Grove Free Evangelical Church '&Jilding a cthmunity of people who live <￿• 6od's wrposes, Annual Reports 2022 - 2023 WWW.gfec.ory.uk Registered Charity Number: 283079 ## **Contents** |Pastor’s Report|2| |---|---| |Leadership Team|5| |Worship Support Team|7| |Sunday Prayer Meeting|8| |Buddy’s Housegroup|8| |Terry & Andrea’s Housegroup|9| |Safari Housegroup|9| |CoffeePlus|10| |Prayer Chain|11| |MEET|12| |Mission Action Group|13| |Pastoral Awareness Team|15| |Cornerstone|16| |Wantage Nursing Home|17| |Wantage & Grove Foodbank|17| |Financial Statement|18| 1 ## **Pastor’s Report** As the beginning of my THIRD year as Pastor approaches, I have come to realise that that feeling of always being on ‘L’ plates is never actually going to leave me. I thank God that He is always sitting next to me; allowing me the driving seat, but all the time guiding me and correcting me as I progress. I love my job, despite sensing at every step that there is so much to learn – and at the same time rejoicing in the fact that there is so much that can be learned. Thank you all for your love and support over the years. It is an honour to serve you all whilst ‘running the race’ and serving Christ. A few reminders about the road we have travelled for the last year: some of the things we have done between April 2022 and March 2023. Perhaps you will be as surprised as I was to look back… ## Sermon Series - The Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew’s Gospel - From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection in Mark’s Gospel - The Holy Spirit throughout Scripture - 1 Thessalonians - Habakkuk - Psalm Selection - Advent in Isaiah - A walk through Galatians - The Lord’s Prayer ## Revelation The desire to tackle the Book of Revelation came to both Pauline and me at the same time early in 2023. During 2023 and into 2024, we will complete chapters 1 – 3; read through the whole of Revelation in one sitting (with tea breaks) as a church; and continue a few series that will take us through all chapters in our Sunday services. 2 ## Events ## Amongst other events: • Palm Sunday’s unavailability of both Old Mill Hall and Grove Village Hall meant we were outside that day. We did our own Palm Sunday Walk of Witness with real donkey. A bit fraught when we were told by the Donkey Sanctuary that we had to provide transport to get Emma (the donkey) to Grove and back. We did it though! - We had a Barn Dance in May. - On Fathers’ Day we had bacon sandwiches and flew gliders - whilst looking at God’s eternal plan in scripture during the service. - We collected food and clothes for Ukraine and sent them via - Barnabas Fund’s “Food.Gives” initiative. - We had baked potatoes with multiple fillings for lunch on one - Sunday and multiple soups with bread on another. - In August we had Sunday Sundaes in Ade and Katrina’s - garden. - We did another donkey walk in December (with equally real - donkey), this time with transport supplied by the sanctuary. Training Pauline and I ran the Bible Society’s Bible overview “The Bible Course” from August to October. I tried to run it again on a different day in February, but no-one came. I think it was just bad timing for everyone. Early in March, I came across “The Romans Course”, also from the Bible Society. We’ll arrange to follow this up in the months to come once it is released in June. A few of us trained with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), both a service and a way of engaging with people struggling with budgeting in our local community. We may run our own course(s) but are waiting for the new version of their budgeting course to be released. Not sure I can call this training, but I went on Foodbank duty with Pete to find out what goes on. Another element in the vision for GFEC is Dementia Friendliness. In July I attended a Dementia Awareness course at Elmbrook Court. Did you know there are FIVE major types of dementia? I didn't. 3 ## Relationships ## _FIEC_ During the year I have been contacted by and have contacted many local pastors of churches that are, like GFEC, members of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. As a result, we are able to renew our ties with Trinity Church, Oxford, who used to send us visiting preachers quite regularly. Many other churches are interested in “preacher swap” too. I now attend regular, but infrequent meetings of Oxford Pastors, as well as a “fraternal” group of ministers, supporting and challenging each other. I am even part of a weekly 45-minute book group attended by a small number of FIEC pastors and elders. After a COVID break, FIEC restarted their November Conference last year. Very encouraging and uplifting. I came back changed in many ways. I hope to go in November 2023 too. ## _Wantage and Grove Church Partnership_ GFEC has taken a lesser role in WGCP in the last year, having dived in with both feet in our first year and found it rather too much additional work. Meetings of church leaders are not that well attended and there have been no significant projects. In late September the Methodist Church dropped their bombshell about performing same-sex marriages in both Grove and Wantage if required. Please continue to pray about our response to this news. ## _General_ I continue to meet with the Leadership Team, of course, but I also meet with Pauline regularly to pray for each other and about the preaching and teaching at GFEC. Thank you, Pauline, for your love and support in making sure we have a coherent programme each month. I also thank Pauline for her persistence in keeping our Sunday Evening Zoom Prayers going strongly. I am not always present at those meetings but I would like to encourage everyone to come and join in whenever they can - more than this – to make it high in their list of priorities. 4 Thank you, Pete, for your continued promotion of the Men’s Group Snooker on the second Tuesday of each month. It is fun, and more men are starting to join in from outside the church. Praise God and let’s pray that some will choose to find out about Jesus. Thank you, Sarah, for making our new website happen. I have had a number of compliments on the quality and content of the site. Friends and family, do please use it yourselves. We endeavour to keep it fully up to date. Thank you, dear Leadership Team for all you are doing to help grow this small portion of God’s worldwide church. Most of all, I give thanks to God for all involved in Grove Free Evangelical Church, but especially for all of you who pray for me. May the Lord bless you and keep you all. Your servant in Christ ## _Roger Middlebrook_ Pastor ## **Leadership Team** ## **2 Peter 3:18 (NIVUK)** **“** But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever! Amen.” Last year this report referenced Isaiah 55:12 which promised us joy and peace. This has happened but in one case this was a bit oblique. It is with much sadness to us that Margaret Barber now has eternal peace and joy. Other joys to mention are new attenders, a number of meals together, and the Bible Course. Additionally, our Pastor has more hours to help us grow even more in the LORD. 5 _Our plans for last year included:_ - Transferring Treasurer responsibilities from John to Adrian - Continued prayer support for Missionaries - Building on Heartshapers - Christmas Carolling, hopefully with a donkey in attendance - Barn Dance - Participating in the Grove Extravaganza _What was actually done is as follows:_ - The Treasurer responsibilities were transferred from John to - Adrian (and Sarah) - Prayer support for Missionaries continued - Designated monies to Missionaries was sent - Heartshapers continued - We did Christmas Carolling with a donkey in attendance - We had a Barn dance - Jubilee books and New Testaments were given out at the Grove - Extravaganza - We remembered the life of Margaret Barber - Rod and Judy Jones, Jean Hope, plus a few other drop-ins - attended services _Our plans for the coming year include:_ - Building on Heartshapers - Several MEET functions - Potential adjustment to meeting dates/times - Potential withdrawal from Wantage and Grove Church - Partnership - Readings from Revelation - Romans course from the Bible Society As a local church, let us continue to grow in the knowledge and love of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. ## _Adrian Kerr_ On behalf of the Leadership Team 6 ## **Worship Support Group** I thank God continually for all those who put so much effort into keeping our Sunday services running. Some of the team turn up before 9am on Sunday to put chairs out, move tables, arrange displays, set up technical equipment and arrange instruments and stands for the music group. Our musicians come only slightly later so they can be ready to complete sound checks and begin practising by 9.30am. By 10am others have joined them to ensure we are ready to meet and greet all comers. It’s a big effort every week but it is always done, and the early coffee is very, very welcome by the time we are ready for the service. A few technical changes have taken place as we sought to make overhead projection with sound just as good on our YouTube stream as in the auditorium. We still have a few glitches from time to time, but these have become more and more rare. A significant technical change has been the installation of hearing loop amplification in one part of the hall. This also needs some setting up each week but seems to be working quite well now. Please pray that we can work together with the Parish Council and those responsible for Old Mill Hall to continue to improve and simplify the setup. Love in Christ Jesus ## _Roger Middlebrook_ 7 ## **Sunday Prayer Meeting** God said to King Solomon: “If my people who are called by my Name will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14. Every Sunday evening at 7pm we join together for an hour of priestly ministry – praise and prayer to God our Father for our church family, our community, our nation and our world. Spiritual needs and practical needs. Some pray aloud, some silently. Quietly, often inconspicuously, God answers. We meet on Zoom (link on our website) which enables those for whom coming out in the evening can be difficult, but who want to join in prayer. Somehow, yet in a real way, the Holy Spirit links our hearts in fellowship together. We ourselves are refreshed and encouraged. _Pauline Selhi_ ## **Buddy’s Housegroup** We continue to meet at our house and have enjoyed sharing fellowship together. We have studied 1 Samuel, Habakkuk, 1 Thessalonians, The Lord’s Prayer, hymns, testimonies and communion. We end our evening with a time of prayer and record all our prayers. We encourage and support one another and have been blessed as we have seen God’s faithfulness in answering many of our prayers and we praise Him for this. _Peter and Denyse Rourke_ 8 ## **Terry & Andrea’s Housegroup** We have continued to meet in different house group member’s houses which now includes Geoff and Angela’s since joining us. We are also delighted that Rosemary has joined us this last year. Bible studies are often based on small study booklets and these have included Jonah, Joel & Amos in the Old Testament, Acts & John in the New. Alternatively, topics arise either as a follow up of the Sunday Sermon or choosing something of interest from the Old or New Testament. _Terry and Andrea Randall_ ## **Safari Housegroup** We have met at Roger and Judy’s, Marion and John’s, and at Adrian and Katrina’s; sometimes around a firepit, or paella dish. Although Margaret had stopped attending we all felt her loss when she died. When someone has been part and parcel with what has been going on for many years, it leaves a hole that only the LORD can fill. On a more positive note, Rod and Tristan have joined and participated in our studies and activities. This year saw us try a more varied study approach, using devotional study books less and watching uplifting DVDs, favourite verses and books (of any kind), along with a few social events too. It is our constant hope that the LORD GOD Almighty continues to bless all our House Groups. _Adrian Kerr and Judy Middlebrook_ 9 ## **CoffeePlus** ## _**C.O.F.F.E.E.**_ _Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere… and we are the Plus_ Praise God for another year of encouragement with very good speakers, bible studies and DVDs, helping our faith and knowledge grow. Sarah Tippett continues her role as co- leader, bringing wisdom, technical experience and much care. We have been blessed by the following speakers: _Roger Middlebrook:_ Bible Studies Exodus 28 - "The Jewish Priestly Garments" & Psalm 107. _Pauline Selhi:_ Bible Studies Isaiah 40 'Strength for the weary' as we wait, The Biblical view of getting older & Ephesians 3:14-21 praying a Biblical prayer for ourselves and for others. _Judy Middlebrook:_ On her Romanian Visit. _Katrina Kerr:_ God Cares About our Mental Health. DVDs we have watched: In Pursuit of Jesus – Singapore, The Spiritual Leader & Sweden, The Revolutionary In God’s Company – The Life of Thomas Cook Philip – The Call, The Meal, The Gentiles and The Desire Science & God Bethlehem – Beyond the Christmas Story A New Identity – The Gospel of Matthew We have had sessions on; Prayer & Share families, Focus on Christmas, Share a Scripture, Fellowship & Prayer, Share a Book and Praise & Worship. Katrina Kerr led Bible studies on Romans chapter 10 - 12. Marion Rogers shared her Life Story. In September, our outing was to Bicester Avenue Garden Centre. At the end of each half term, we have a shared meal or a meal at Cornerstone. We celebrated Lynfa Blackmore 80th birthday at The Doghouse, Frilford Heath. In the summer we had informal meetings at Sarah’s and Lesley & Margaret’s for coffee and afternoon tea at Lesley Myer’s. 10 We were sad to lose a valuable, loving, caring member in November when Margaret Barber died suddenly. We welcomed a new member Judy Jones to our group this year. Many members have special responsibilities; Katrina Kerr leads the mornings, Sarah Tippett our prayer time. We would like to thank Jayne Forsyth for their service to the group in providing, pastoral care with flowers and cards also birthday cards for group members and missionary families. Again, we have seen God’s faithfulness in many situations and praise Him for this. ## _Lesley Baker_ ## **Prayer Chain** Again, the Prayer Chain has been quieter. There may be many reasons for this, the size of the fellowship, or the age range within it. A very big factor could be the lack of support from Margaret Barber since she developed Alzheimer’s Disease and subsequently died in November 2022. Margaret always kept in touch with people and was aware of their needs, she would offer to pray for them and would suggest that they used the Prayer Chain to gain further support. She would follow this up by, encouraging the sharing of answers. As I have been more isolated during the past 4 months, I am not always aware of people’s needs unless I am contacted. I would like to encourage you, when times are quiet, to pray for each other using the church Prayer Diary as a prompt. We are reminded in scripture to: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 11 Thank you to all of you who have requested prayer and to all those who have responded. Please continue to update the Prayer Chain with the answers that you receive. It is very encouraging to hear how God is answering and working in people lives. ## _Lesley Baker_ ## **MEET Team** ## (Meals and Events to Enhance Togetherness) We have enjoyed another year of social events sharing food together. As usual our church family have got involved contributing soups, bread, jacket potatoes and fillings, roasted meats, desserts, Chinese food, kebabs, ice cream Sundaes, cakes and sandwiches. Thank you to all those who have served in the kitchen during the year cooking, chopping, spreading and washing up. Thank you to all those on the coffee rota for serving your church family. Thank you for the wonderful selection of food served at Margaret Barber’s service of celebration. I’m so proud of our church family and how we work as a team. We look forward to Lasagne Sunday, bacon sandwiches on Father’s Day, Ice cream Sundae Sunday, Bernice’s 90th birthday celebrations, Harvest soups and a roast Turkey lunch. God bless you all and keep that food coming so we can continue Meeting, Eating and Encouraging Togetherness. ## _Katrina Kerr_ 12 ## **Mission Action Group (MAG)** ## GFEC’s Mission Interests: At present, GFEC supports one family, the Brixey family, with both finance and prayer. The Brixeys are based in Gloucester and are involved in church, social and community work with the local refugee and Muslim communities. We also continue in our relationship with the Bernals in Colombia and the Hooker family currently in Northern Ireland, upholding them in prayer. This is greatly appreciated. Adrian as treasurer is able to pass on financial gifts received for these two families from the membership. ## MAG members: Bernice White, who is the church link person for the Brixey family, Amanda Thomas who is currently the link person for the Bernals and the Hookers, and Roger Middlebrook. Purpose of MAG: - On behalf of the church, maintain communication with the mission families. - Pass on relevant information to the church/leadership/prayer chain. - Encourage prayer and other support of these families. Through MAG and the leadership team, GFEC also maintains links with Viva (Christian charity working with vulnerable children and their families). We also facilitate prayer for the persecuted church in November. ## MAG meetings and activities this year: We have met ten times over the past year. On the majority of these occasions, we discussed and prayed for issues concerning the support of mission families. On other occasions we planned services. We have been in touch with the mission families every few weeks and have done our best to provide regular updates on their work and prayer needs. We've done this through the Sunday services, through email and via the prayer chain. 13 In June we dedicated a service to prayer for vulnerable children, in conjunction with Viva's Worldwide Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk. Our speaker that day was Hugh Stacey from Viva. The Brixey family visited us in October where Adrian Brixey preached at the harvest service. There was a chance to meet the family afterwards at the shared baked potato lunch. In November we organised a service of prayer for the Persecuted Church, with the help of Tim Bechervaise of Open Doors. In December MAG co-ordinated Christmas giving for the mission families, as a result of which each family received financial gifts ranging from £345 - £435. We have recently changed our meeting format, with alternate meetings focused entirely on praying for the work and needs of the mission families. Anyone from the church is most welcome to join us! ## In the Pipeline: In the coming year we hope to have two visits from the Brixey family, during which we will learn about their work and benefit from Adrian's preaching. We hope to have a Viva speaker from Central America at our Prayer for Children at Risk service in May and a further opportunity to pray for the Persecuted Church in November. We aim to maintain and deepen our links to the mission families, and in particular to encourage more, regular prayer for them. ## Thanks: We would like to thank Sarah, Lesley and the worship leaders for their part in facilitating the sharing of news and prayer requests. Thank you to Coffee Plus and Buddy’s Housegroup for sending cards and letters, which are much appreciated by those who receive them. Thanks also to Adrian for ensuring financial gifts are received - and especially for the huge amount of work that had gone in to working out how to send gifts to Colombia when the Azimo service conditions changed. Thanks from the three families, to all who pray. 14 ## Get involved! If you would like to receive prayer letters from the Brixeys or the Hookers, please ask: we will arrange that for you. We would like a new church link person with the Hooker family. If that could be you, please see Amanda. If you would like to join us, you would be most welcome: please come and talk to us. _Amanda Thomas, Bernice White and Roger Middlebrook_ ## **Pastoral Awareness Team** From time-to-time needs arise within the church family that provide us with the opportunity to practically demonstrate our love for one another, and therefore, in Autumn 2022 GFEC Pastoral Awareness Team (PAT) was relaunched with a small team of people. In the short time since the re-launch, we’ve been able to provide transport to medical appointments, visited people who are alone or vulnerable and sent notes of encouragement. From a personal perspective I count it a blessing and a privilege to serve the church family in this way, and as the PAT team co-ordinator I am immensely grateful to those people who have given their time to help. Huge thanks to you all! Because we’re a relatively small group we can’t always promise to fulfil every request, however if you need help with transport to a medical appointment, need a prescription collected, struggling to cook a meal following an illness or would appreciate a visit then please let us know. The list isn’t exhaustive and if you think the PAT team may be able to help, please get in touch at PAT@gfec.org.uk or speak with Roger, myself or your small group leader to make a request. _Marion Rogers_ 15 ## **Cornerstone** This year has been a challenging one for Cornerstone, but through God’s grace, a generous landlord and continued support from the churches and individuals we are still open to serve the community. ## Finances We have been blessed this year with financial advice from Bill Jestico from Wantage Parish Church. His wisdom and insight have been invaluable. At time of writing, we are still waiting for the year-end figures to be finalised. The figures for the 11 months up to the end of February 2023 show Cornerstone just about breaking even in terms of cashflow, but when depreciation costs are taken into account we have made an overall loss. In addition, we are currently paying a reduced rent for a fixed period so anticipate our costs increasing when this comes to an end. Stock take figures are not yet available, but it is likely that the figure will be less than previously thought, which will in turn increase the overall deficit. The Board and staff continue to look at ways to improve the financial position. ## Board of Trustees Jessie Ashton moved away so Sue Parnell is the current Chair but only until the next AGM. I have stepped down from the Board, but new members have joined from St John’s - Miranda Hawkins, Elim – Angela Rance & Wendy McEwen, Grove Methodist – Linda Jones & Lynda Culley. ## General Christmas brought a welcome increase in customers. 210 Christmas lunches were served including 12 gifted dinners. Cornerstone registered on the Warm Welcome website in January. Following receipt of a grant an automatic door opener was fitted. We joined bookshop.org to encourage a wider range of book sales. Outside catering services have been publicised and we have provided catering for some community events. 16 Cornerstone has provided a venue for some community meetings for the new development. We have continued to host groups as in previous years, including The Mix, Stroke Recovery Group, Make and Bake, Rummikub and Scrabble. GFEC as a church, as well as individual members, continues to be an important part of the Cornerstone family. Thank you for this support. God bless you. _Denise Collins_ ## **Wantage Nursing Home** At the end of 2022 it was possible to go into the Wantage Nursing Home again to lead a monthly ‘church service’, a break of 2+ years due to Covid restrictions. Due to the changes of occupants and staff it is a matter of building up again our ministry to the spiritual needs there. Praise God all through the pandemic He never left anyone alone who sought Him. The need is great, the labourers few. Please pray. _Pauline Selhi_ ## **Wantage & Grove Foodbank** GFEC is one of the churches that supports Wantage and Grove Food Bank. I have represented our church for over 5 years. Before Covid we averaged 250 parcels in a year. The demand for parcels post covid has increased. From January 2022 to April 2023 we have delivered 1,400 parcels. _Peter Rourke_ 17 Charfty Reglstradon No. 283079 GROVE FREE EVANGELICAL CHURCH FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Contents: Pagel-2 Trustees, Report Pa8e 3 Independent Examiner's Report Page 4 Receipts & Pa￿ents Account Pa8e S Ststement of Assets & Liabilities Page6-7 Notes to the Accounts Davld Cooke & Co Chartered Accountants 5 Brlar Close Banbury Ooxorn OX169DS 18 Pa8e I GROVE FREE EVANGELICAL CHURCH TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the Financial Statements of the Church for the year ended 3 1 March 2023. Reference and Administrative Detsils The Church is a Re￿stered Charity no. 283079. The addres5 15: Grnve Free Evangelical Church. clo I Syacamore WalK Grove. Wanta8e. OX12 OBW. The charity trustees for the purpose of these accounts comprise the Elder5 and Deacon5 of the ChurclL The Elder5 and Deacon5 during the year were as follows: Mr TeTry Rand311 (ChaiTman) Mr Roger Middlebrook (Pastor) Mr Adrian Kerr (Treasurer) (appointed l/4122) Mr john Willemsen (Treasurer) (resi￿ed 114122) Objertives and Activities The ChurL*'s aims are to spread the gospel of the iA)rd jesus Christ and to edify the congregation through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, and the orculation of good Christian literature. The Church'5 vision 15 to build a community of people who live out God's purposes. The trustee5 have had due regard to the guidance i55ued by the Charity Commission relating to public benefii and the Church provides thi5 in a number ofways. By the provision of public worship services: By holding meetings for teenagers and young people.. and By its support of mission works in other parts of the worl(L Structure, Governance and Management The Church is governed by its Constitution, which was last amended and issued to members in january 2022. The Elders and Deacons are elerted by the Church Meetin& and are responsible for leadership of the church. The EldeT5 and Deacons Meet regularly to effect proper control ofall arrdngements for the rnnning of the church. 19 Pa8e 2 GROVE FREE EVANGELICALCHURCH TRUSTEES REPORTFOR TIIE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 20Z3 (C(*nL) Achievcmcnt5 and Perfo￿anCC The Church'5 mil in work 15 C¢irried out through its own Sunday 5crviccs. mid-week Bible siudy and prayer meell"ng. Other meets.ngs were convened for indivkdu11 grtsup5 such a5 young teenogers, wurnen, men and yuun¥ aElults, The Lhurch also 5UPPOrt5 missionary work in ￿arIouS place& Public Bcncfit In ca]Tying out its activities in the ycar under rcview. the trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance Issued by the Charlty Commlssion, and are satisf)ed that the activiti¥s mentioned above hiiV¥ all been for the public benefiL Financial Rcview Fvnds are used to pay the rent f()r the building% the Church u5e5 f4Jr mcctings. to support Missionary organisations. to provide litCra￿rc and to fund vari(Jos pr()jects. Jn the absence of a Pf75tor at the present time* payments are le55 than would otherwise be the case. As a resuli as shown in the Receipts & Payments Accounton page 4, there ivas an ¢xces5 of paym¥nts' over receipts. (a Lleficit) of £4.138 (2022: surplus £5BOJ. before capital purchascs arc taken into accounL. Overall. tho financial state of affairs of the Church is considered to be satisfactory. On behiilf of the F.ILlers & Deacons Date: 20 Page 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRusfEES OF GROVE FREE EVANGEUCAL CHURCH I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 March 2023. which are set out on pages 4 to 7. Respe¢dve rtsponslblildes of tn￿ree$ and Independent examiner The church's trvstees responslble for the preparatlot) of the accout)ts. The trustees consider that an audlt Is not requlred for thls year (under sec11on 44{2) of the Charldes Act 2011 (Ihe 2011 Act)} and that an Independent examlnaiion Is needed. It ts my res￿AgIblI1ty Its: Examlne the accounts undèr sertlon 14S olthè 2011 Act.. To follow tho procedures lald down In the General Dlrectlons gfven by the Chadty Commlssloners under sertion 145 (5) (b) ofthe 2011 Act.. and To state whethw partlcuiar matters have come to my atientlo Basls of IndePe￿Ient examlnevs report My examlnadon was ca￿5ed out In accordance wlth the Generat Dlrertlons glven by the Chartty CommLqsloner& An examlnatlon Includes a revlew of the accouniin8 records kept by Ihe chartty and a comparlson of the accounts presented wbth those record& It also Includes conslderntlon ofany unusual Items or dIsclosu￿$ In the attounts. and seeklng explanadons Irom you as trustees concernlng any such rnatte￿. The procedures undertaken do nol provlde all the evidencè that would be requlrtd In an audli and consequen￿Y no oplnlon ts glven ￿ to whether ihe accounts proseni a 'true and falr. vlew and ihe rewrt L% Ilmiied io Ihose matters set out In the staiement below. Independent examlnerfs statement I have compleied my txamlnaknon. I cortnrm thai no nutetlal mattrrs have come to my attrntthon In conneciion wlth thè examinarlon whlch glve me cause io belleve thac In any materlal ￿Spect. the accountJn8 records were not In acconlaThct wlth sectlon 130 of the ￿a￿lIeS Aci.. or the accounts dld t)ot accord wlth the accountlng reconls,. or the accounts dld not comply wlth the appllcable requlrements eonctrnlng the forni and content of accounLS set oui In the Charliles (Accounts and Reportsl Rogulatlons 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts glve a 'true and lalrf vlew whlch is not a rnat￿r consldered as part of an Independeni examlnauo I have no concerns and have come across M other ￿￿tter5 In coDneciion wlth the examlnatlon to whbch attentlon should be drdwt) In thls reFrf>rt In order to enable a proper understatmllng of the accounts to be reached. Davld Cooke MA {Oxon) FCA FCIE Davld Cooke and Co. Chartered Accoutstatsts S Brlar aose Banbury. OxozL OX16 9DS Date.. IS August 2023 21 Page 4 GROVE FREE EVANGELICAL CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YFAR ENDED 3 1 MARCH 2023 Unrestricted Restrirted 2023 2022 Note Recelpts Voluntary income Investment income Other income 36,126 2,S82 32 38,708 32 1.966 38,102 40 1,966 Totsl Incon)Ing resources Payments Cost ofGenerating Funds Charitable ALtivities 95 41,757 95 44.749 275 37,287 2.992 Total Payments Excess ofReceipts over Payments [3.76a) (378) (4.138) 580 Purchase ofcapitsl equipment [1.578) (1.578) (339) Transfer5 between Funds 138 (138) Net Movement of Resourtes (5.2003 (516] (5.716) 241 Total Funds brnu8ht fonward 102.(K19 2,419 104,428 104.187 Totsl Funds carried fonvard 104 428 The notes on pages 6 and 7 forni part ofthese financial statements. 22 Pa£c 5 GROVE HiEE EVANGELICAL CHURCH STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIESASAT 31 MARCH 2023 Unrestrlcled Deslgndled 2023 2022 Total Cash Funds TSB Account CCiA Deposlt Fund (Bulldlng fund) CCLA No,2. Accoiint 6￿92 loo 1.803 992 1,803 89,885 14,337 1,771 88,320 B9BB5 96.777 1,903 98.680 104,428 Assets relaltted forcharlty's use Fund to whlch asset bclongs Offlce Equlpmeht Genoral Fund Llablllttes Due wlthln oneyear: PAYE due Accruals 605 440 605 440 400 1,114 1,045 400 Approved on . {date) Treasurer The notes on pages 6 and 7 form part nf these fjnancial 5taternents. Page 6 GROVE FREE EVANGELICAL CHURCH NOTFS TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 l. Accountlng Polldes The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with lteTr￿ which are considered material in relation to the Church's Financial Ststement The Finanaal Ststements are prepared under the Historical Cost Convention. Because the Church's income 15 under £250.000 the accounts are now prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis. to avoid the need to comply with the Charities SORP (FRS102). Income. Donation5 represent cash received durin8 the year. Investment income comprises interest received from money in deposit account& endi The cost of generating Funds are costs incurred in promoting the Church and its work Charitsble Activities Expenditure comprises all expenditure directty related to the Church's objects, including governance cost& 2. Costs of Generatlng Funds Unrestiirted Designated Fund5 Funds 2023 2022 Total Advertising & Publicity 95 95 275 3. ￿table Artivities Stsff costs (note 6) Visiting speakers. fees Website/Zoom expenses Other Ministry & Missions (note 4) Accommodation Insurance Admini5trJtion expenses Subscriptions & Licences Miscellaneous expenses Book-keeping Other professional services Independent Examination 23.3S4 597 179 10,774 3,178 529 526 1.505 218 242 255 400 23.354 597 179 13.766 3.178 529 5Z6 1.505 218 242 255 400 10.769 1.230 910 19.S03 3.063 506 75 513 333 2,992 385 24 Page 7 GROVE FREE EVANGELICAL CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (ConL) Unre5tritted Designated 2023 2022 4. Other Ministry and Mi&%ions Missions expen5e5 Outreach Cornerstone Christian Centre Streetpastors Fellowship Fund Other donation5 Catering 3.500 120 3.600 1,200 2,992 6.492 120 3.600 1.200 12,196 420 3,600 1.200 327 1,710 so 1.690 664 1.690 6. Employee & Trustee inforn]ation Wage5, salaries & social security costs Pastor's expense5 Training costs 22.058 438 858 22.058 438 858 10.134 195 440 23.354 The average number of per50n5 employed durin8 the year wa5 1 {2022: IJ. No employee nyeived remuneration in wtce55 of£60.000 p.a. No trustee tEceived any remuneration, apart from Mr Middlebrook for his work as the pastor ofthe church. There V￿re no related party transactions, apart from donation5 given in the usual course of the life of the church. 7. Restrfjcted Funds Brought tor¥Yar Incoming Ke50urces Outgoing He50urces Carried torward i ransier Building Fund Bernals Fund Brixey5 Fund HoDkers Fund TEAR Fund Viv3 Fund Designated Giving 1,771 sio 32 1,015 400 77S loo 292 1.803 (1525) (400) (775) loo (292) 138 (138) 138 25