The Evangelical Church, Capernwray Trustees' Annual Report Year Ended 31 December 2022
The Charity
The charity's full name is The Evangelical Church, Capernwray. It is governed by the Declaration of Trust dated 1st March 1982 and is an unincorporated association.
The charity registration number is 513080.
Trustees
The Trustees acting during the year are as follows: Mr W.H. Huddleston Mr W.K. Harrison Mr J.E. Shaw Mr A.W. Earl Mr M.J. Scott
The principal contact for the Charity is
M. J. Scott (secretary) 91, Main Road Nether Kellet Carnforth Lancashire LA6 1EF
Relevant Organisations/Persons
Bankers
Barclays Bank 38, Market St Lancaster LA1 1HR
A/c No. 60363618 (Trustees Account) A/c No. 60363626 (Chapel Account)
Independent Examiner
M R Cornall Esq. 102 Heath Road Ashton in Makerfield Wigan Lancashire WN4 9HH
The Objects of The Evangelical Church, Capernwray
To spread the gospel in Great Britain and elsewhere and in particular in the County of Lancashire in accordance with the statement of faith.
To advance the Christian religion in any way the trustees deem fit including the relief of the needy, provided that this aspect of the work of the charity is reasonable in proportion to the other work To engage in evangelism.
To publish, sell or give away Bibles, testaments, tracts, Christian books, magazines, literature & cassettes.
Policies Adopted to further Objects
To provide services and meetings on Sundays and weekdays, open to all, where Christian values are taught to all ages.
To provide training for new Christians and for people enquiring.
To encourage church members to develop friendships with non-Christian friends through individual and collective activities.
To open the church building for a range of activities and other meetings for regular attenders, and for them to welcome visitors and invite neighbours and contacts of all ages from within their local community. To provide money and support to individuals and other charities involved in mission at home and abroad. To provide a book library and on-line recordings of services.
There have been no changes in the policies since the Trust was formed.
Trustees
When the Trust was formed in 1982, 12 Trustees were appointed. Since then, four have died, seven have resigned and four new trustees have been appointed. There are currently five Trustees in office with one currently considering joining.
Organisation of the Charity
The Elders and Pastor, along with the Deacons (appointed annually) run the church on a daily basis as a team. Decisions are made by consensus. The Elders liaise between the church and the charity and provide support for the Pastor, Deacons, members and visitors. The Trustees oversee the organisation of the church and meet on an annual basis or as required.
Individual leaders have specific responsibilities for areas of the charity's work within the church. Decisions relating to the running of these groups are referred to the Elders and Pastor. Individual leaders meet together within their own group and with the Elders and Pastor as required. The Elders and Pastor can also be a group leader. The various groups are reported under Activities of the Charity
Activities, Developments and Achievements of the Charity.
The charity is committed to achieving its objects through a variety of routes including…
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The appointment of Mr. Luke Parkinson as Pastor and Miss Victoria Harrison, both on a part-time basis, continues to have a positive effect on the working of the fellowship.
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Sunday morning services have continued to be held in local village halls at 10.45am since Covid. This is to help accommodate the increasing number attending, and to provide extra space around seats, which has continued to be expected following Covid.
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Evening services attract fewer, but still encouraging numbers, and are held in the chapel at 6.30pm.
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All services, are led by either the Pastor, Elders or invited speakers and are open to all. Alternate Sunday evenings focus on prayer and praise and are usually less formal. It has been a privilege to welcome a significant number of new people to the fellowship over the Covid period and since.
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Sunday school numbers continue to increase and also benefit from the extra rooms available in the village halls. The extra space is also appreciated for Family Services and regular Fellowship Lunches.
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Regular meetings include: Home Groups, Prayer Meetings, Bible Studies, Kiddy Capers (for Mums and Toddlers), a fortnightly home based young people’s group, called ‘Rooted’ and the Senior Fellowship.
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Special services are held on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Other specials include Church and Sunday School Anniversary weekends and an annual barn rally on a local farm.
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Other organised events, particularly for children are held at Easter during the summer holidays and at Christmas. Advertised locally, these continue to attract visitors from the surrounding area.
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A new event this year was the ‘Holiday at Home Weekend’. Based in a local village hall, this was a great time when all age groups could get together and separately, for a time of fun and fellowship, informal teaching, indoor and outdoor activities and much food! Definitely one to be repeated.
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A Day of Prayer is held every May Day, when the church is open for prayers for the different aspects of the fellowship & other local, national and international needs & concerns.
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The church WhatsApp group formed during Covid has continued and is a mean of keeping the fellowship informed of future events and is also a useful tool for sharing prayer issues.
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A monthly church magazine continues to be available as a paper copy for those attending services and also on-line. Outlook is very readable with interesting and topical articles as well as details of activities for the month ahead. Special issues are printed at Easter, Harvest and Christmas with the latter handed out when carol singing.
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The church donates money and gives support to selected individuals and charities involved in various mission opportunities, including work among children in schools, young people and underprivileged. The church also responds to urgent needs for relief at home and abroad.
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The church supports the Christmas Shoebox Appeal organised by Blythswood Care, a Christian charity, with a mission to transform lives through education, community action and gospel activities. Shoeboxes are distributed to needy children overseas and particularly in Eastern Europe.
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The church continues to sponsor 2 Kenyan children through Sportsreach, a Christian charity that uses sport as a means of reaching children with the message of God’s love in the UK & abroad.
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Other church organised activities include: Harvest Supper, BBQs, holiday clubs, quiz nights, netball, ceilidhs, bowling, fellowship walks, carol services and various other adult & youth events which are all open to all with some held in local village halls.
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Coffee Mornings are arranged to coincide with special events and attract local residents, passing visitors and holidaymakers from local caravan sites, as well as members of the other local churches as well as our own. They also offer a useful opportunity to introduce visitors to the life of the church, it’s history and programme of meetings held.
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The local Food Bank receives a special gift as part of the church’s harvest celebrations.
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Extra space required to accommodate increasing numbers for Sunday morning worship continues to be a challenge. An option to build on the church car park and adjoining land is being considered.
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A church website and Facebook page are well established and have regularly views from interested people worldwide. Recordings of church services are also made available.
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There is continuing improvement to the church inside and out with added emphasis on compliance requirements in respect of Health and Safety standards and Fire Risk Assessment. Updating of other church policies is also an ongoing process.
Risk Management
The major risks to the charity, as identified by the Trustees, have been considered and appropriate action taken to mitigate those risks.
General Data Protection Regulation
A compliance strategy has been implemented in order to comply with legal requirements.
Child Protection Policy
The Church has a Safeguarding Policy, which applies to all members working with children. CRB checks are regularly undertaken and only suitably qualified people appointed.
Dependence on unpaid helpers
The charity is dependent on the members of the church for the organisation and running of many activities under the authority of the Elders and Pastor. No group leaders, other than the part-time Pastor and Youth & Children’s Worker receive any remuneration from the church.
Financial Position of the Charity
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The Evangelical Church, Capernwray is wholly reliant on donations from its members
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The majority of income is from weekly freewill offerings and includes focused giving for specific causes. Other income resulting from the activities of the charity are part of the church's outreach and are not intended to be fund raising.
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Grants are applied in support of approved individuals and organisations
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Other funds are used for the maintenance of the building, part-time staff salaries and expenses, the running of the individual groups and costs related to Sunday services, Sunday School and outreach.
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The charity has sufficient assets to meet its current liabilities.
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The future expected expenditure is matched to future expected income to ensure sufficient funds are available in the coming year.
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The charity maintains a specified free reserve to cover any unexpected or urgent expenditure.
Relationships with other charities and organisations
The charity maintains its support of various organisations and individuals who are fulfilling and furthering the objects of the charity. During the current financial year, £10,972 was given to such causes
Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in order to give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees will:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis
The trustees are responsible for and committed to keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
A copy of the accounts for year ending 31st December 2022 accompanies this report
Signed by M J Scott Secretary of the Trust
| 2822 | 2021 |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
| 40fi408 | |
| 42'143 | |
| I I-i _ _ _ _ _. - |