Whatever Boaz may have gone through in the time of famine, he was doing well as a landowner when we meet him in the Bible, despite the frequent wars and political upheaval of the time.
The pandemic has left some of us in a strangely better financial position than before: people who have been able to keep jobs but have far less expenses. Covid-19 has drawn even bigger gaps between those who are comfortable and those who are struggling and it can be overwhelming to see so much need around us.
There’s a queue outside the school gate. It’s an orderly queue, with a vague 2m between adults, children in neat uniforms that have received their yearly iron, faces both excited and slightly overwhelmed to see friends again. Hand sanitiser is at the ready, face masks are in pockets (just in case) and admiring nods are given to the vigorous signage announcing the one way system around the school.
But then, there is a cough…
For those of you who jumped on the furlough scheme rollercoaster prior to June, it appears (at the time of writing) that we are approaching the end of the ride. After many twists, turns and updates, the expected end date is 31 October 2020 and employers will then need to decide whether to bring their employees back to work on their normal hours, reduce their employees’ hours or to sadly end their employment. More on this in a moment.
In our previous article (entitled There may be trouble ahead!), we outlined the evolving story of HMRC’s Trust Registration Service (TRS) and whether or not charities would be required to register with the Service. Penalties will apply for non-compliance so it is important for trustees to understand their obligations.
Being a church or Christian charity trustee is a very important and hopefully rewarding role within the organisation that you serve. Good, effective churches and charities need good, effective trustees as an essential part of a broad and diverse leadership team. Romans 12 draws that familiar picture of the church as the ‘body of Christ’, urging each person to take their place for the benefit of all. Trustees are a valuable and indispensable part of that body.
A reminder that a charitable company cannot claim the Employment NI Allowance when all of the following apply:
It is not surprising that given its importance and widespread impact, COVID-19 will feature in church and charity accounts for the foreseeable future. Whilst it is important, we do believe that this issue should not dominate the accounts, and neither should it overshadow the positive work and impact that churches are having in their local communities, perhaps even as a result of the pandemic.
The Charity Commission has issued a statement which says that during the coronavirus pandemic, it will be as flexible and pragmatic as possible in its approach to regulation. Whilst still asking charities to file accounts on time if at all possible, the Commission has said that where an imminent filing deadline can’t be met they can be contacted with a view to arranging an extension.
I didn’t plan to be there. Some unseen force had propelled me forward. I took the old dinner plate, lifted it high above my head and brought it down with such speed and force, smashing it into thousands of pieces. A word erupted from within me with such velocity that it burned from my stomach, through my chest, throat and out of my mouth… ”FEAR!”
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
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