (note 7)
26,289
Share of governance costs
(note 7)
1,795
412,738
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
30,360
Restricted funds
382,378
412,738||**Quality**
**Management**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Administrative**
**Financial**
**Support to**
**Support to**
**Congregations Congregations Networking**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
143
-
-
145
-
-
-
564
-
-
3,000
-
-
1,387
-
-
30,209
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
288
35,160
-
4,265
4,389
4,265
78
78
12,394
4,631
39,627
16,659
4,631
36,063
16,659
-
3,564
-
4,631
39,627
16,659|||**Representation**
**Total**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
-
382,378
-
-
-
2,276
-
143
-
145
-
564
-
3,000
-
1,387
-
30,209
1,580
1,580
-
-
3,158
3,158
4,738
424,839
4,265
47,738
190
14,613
9,193
487,191
9,193
101,249
-
385,942
9,193
487,191||Total
2022
351,756
11,093
1,204
133
-
14,959
-
421
31,825
1,516
200
374|
||384,654
26,289
1,795|-
4,265
78|288
4,265
78|35,160
4,389
78|-
4,265
12,394|4,738
4,265
190|424,839
47,738
14,613|413,481
50,259
4,877|
||412,738|4,343|4,631|39,627|16,659|9,193|487,191|468,617|
||30,360
382,378|4,343
-|4,631
-|36,063
3,564|16,659
-|9,193
-|101,249
385,942|101,902
366,715|
||412,738|4,343|4,631|39,627|16,659|9,193|487,191|468,617|
- 13 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **6 Charitable activities (Continued)**
**For the year ended 31 December 2022**
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**For the year ended 31 December 2022**
Staff costs
Relocation costs
Lay Training
ACAT membership
ThirtyOneEight
Maintenance
Synod fee written off
Budget/special support
Congregation work
Ecumenical
Memberships
Other representation
Share of support costs (note 7)
Share of governance costs (note 7)
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds|**Ministry**
**2022**
**£**
351,756
11,093
1,204
-
-
-
-
421
-
-
-
-|**Quality**
**Management**
**2022**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Administrative**
**Financial**
**Support to**
**Support to**
**Congregations Congregations Networking**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
133
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,959
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
31,825
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|||**Representation**
**Total**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
-
351,756
-
11,093
-
1,204
-
133
-
-
-
14,959
-
-
-
421
-
31,825
1,516
1,516
200
200
374
374||
||364,474
25,385
2,439|-
4,904
90|133
4,904
90|46,784
5,027
90|-
4,904
1,904|2,090
5,135
264|413,481
50,259
4,877|
||392,298|4,994|5,127|51,901|6,808|7,489|468,617|
||40,542
351,756|4,994
-|5,127
-|36,942
14,959|6,808
-|7,489
-|101,902
366,715|
||392,298|4,994|5,127|51,901|6,808|7,489|468,617|
- 14 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **7 Support costs**
|Staff Costs
Depreciation
Office Costs
Insurance
Legal Fees
Bank Charges
HR Services
Payroll Processing Costs
Communication Costs
Office Equipmemt
Other Administrative Costs
Accountancy
Synod Assembly
Sponsorship Licence
Synod Council
**Total Income**|**Support**
**Costs**
**2023**
**£**
38,377
572
1,270
1,237
480
124
472
3,438
188
68
1,512
-
-
-
-
47,738|**Governance**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,517
12,316
220
561
14,613|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
38,377
572
1,270
1,237
480
124
472
3,438
188
68
1,512
1,517
12,316
220
561
62,351|Support
Costs
2022
**£**
42,924
-
3,857
1,267
-
122
-
864
405
52
768|Governance
Funds
2022
**£**
-
2,160
1,814
38
865|Total
2022
**£**
42,924
-
3,857
1,267
-
122
-
864
405
52
768
2,160
1,814
38
865|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||50,259|4,877|55,136|
Governance costs include payments to the Independent Examiner of £840 (2022: £840)
- 15 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **8 Trustees**
The Trustees do not receive any remuneration for their services as trustees. In the reporting period, the following Trustees were employed by the Synod as pastors and received salaries for their non-trustee services in the Congregations of their Pastoral Region, or were reimbursed the following expenses:
|**Trustee remuneration**
Pastor Thierbach
Pastor Halfmann
Pastor Klehn
Pastor Jantzen
**Trustee expenses**
Pastor Jantzen
Pastor Klehn
Pastor Thierbach
Brigitte Jurack
Lutz Lemmer
**9**
**Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
**Employee costs**
Wages and salaries
Spcial security costs
Other pension costs||**2023**
**£**
63,346
60,192
50,584
29,984|2022
£
63,120
-
56,860
27,584
147,564
1,984
88
132
2,204
2022
Number
8
2022
£
386,571
5,701
2,408
394,680|
|---|---|---|---|
|||204,106||
|||1,105
499
270
82
-||
|||1,956||
|||**2023**
**Number**
11
**2023**
**£**
399,498
6,385
2,556
408,439||
- 16 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **9 Employees (Continued)**
|The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000|||
|---|---|---|
|is as follows:|||
||**2023**|2022|
||**Number**|Number|
|£60,000 - £70,000|2|1|
## **10 Net gains/(losses) on investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||Unrestricted|Restricted||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Total**|Funds|Funds|Total|
||**2023**|**2023**|**2023**|2022|2022|2022|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|£|£|£|
|Revaluation of investments|39,233|54,179|93,412|(72,692)|(99,714)|(172,406)|
- 17 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **11 Other gains or losses**
|**Other gains or losses**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Foreign exchange losses
**Property, plant and equipment**
**Cost**
At 1 January 2023
Additions
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2023
Carrying Amount
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
**Fixed asset investments**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 January 2023
Valuation changes
At 31 December 2023
**Carrying Amount**
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022|**Plant and**
**equipment**
**£**
-
-|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
(1,731)
**Computers**
**£**
1,635
2,288
3,923
1,635
572
2,207
1,716
1
**Unlisted**
**investments**
**£**
79,808
(1,731)|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
(1,731)||Restricted
Funds
2022
£
(5,205)|
||||||**Total**
**£**
1,635
2,288
3,923
1,635
572
2,207
1,716
1
**Total**
**£**
1,359,365
91,681
1,451,046
1,451,046
1,359,364|
||-|||||
||-
-|||||
||-|||||
||-|||||
||-|||||
||**Listed**
**investments**
**£**
1,279,556
93,412|||||
||1,372,968|78,078||||
||1,372,968|78,078||||
||1,279,556|79,808||||
## **12 Property, plant and equipment**
## **13 Fixed asset investments**
- 18 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **14 Financial instruments**
|**Carrying amount of financial instruments**
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss
**15**
**Trade and other receivables**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
**16**
**Current liabilities**
**Carrying amount of financial instruments**
Other taxes and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss||**2023**
**£**
1,372,968
**2023**
**£**
10,625||**2022**
**£**
1,279,556
**2022**
**£**
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||**2023**
**£**
7,195
47,922||**2022**
**£**
7,222
3,041
-
10,263|
|||55,117|||
## **17 Retirement benefit schemes**
## **Defined contribution schemes**
The Synod operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Synod in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £2,556 (2022 - £2,408).
- 19 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
## **18 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
|Salary Savings
Fund
Congregation
Support Fund
Congregation
Shortfall Fund|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2022**
**£**
-
199,323
640,449|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
357,880
5,268
16,927|**Resources**
**expanded**
**£**
(366,715)
-
-|**Transfers**
**£**
3,631
-
-|**Revaluations,**
**gains and**
**losses**
**£**
5,204
(23,667)
(76,046)|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2023**
**£**
-
180,924
581,330|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
365,809
5,475
17,596|**Resources**
**expanded**
**£**
(382,378)
(3,564)
-|**Transfers**
**£**
16,569
-
(16,569)|**Revaluations,**
**gains and**
**losses**
**£**
-
13,078
39,370|**Balance at**
**31 December**
**2023**
**£**
-
195,913
621,727|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||839,772|380,075|(366,715)|3,631|(94,509)|762,254|388,880|(385,942)|-|52,448|817,640|
Included within the Revaluations, gain and losses in 2023 above is a foreign exchange loss of £1,731 (2022: loss of £5,205) on the Salary Savings Fund.
## **19 Designated funds**
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
|Inncome
Generation Fund|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2022**
**£**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**|**Resources**
**expanded**
**£**|**Transfers**
**£**|**Revaluations,**
**gains and**
**losses**
**£**|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2023**
**£**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**|**Resources**
**expanded**
**£**|**Transfers**
**£**|**Revaluations,**
**gains and**
**losses**
**£**|**Balance at**
**31 December**
**2023**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||711,140|76,115|(101,902)|(3,631)|(72,692)|609,030|130,252|(101,249)|-|(534)|637,499|
- 20 -
## **SYNOD OF GERMAN-SPEAKING LUTHERAN, REFORMED AND UNITED CONGREGATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN COUNCIL FOR GERMAN CHURCH WORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_
|**20**
**Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Fund balances are represented by:
Property, plant and
equipment
1,716
-
Investments
633,405
817,640
Current assets/(liabilities)
202,378
-
837,499
817,640|**Total**
Unrestricted
funds
**2022**
2021
**£**
£
1,716
1
1,451,045
597,110
202,378
211,919
1,655,139
809,030|Restricted
funds
2021
£
-
762,254
-
762,254|Total
2021
£
1
1,359,364
211,920|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,571,285|
## **21 Related party transactions**
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).
- 21 -