Docusign Envelope ID: B24438A0-6ACA-46E1-BBF3-2F37D4CEF401
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
At Central we are as committed as ever to our vision to serve the city, to love one another as a church family and to dedicate our lives to worshipping and following Christ. We continue to have three gatherings each Sunday (except for the last Sunday in the month) where we meet around the city in various community groups and allow the teaching of Jesus to shape how we live today. The church has been encouraged by a number of individuals choosing to be baptised as a public declaration of their faith, including around 10 of our students and youth. We have also been heartened as new people have joined our church family, commit to membership, and play their part in the wider vision of the church.
Central church is a larger family of approximately thirty smaller communities that meet several times each month and on the last Sunday of the month. These communities are varied but endeavour to support one another in living out the teachings of Jesus and fulfilling the wider church vision. We have contact with around 100 students, who attend one of our gatherings, and/or are part of one of 6 student Draft communities. We seek to support students as they make friends and connections, building communities and networks that support them on both their academic and faith journey. Our “Sanctuary” work continues to support around 70 Syrian refugees. Some of our Sanctuary volunteers are now helping out with a new “Conversation café”, hosted by Edinburgh City Mission at Central’s Café which supports up to 50 individuals who come to learn ways to improve their English language skills, build friendships and understand how they can access other support services for people who don’t speak English as a first language.
Our financial situation has improved since our last report in August 2023. Through the increased generosity of our members and attendees (both in seeing an increase in regular giving as well as one-off donations) we have been able to meet our budget and with savings in expenditure we have increased our staff salaries ensuring that everyone is paid at least the Real Living Wage.
We have seen people give generously to the HVI project, our “Just Christmas” campaign through which we gave over £20k towards the work of Bethany Christian Trust here in Edinburgh – a charity which supports many people who are homeless, recovering from addiction or other significant trauma in their lives.
Over this past year several staff (one full time and three part time) have moved on to other jobs elsewhere. We have not felt that we need to replace all these positions, though recruitment for a Gatherings Pastor began in June 2024. This has led to savings in our outgoings.
1
Draft
2
Draft
3
Draft
4
Draft
5
6
Draft
7
Draft
8
9
Draft
10
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
11
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
12
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
13
14
Draft
15
Draft
16
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
17
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
18
19
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
20
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
21
Draft
22
----- Start of picture text -----
Draft
----- End of picture text -----
23