2025-09-30-accounts - Christ Church, Falkirk

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CHARITY REFERENCE NUMBER - SC017350

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2025

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

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CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

CHRIST CHURCH, FALKIRK - SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH

CHARITY REFERENCE NUMBER - SC017350

PRINCIPAL ADDRESS

Christ Church 55a Kerse Lane Falkirk FK1 1RX

Website:

www.christchurchfalkirksec.org.uk

Charity Trustees:

Members of the Vestry, Ex. officio

Sandie Bovaird Joint Acting Treasurer Rona Finlayson Hon. Secretary Lesley Leishman Rector’s Warden & Alternative Lay Representative Camayo Hyde Lay Representative Frank Murray People’s Warden & Joint Acting Treasurer

Members of the Vestry, Elected

Sandie Bovaird

Emenike Emenike

Lesley Fraser Rebecca Northover

Nigel Preece Ninoska Skelton Nicolas John Whiteside

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Donald Paterson 20 Canmore Drive Stenhousemuir FK5 4LA

BANKERS

Royal Bank of Scotland 2 Newmarket Centre Falkirk FK1 JX

| CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK REPORT OF THE VESTRY | The members of the Vestry present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year | ended 30 September 2025.

Introduction

Christ Church was consecrated in 1864 and today meets the needs of Episcopalians and other Anglicans living in or visiting the town and surrounding communities.

We are a congregation of around 135. During the last few years we have welcomed new members particularly people coming from other countries who now live in the area. Eucharist is celebrated at 10am on Sundays and Thursdays with an addition celebration at 9am on the first Sunday of the month. Advancing the mission of Christ Church through worship, service and fellowship is our objective.

We are part of the West Forth Area of the Diocese of Edinburgh which is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church. We also assist, financially, the medical clinic at our sister church in Diocese of Kinkiiz, Uganda. The congregation supports the local Trussell Trust Foodbank and the Mission to Seafarers [Scotland]. We have close connections with Friends of Scottish Settlers [FoSS]. This is a local charity which supports refugees and asylum seekers in the local area. Three of our members are FoSS trustees and other members volunteer as is necessary. We have ecumenical links with five other churches in Falkirk. [These links are of particular importance during Holy Week and Prayer for Christian Unity Week.] We have established a close link with the local Air Cadet Squadron [470 Falkirk].

This annual report and accounts present a summary of our financial activities during the year and give an overview of general activities which have taken place in the life of our Church.

Activities and Achievements

The Church aims to maintain 2 services per week. Sung Eucharist at 10am on Sundays and Said Eucharist at 10am on Thursdays (in St Andrew’s Chapel during summer months in the hall at other times). Additionally, on the first Sunday of the month there is a Said Eucharist in the Lady Chapel. The hall is used for Church activities and is let out, at a modest hourly rate, to local community groups. In early October 2024, the 160" anniversary of the Church was marked by a Festal Mass followed by a buffet luncheon.

Structure and Governance

In terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Account (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Vestry reports to the congregation as Follows:

» Christ Church is a registered Scottish Charity (SCO17350) » Itisamember of the Diocese of Edinburgh of the Scottish Episcopal Church and is in full communion with the Anglican Church.
» The superior authority is the Bishop of Edinburgh. > Allof its affairs are governed by the Vestry.

Appointment of Vestry Members

Vestry members are elected or appointed by the Annual General Meeting established by constitution and under Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Apart from the Rector, ordinary Vestry members are elected by the congregation and usually serve for a term of 3 years and may not serve again for one year. They retire in rotation so that 2 of these elected members retire each year. The Rector’s Warden is appointed by the Rector. There is an election at each AGM for the post of Peoples’ Warden. The Rector is appointed by the Vestry and by the Bishop of the Diocese.

The Vestry Secretary gives regular updates to other Vestry members on relevant changes in legislation and best practice relating to charities. As a designated trustee of a charity each new Vestry member is provided with an introduction pack to ensure that they are familiar with the Church’s values, aims and responsibilities.

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

The Vestry appoint an Honorary Treasurer who, on behalf of the Vestry, must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The members of the Vestry are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request, must reflect the current financial position of the Church at that time.

Statement of risk

The Vestry keeps under review the major risks to which the Church is exposed and has established measures to mitigate any identified risk. We have established an ongoing risk assessment and appropriate updates are made by the Church’s Building Group. Our Safeguarding Policy has been adopted and copies are displayed within both the Church and the hall along with details and contact details of our PVG Co-ordinator.

Relationship with the SEC Diocese and Province

Christ Church is supported by the Diocese of Edinburgh and the Province through the pastoral oversight of the Bishop, with central support functions provided by the Diocesan level by the Rector and the Lay Representative. As a member of the SEC, Christ Church has an obligation to contribute to the costs of the Diocese and Province via payment of the annual quota an amount based on the relative level of income of the Church in comparison with that of other churches within the Diocese and Province.

Charitable Objectives and Activities

The Church’s principal activities include public worship in sacrament and prayer, Christian education, charitable work and fund-raising for local, national and international needs. There is a wide range of social events.

Volunteers

The Vestry acknowledges the time, freely given, by many volunteers to sustain a wide range of activities.

Income

The Church relies greatly on the generosity of its congregation for the majority of its day to day funding. In addition, smaller but noteworthy amounts are generated by fund-raising / social events. Church hall lets along with, currently, renting of the Rectory flat represent important sources of funding.

Reserves

The reserves fall into the category of both restricted and unrestricted funds. There are no endowment funds. Unrestricted funds can be spent on any relevant activity. However, restricted funds can only be used on a defined activity. The Vestry has adopted a policy of maintaining a level of unrestricted reserves such that, in the event of a significant drop in income, the Church would be able to sustain its current level of activities for a reasonable period of time until replacement funding is obtained.

Transfer of Funds

No physical transfer of funds has taken place.

investments

Monies which are not required to fund day-to-day expenditure are invested in the Scottish Episcopal Church Unit Trust Pool (UTP) administered by Baillie Gifford. The investment policy of the UTP, which accords with that of the Vestry, is to earn a return on assets over the long term, sufficient at least to maintain the real value of the distribution to unit holders. The UTP has developed an ethical investment policy. (No investment is made in companies which derive more that 15% of their revenue from tobacco, gambling or armaments.) In 2017, General Synod agreed a number of resolutions in respect of Climate Change Action and Fossil Fuel Investments. A further restricted category of investment has therefore been added to those

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

detailed above. (No direct investment will be made in companies deriving over 10% of their revenues from the extraction of thermal coal or tar sands.) The majority of the UTP is invested in UK equities.

Responsibilities of Vestry Members

The members of the Vestry must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The members of the Vestry are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request, must reflect the current position of the Church at that time. This must be done to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and must take reasonable steps for the prevention and/or detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Financial Review

During the year the receipts amounted to £68,482 and payments to £60,998 resulting in a surplus of £7,484. There was an unrealised gain of £1,069 in the value of investments. At the end of the year balances of bank account and investments totalled £84,885.

Conclusion

The members of the Vestry would like to thank all those who contribute their time, energy and money so generously to ensure the continuation ad development of Christ Church as a centre of worship and a focus for the community.

People’s Warden

March 1*, 2026

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

| report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 11.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Church's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. {as amended) (“the 2006 Regulations”) The Church's Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to exarnine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the 2005 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention, Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. {t also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matters, The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

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, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44{1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4
of the 2006 Regulations, and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of
the 2006 Accounts Regulation 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.

Donald Paterson

March 9%, 2026

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

Receipts and Payments for period ended 30th September 2025

RECEIPTS
:	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowments	oe	23/24
		£	£	£	£	£
WFO, Gift Aid		32,483			32,483	29,890
Tax Recovered		5,597			5,597	14,718
Ordinary Collections		7,497			7,497	6,673
Donations		2,685			2,685	422
Weddings, Baptisms,
Funerals		200			200	2,050
Investment Interest		708			708	293
Hall rental		6,926			6,926	5,735
Rectory rental		6,783			6,783	9,840
Fuel Bills		902			902	4,053
General Fundraising		3,887			3,887	4,807
Magazine		142			142	0
Rebates & Grants		0			0	480
Sundries		672			672	111
Flower Fund			0		)	90
Quinquennial			0		0	100
Rectory Renovations			0		0	O
CTP Donations			0		0	O
TOTALRECEIPTS		68,482	0	0	68,482	79,261

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

Receipts and Payments for period ended 30th September 2025

PAYMENTS

	Unrestricted	Restricted	oa	23/24
Clergy Stipend, NI, Pension
and Diocesan Fee	29,519		29,519	43,949
Ministry Travel Expenses	0		0	0
CPD	ie)		0)	8}
Relief Ministry Travel	379		379	75
Telephone	0		0)	31
Quota	5,198		5,198	5,192
Council Tax	0		0	0
Church, Rectory and
Hall Maintenance	7,199		7,199	4,968
Rectory rental expenses	1,421		1,421	695
Gas and Electricity	4,293		4,293	4,566
Cleaning	240		240	285
Water Rates	0		0	0
Altar	998		998	394
Insurance	4,869		4,869	4,753
Organists' Fees	1,029		1,029	932
Photocopying	0		0	6}
Garden	2,280		2,280	410
Web Site	288		288	0
Sundries	3,090		3,090	64
Quinquennial		194	194	900
Flower Fund		0	0	20
Rectory Renovations		0	0	1,420
CTP Donations		0	0	0
TOTAL PAYMENTS	60,804	194	60,998	68,654
Surplus(deficit)	7,678	-194	7,484	10,607

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

Statement of Funds

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Balance|Balance| |b/f|Receipts|Payments|Excess|Transfers|c/f| |(before|transfers)| |General|Fund|42012|68482|60804|7678|8)|49690| |Reserves|Fund|21591|1988|23579| |Total|Unrestricted|Funds|63604|70470|60804|9666|0|73269| |Flower Fund|1160|0|0|8)|0|1160| |Quinquennial|8542|0|194|-194|0|8348| |Contributing|Third|Party|2013|0|0|0|0|2013| |Rectory|Renovation|654|0|0|0|0|654| |Total|Funds|75972|70470|60998|9472|0|85444|

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Statement of Balances

Notes Unrestricted Restricted Endowments Total Funds

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |£|£|£|£| |Cash|at hand and|in|bank| |Cash|at|beginning|of|year|42,012|12,369|0|54,381| |Surplus/(deficit)|for|year|7,678|-194|7,484| |Transfers|between|funds|0|0|0| |Cash|at|end|of year|49,690|12,175|0|61,865.14| |Investments|(SEC|Unit|Trust|Pool)| |Market|value|at|beginning|of|year|21,591|21,591| |Additions|at|cost|0|0| |Disposal|proceeds|0|)| |Unrealised|gain/(loss)|for|year|1,988|1,988| |Market|value|at|year|end|23,579|0|0|23,579| |73,270|12,175|85,444| |Fund|Balances|(Cash,|Investments &|Assets|retained)| |At|beginning|of year|63,604|12,369|ie)|75,972| |Cash|surplus/(deficit)|for|year|7,678|-194|7,484| |Movement|in|investments|1,988|0|1,988| |Transfers|0| |At|end|of year|73,270|12,175|0|85,444|

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CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Funds and purpose

General Fund: This is the operational account, receiving income and paying expenses.

Reserves Fund: This fund is to meet any exceptional expenses.

Flower Fund: Provides flowers for the church each Sunday.

Quinquennial Fund: The fund is used for the upkeep of the church buildings. The church is inspected every five years.

Contributing Third Party Fund: The fund holds grants from outside agencies.

Rectory Renovation Fund: The fund is for the upkeep of the rectory.

Stipend

The church contributes to the national stipend fund. The rector is paid from the national fund.

Trustee remuneration

No trustees were paid for their services during the year.

Trustee transactions

There were no transactions with trustees during the year.

Collections for third parties

MacMillan £605 Quiet Waters £145 Food Bank £85 Lent Appeal £455 Nyakinoni £3,654 Total £4,944

CHRIST CHURCH FALKIRK

GIVING

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2024-2025| 2028-2024
Ordinary collections (open plate)
39679
FUND RAISING COLLECTED and DISBURSED
PO
344
3,526
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GENERAL FUND RAISING COLLECTED and DISBURSED

Investments

The church holds 715 units in the SEC Unit Trust.

SALE AND PURCHASE OF FIXED ASSETS

There has been no sale or purchase of fixed assets during the year.

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fa
Afed | Aha Sandie Bovaird
| [typed]
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Frank Murray/Sandie Bovaird Joint Acting Treasurers March 1*, 2026