**TRUSTEES REPORT and Accounts of BANGOR CHURCH of the NAZARENE for the year ended 30[th] September 2023.** ## **NICC Reference: NIC107096** This Report includes: 1. STATEMENT of the TRUSTEES 2. REPORT of the INDEPENDENT EXAMINER 3. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS of the CHURCH ## **1. STATEMENT of the TRUSTEES** ## **(i) Current Elected Trustees as at 30 Sept 2023:** Mrs Joan Massey Mr J Mills Mr L Kelly Mr Tom Penman Mrs C Walton Mrs N Kinnaird Mr R Ashfield Mrs J Spratt Mr G Thompson Mrs G Kelly ## **Contact Address:** C/o Mr T Penman, 7 Dunkeld Grove, Bangor, BT19 6RH. **APPOINTMENT of TRUSTEES** is by election to the Bangor Church Board by the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Church annually. Trustees are elected to serve for a period of one year with each trustee retiring and being eligible for reelection each year. The Minister of the Church who is a salaried employee of the Church acts as chair of the Trustees but is not an elected trustee. ## **(ii) Governing Document:** The Church is autonomous within the British Isles North District (“BIND”) which is an administrative area of the international Church of the Nazarene, and guided in structure, governance and Practice by “The Manual” of the denomination. This forms its constitution. Each local congregation in the denomination is autonomous in all respects of governance and financial responsibility including employer obligations. ## **(iii) Charitable Purposes:** Our purposes, as recorded in the Manual, are the advancement of the Christian Faith through Mission, Discipleship, Fellowship, Teaching, and Works of Compassion. ## **(iv) Activities and Achievements:** The period under review covers the accounting period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. The activities of the church can be summarised as follows. It had been some time since the church was able to have a Sunday school for children but a new Children’s Sunday Club was commenced. The number of children attending was up to 10 per week. The church mothers and toddlers group (Puddleducks) continued through the year doing excellent work with the youngest children. The church also has its uniformed organisation; Girls Brigade (“GB”) which continued throughout the year. The GB held their Annual Display on 21[st] March 2023 and Enrolment Service on the 22[nd] October 2023. Other ongoing activities which continued through the year included the Ladies Craft Class held on a Wednesday evening, on alternative weeks. Additionally, on each Wednesday morning. the Ladies Prayer & Bible Study took place where a number of the ladies enjoyed some tea and treats before indulging in a time of serious Bible study and prayer. The main purpose of the church is evangelism along with discipleship and a prayer & Bible Study was held each Thursday evening. Additionally regular morning services of worship and teaching took place each Sunday with evening meetings held on Sunday nights once a month. The New Harvest took place on the 2[nd] Tuesday of each month geared to the older generation for ministry in song alongside some excellent speakers. Special events included: **6[th] April** – Thursday Communion Service **9[th] April** – Easter Sunday Service **8[th] October** – Harvest Service with speaker Rev Philip McAlister, **28[th] May** - Joint Pentecost service with guests; Low Country Gospel Group, Millbrook Praise Band and special speaker Gary Law. **25[th] August –** A Community family event which was well supported and lots of activities for the children to get involved in. The adults enjoyed the burgers, hot dogs etc. **12[th] November -** Remembrance Day service **19[th] November –** Nazarene Theological College(“NTC”) - Faculty Students shared in the morning service. **5[th] December -** Church Christmas dinner at Clandeboye Golf Club. **16[th] December** - Another event for the children with Santa’s Grotto. **17[th] December** - Family Carol service which included some of the girls from GB to sing along with signing for the deaf society. **21[st]** - Christmas communion service **24[t]**[h] - Christmas Eve Service **31[s]**[t] - New Year’s Eve Service **8[th] June** an evening with Missionaries to Tanzania. Services with special singers which included Bill Dunn, Nigel Davidson, Spirit of Praise Johnathan Cairns and Iain Penman & Friends took place. Along with other compassionate works the church was actively involved in providing supplies to a local Food Bank. ## **(v) Membership** Membership at last AGM held in February 2023 was 81 active members. Some members have passed away and some have transferred their membership. However we continue to have many non-members and their families attending the church, some of whom have become members in 2024. ## **2. ACCOUNTS:** The Accounts that follow show the income and expenditure raised and expended in the operation of the church and its regular activities. The income is largely sourced from income and donations from members, adherents and visitors by way of specific gifts, other donations and offerings. The church also claims Gift Aid and GASDS from HMRC where possible. Those attending the AGM and members had received, in advance, copies of the church accounts. The Treasurer also provided a presentation using PowerPoint to show a summary of the main income and expenditure. Whilst Church income was adversely impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic since March 2020 the church insurers paid a further compensation claim under a Business Interruption clause. It is church policy from a good governance perspective that all Department funding and expenditure is regularly reported to and accounted through the Church Treasurer. This ensures open and fair reporting and minimises the risks of defalcation. Restricted and Designated funds and annual expenses are retained as separate balances at the close of each financial year. Each is assessed from time to time as to its appropriate level and potential for use within its own designation. Sufficient funds are retained in a readily accessible account to ensure that at least 3 months working capital is available at all times and any loans to the charity can be repaid. The accounts have been independently examined by a suitably qualified Independent Examiner and her report is attached to the financial accounts. Approved by the Trustees and Signed on their behalf: Tom Penman (Church Treasurer). 26 June 2024