## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH**
## **ST. MARY OF ZION**
# **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 282910**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL**
## **STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
**ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ annual report|2 – 4|
|Statement of Financial Activities|5|
|Balance sheet|6|
|Notes to the financial statements|7 – 11|
|Independent examiner’s report|12|
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## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
## **1 Reference and Administrative Details**
The principal administrative details are included below:
Charity 282910 Number Charity Ethiopian Orthodox Church St Mary of Zion Name Registered 61 Coopers Lane Address London E10 5DG Board of Status Date Elected Trustees Keith Samuels (Kes Haile Maskel) Priest/ Keyholder 30 April 2008 Trevor Field (Melaka Sion Habte Mariam) Priest in Charge 30 April 2008 Guy Tombs (Tekle Wolde) Financial Advisor 26 November 2018 Pauline Anderson (Wolete Gabreal) Secretary 19 March 2025 Georgia Lewis (Wolete Kristos) Treasurer 19 March 2025
Legal Status Registered with Charities Commission
Independent Sam Tanyi: AAT. MLIBF. MACIE Examiner 13 Arkley Road London E17 7PD
## **2 Objectives and Activities**
Ethiopian Orthodox Church St. Mary of Zion (EOCSMZ) is a branch church Of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo (EOC), based in London UK. EOCSMZ has been catering for the spiritual, social, cultural and educational needs of her membership for the last 49 years. The EOCSMZ was registered as a charity on 23rd May 1981 with the objective of the propagation of the Gospel of Christ by advancing the EOTC faith and, in particular, charitable works within the Greater London, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. Ordained priests and deacons of the EOCSMZ conduct baptisms, marriages, funerals and other services in accordance with canon law. A key objective is to support families and their children by educating them on the orthodox way of life.
A key project is the renovation of the property acquired in 2011 into a place of worship/community centre in the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox style. The building is already used for a number of church activities including meetings and classes, but work is required to make it fully suitable for the all the required activities. The project was presented for discussion at the annual general meeting. It was then formally approved by a meeting of the parish council and also by a meeting of the trustees. Planning permission for the proposed development is in place and some work has been completed. A re-design has recently taken place and work commenced which is intended to focus efforts on making full use of the building as soon as resources permit.
## **3 Structure, Governance and Management**
The EOTCSMZ is constituted as a trust. The governing body of the EOTCSMZ is the parish council, the
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## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
membership of which includes a chairperson (the priest in charge), vice chairperson, the General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. Selected members of the parish council are also trustees of the charity.
Besides the parish council there are other sub-committees that have been established to carry out the aims and objectives of the EOCSMZ, including:
- Clergy Committee
- Finance Committee
- Funding Application Committee
- Multimedia Committee
- Building Maintenance Committee
- Fundraising Committee
- Sembete (Festival) Events Committee
- St. Mary Mehabre
- Evangelism Committee
- St. Tekle Haymanot Youth Association
- St. Gabriel Mehabre
The annual activities and financial status of EOCSMZ are reported to the congregation every year in September. Our parish council also has a bi-annual meeting in March to monitor the half yearly progress. All sub-committees also submit progress reports at these meetings. All trustees, parish council members, committee members as well as priests and deacons are voluntary workers.
New trustees are appointed from the church membership by unanimous vote of the existing trustees. Every three years there is a formal selection committee formed to manage the re-election of parish council members.
## **4 Achievements and Performance**
Our community continues to support all the fundraising initiated by various committees. This includes events such as auctions of religious items including icons, church outings, major donations, sponsorship of key initiatives by members, selling tea, coffee and refreshments from the kitchen after services, an internal shop selling religious items and a church entrance shop which serves the community prior to entering the church before the liturgical service.
The development work on the church has progressed significantly over the year, in part funded by a further grant from Barnabas Aid of £42,178 (on top of the £100,000 received last year) and a further grant of £13,500 from Benefactor Trust.
However, much still requires to be done before it can be used for our services. In particular the front entrance, windows and doors (internal and external) need installation, along with further work on the roof to provide openings for light and ventilation. A major fundraiser was scheduled to take place after the year end with the aim of funding this work.
## **5 Financial Review**
Overall the charity ran a deficit during the year of £94,874 compared with a surplus in the previous year of £93,312. This has arisen because income has decreased from £380,335 last year to £327,831 this year, at the same time expenses have increased from £287,023 to £422,705.
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## **ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
There has been a small increase in general ministry income, from £75,906 to £80,437. Restricted fund income has however decreased from £304,429 to £247,394 due to reduced grant and event income compared to last year (which was exceptional).
There has been a small increase in expenses relating to charitable activities, from £40,144 to £50,465, primarily due to increased church rent costs. Expenses relating to the project have increased from £246,879 to £372,240, due to to decision to progress the development work as far as current funds would permit.
The end result is that cash reserves have decreased from £205,381 to £50,965. This includes the £29,520 funds that are reserved for ecclesiastical items, meaning that there is only a small amount left, so work on the church development has now been halted to allow for fundraising to take place.
We have benefited from a 2 year fixed rate deal on the mortgage which expires in February 2025. The mortgage balance continues to reduce and now stands at £225,734 (less than half the £470,000 originally borrowed).
**This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by Mr. Trevor Field (Melaka Sion Habte Mariam):**
Signed............................................................Trustee Date...........................................
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**Notes**
**Incoming Resources**
General Ministry Income
Project Income
**Total Incoming Resources**
**2**
**Resources Expended**
Charitable Activities
Project Activities
**Total Resources Expended**
**3**
Net Movement in Funds before transfers
Transfers between funds
Other recognised gains/ (losses)
Total Funds Brought Forward
**Total Funds Carried Forward**
**9**|**2024**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
80,437
-
**80,437**
50,465
-
**50,465**
29,972
-
-
290,745
**320,717**|**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
247,394
**247,394**
-
372,240
**372,240**
(124,846)
-
-
453,698
**328,852**|**2024**
**Total Funds**
**£**
80,437
247,394
**327,831**
50,465
372,240
**422,705**
(94,874)
-
-
744,443
**649,569**|**2023**
**Total Funds**
**£**
75,906
304,429
**380,335**
40,144
246,879
**287,023**
93,312
-
(330,000)
981,131
**744,443**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023**
|Notes
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
**4**
**Current Assets**
Debtors
**5**
Cash at bank and in hand
**6**
**Total current assets**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
**7**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
**8**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity**
Restricted Funds
**9**
Unrestricted Funds
**9**
Property Revaluation Reserve
**9**
**Total Funds**|**2024**
**£**
800,000
24,789
50,965
**75,754**
(27,318)
48,436
**848,436**
(198,867)
**649,569**
228,852
320,717
100,000
**649,569**|**2023**
**£**|
|---|---|---|
|||800,000|
|||705
205,381|
|||**206,086**
(35,915)
170,171|
|||**970,171**
(225,728)|
|||**744,443**|
|||353,698
290,745
100,000|
|||**744,443**|
**The notes on pages 7-11 form part of these accounts**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the above accounts which are signed on their behalf by Mr Guy Tombs (Tekle Wolde):**
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **a. Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis under the historical cost convention, with the exception of property which is included at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice, applicable to charities preparing their accounts in: accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard FRS102.
## **b. Incoming Resources**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **c. Donations and legacies**
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
## **d. Investment income**
Interest is included when receivable by the charity.
## **e. Resources Expended**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **f. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Property is shown at market value and is not depreciated. Other fixed assets costing more than £500, are capitalised and depreciated on a 25% straight line basis.
## **g. Charitable activities**
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **h. Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity had a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts.
## **i. Fund accounting**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustee's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the Charity. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose the fund was established.
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
|**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
**2. Incoming Resources**
**General Ministry Income**
Dues - Cash
Dues - Standing Orders
St Mary Mehabre income
Collections & Dues
Prayers
Memorial
Funeral
Baptism
Tithes
Clergy Fund
Annual/ Church Outings
Candle Box Collection
Sponsorship/ Pledges
Miscellaneous Income
**Total General Ministry Income**
**Project Income**
Building Pledges
Fundraising Committee
Auction
PayPal
Building Fund Donations
Bank Interest – Project Account
200 Names
Grant
Entrance Shop
Event Income
Building Project Sponsorship
Ecclesiastical Items
Sunday School (Hamra Brehan)
Miscellaneous Income
**Total Project Income**
**Total Incoming Resources**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
920
25,994
860
37,488
-
520
400
1,372
2,175
360
1,844
67
6,599
1,838
**80,437**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
**80,437**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
32,139
8,208
3,637
3,241
26,975
1,299
14,160
55,678
41,902
36,447
1,150
-
22,370
188
**247,394**
**247,394**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
920
25,994
860
37,488
-
520
400
1,372
2,175
360
1,844
67
6,599
1,838
**80,437**
32,139
8,208
3,637
3,241
26,975
1,299
14,160
55,678
41,902
36,447
1,150
-
22,370
188
**247,394**
**327,831**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
1,294
24,347
1,310
28,177
300
1,060
-
1,210
2,079
910
1,178
108
13,617
315|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**75,906**
6,038
597
9,315
8,598
24,921
1,246
16,172
100,000
40,818
65,729
24,840
2,500
3,409
246|
|||||**304,429**|
|||||**380,235**|
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**OR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**3. Resources Expended**
**Charitable Activities**
Church Rent
Fundraising Committee Expenses
Ministry Insurance
Miscellaneous expenses
Annual/Church Outings
Storage
Travel
Utility Bills
Bank charges
Multimedia
Donations given
Accounts/ Audit Expenses
PC Administration
Clergy Expenses
**Total Charitable Activities**
**Project Activities**
Mortgage Interest Payments
Legal/Professional Fees
Utility/ Security Expenses
Building Works
Building Insurance
Fundraising Events Expenses
**Total Project Activities**
**Total Resources Expended**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
39,245
1,089
395
771
2,655
-
40
1,927
882
2,215
300
365
519
62
**50,465**
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
**50,465**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
17,886
53,063
727
290,721
6,717
3,126
**372,240**
**372,240**|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
39,245
1,089
395
771
2,655
-
40
1,927
882
2,215
300
365
519
62
**50,465**
17,886
53,063
727
290,721
6,717
3,126
**372,240**
**422,705**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
28,910
-
481
721
1,900
645
355
1,897
1,304
1,677
200
360
877
818|
|||||**40,144**
18,594
48,594
746
167,064
1,574
10,307|
|||||**246,879**|
|||||**286,923**|
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**THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**4.**|**Tangible Fixed Assets**|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Property Cost/ Valuation brought forward|800,000|1,130,000|
||Revaluation|-|(330,000)|
||**Total Property Valuation carried forward**|**800,000**|**800,000**|
||The charity owns a property which cost £700,000 in 2011 and was value at £800,000 in 2023.|||
|**5.**|**Debtors**|**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Prepaid expenses and accrued income|24,789|705|
||**Total debtors**|**24,789**|**705**|
|**6.**|**Cash at bank and in hand**|**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Bank Accounts (Current and Deposit)|45,388|203,455|
||Cash in hand|5,577|1,926|
||**Total Cash at bank and in hand**|**50,965**|**205,381**|
|**7.**|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Trade Creditors|91|158|
||Accrued expenses|360|11,286|
||Mortgage Loan Account|26,867|24,471|
||**Total current creditors**|**27,318**|**35,915**|
|**8.**|**Creditors: amounts falling due after one year**|**2024**|**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Amounts falling due between one and two years|28,783|26,867|
||Amounts falling due between two and five years|99,098|92,565|
||Amounts falling due after five years|70,986|106,296|
||**Total long-term creditors**|**198,867**|**225,728**|
Long term creditors relates to the balance of a 20-year mortgage used to fund the property purchase.
## **9. Movement of Funds**
|**Movement of Funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Property Revaluation Reserve
**Total**|**1 September**
**2023**
**£**
290,745
353,698
100,000
**744,443**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
80,437
247,394
-
**327,831**|**Outgoing**
**resources**
**31 August**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
(50,465)
320,717
(372,240)
228,852
-
100,000|
||||**(422,705)**
**649,569**|
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**TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ST. MARY OF ZION**
## INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
I report to the trustees of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church St. Mary of Zion (Charity Number 282910) on the
accounts for the year ended 31st August 2024, which are set out on the attached pages 5-11.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an
independent examination is required for this year. The charity is preparing accounts and I am qualified to
undertake the Examination being a qualified member of the association of Charities Independent Examiners
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act,
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, that the requirements to:
- keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act;
- have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Signed...................................................................
**----- End of picture text -----**
Date.................................................
Sam Tanyi: FAAT. MIFS. MCIE
13 Arkley Road London E17 7PD
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