Edinburgh Balerno Parish Church Congregation No: 01/0002 Scottish Charity No: SC 018012 (Edinburgh Balerno Church of Scotland) ACCRUED (SORP COMPLIANT) ACCOUNTS for year ended 31st December 2019 Trustees’ Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2019 ANNUAL REPORT INDEX Page 2-3 Opening Statement and Objectives and Activities 3 Achievements and Performance Steering Group Report: 4 Committee Activity Reports General Aims 5 Steering Group 6 Families Ministry 7 Fellowship 8 Finance 9 Mill Operations Unit 10 Mission & Outreach 11 Pastoral Care 12 Property 13 Worship & Learning Financial Report: 14-15 Financial Review for 2019 15 Risk Management, Reserves Policy and Structure, Governance and Management 16 Reference and Administrative Information 17 Trustees Responsibility in relation to the Financial Statement 18 Independent Examiners Report 19 Statement of Financial Activities 20 Balance Sheet 21 Statement of Cash Flows 22-23 Accounting Policies 24-30 Notes to accounts 31 Blank page for notes Edinburgh Balerno Church of Scotland SC018012 Page 1 of 31 Trustees’ Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2019 The trustees present the annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2019. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in pages 22-23 of the report and comply with General Assembly Regulations for Congregational Finance, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document The Acts of the General Assembly, and in particular the Unitary Deed of Constitution, act as the primary governing documents for Edinburgh Balerno Parish Church of Scotland. Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees Members of the Kirk of Session are the charity trustees. The Kirk Session comprises the elders of the church who are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. Organisational Structure The Kirk Session which meets regularly throughout the year is responsible for all the affairs of the congregation. Charitable purposes Balerno Parish Church is concerned with the advancement of the Christian Faith, education, and the development of the community, both locally and beyond. Objectives and Activities The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in policy. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world. As a national Church, it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of the Christian Faith to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond. Objectives and Activities Balerno Parish Church operates as a Church from its premises at 2 Main Street Balerno EH14 7EH Worship takes place each Sunday at 10am and also at additional times. The Church and its halls are used for a variety of religious and community activities each week Communion Sundays take place three times each year. A family communion at 9am allows for a family friendly setting and is followed by a traditional communion service at 10am and a shorter service at 2.30pm. The latter is particularly popular with more senior members. A new initiative has been the provision on a monthly basis of a short communion service at noon on a Tuesday. Edinburgh Balerno Church of Scotland SC018012 Page 2 of 31 Trustees’ Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2019 Sunday Club runs during the Sunday morning Service. After the Children’s address from the Minister the children move to the Ogston Hall where stories from the Old and New Testament are shared and explored through a variety of activities. Worship is enhanced by contributions from an active choir and also from the music group ‘Jubilate’ The Bible Study Group has met every second and fourth Thursday between 7.30-8.30 pm in the Manse. The group is led by the minister and has over many years used a wide variety of resources and courses to study the Bible. The group is informal and friendly and a place where anyone, whatever their knowledge, can feel comfortable discussing a range of relevant issues. The Guild meets on the first and third Wednesday from October to March and numbers are steady with between 20 to 25 members attending. They follow the Church of Scotland Guild’s Strategy of 2018-2022: “One Journey, Many Roads!” with the Theme of 2019 being ‘Companions on the Road’ In addition, the Church Fellowship Committee organises regular Dinner Discussion meetings and a variety of well-attended social functions and is a major contributor to the Balerno Music Festival. Achievements and Performance Committee Group Reports are detailed separately on the following pages, but the following matters should be noted. Undoubtedly the greatest challenge for the congregation this year has been the absence of the minister on sick leave. The minister was signed off in mid-September. The congregation holds the minister and his family in prayerful support and looks forward to his return in the new year. Part-time provision for a locum is made by the Presbytery and funded by the Church of Scotland nationally. The office-bearers and congregation are to be commended for their hard work and resilience during this difficult period. A successful application was made to the Church of Scotland ‘Go for it’ fund in order to carry out research into the most appropriate way to enhance the ministerial team. However, due to the Minister’s absence, conversations have been held with the ‘Go for It’ executive and a six-month extension has been authorised for the completion of the project and full utilisation of the funds allocated for the appointment of a researcher. The Mill Café continues to promote the Church’s Mission of Hospitality. The Café welcomes some 15000 customers each year and now incorporates a number of community activities alongside its main catering function. It has faced particular challenges this year with the failure of the Oven in the kitchen. Staff and volunteers have worked heroically to maintain a high standard of service and an ever welcoming atmosphere, despite the disruption. The congregation continues to take it’s role in the community seriously and offers a supportive relationship to Scouts, the Dementia Café, the Local schools and the rugby club to name but a few. Edinburgh Balerno Church of Scotland SC018012 Page 3 of 31 Trustees’ Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2019 Committee Group Reports for 2018/19 The following pages were compiled through the Steering Group for inclusion in the church’s annual report to provide a summary outline of the activities of the sub-committees of the Kirk Session in the year ending in the summer of 2019. JB January 2019 Note: Contents: The following pages give a summary of the Steering Group Page 5 work of the various sub committees of the Kirk Session which co-ordinate and organise the Families Ministry Page 6 activities of the congregation. The reports Fellowship Page 7 reflect a wide range of activity, but cannot Finance Page 8 disguise the fact that there are areas where a diminishing pool of volunteers creates The Mill Page 9 challenges in sustaining our programmes. Mission and Outreach Page 10 These are challenges which are impacting on Pastoral Care Page 11 the Church of Scotland nationally as communities evolve with social change. Property Page 12 Worship and Learning Page 13 General Aims As Jesus’ Followers to be better at talking about our faith to offer to help people on their journey of faith to ensure that disciples follow the social justice imperative. As a Family caring for young people caring for families caring for the isolated. As Bridge-builders in to the community to provide support networks for people to communicate what we do to improve our publicity. As an Open house to be “open” – the centre at the centre to further develop St Joseph’s as a drop-in centre – professionally run to offer more activities and learning opportunities. Edinburgh Balerno Church of Scotland SC018012 Page 4 of 31 Trustees’ Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2019 Balerno Parish Church Steering Group Summary 2018/19 To Grow faith where life happens, by becoming stronger through worship, larger through Purpose evangelism, warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship and broader through ministry and service. Remit Achieve and develop these aims by coordinating, prioritising and communicating the activities of church committees and organisations. • Refine and modify aims as required to deliver the strategic goals of the Kirk Session. Activities Achievements Maintaining a structure to support and We have been able to maintain a range of committees of the Kirk deliver the operation of church life. Session which continue to organise the details of church actions and activities. Collating and supplying the information required for the process of Local Church In addition to the completion of the proformas which were required by Review the LCR process, we were able to submit copies of our planning documents over the 5 years since the previous LCR. Collaboration with A Place for Hope. The SG has sought to support all discussions and exchanges organised by A Place for Hope with members of the congregation. Anticipating the needs of the parish. There has been considerable energy spent in trying to adapt proceedings in order to maintain levels of activity with a more flexible approach to the role of Church Officer.