2021 @ Spilsby Christian Fellowship
Once again we started the year in National lockdown, but fortunately this time, we were still able to continue with our weekly church services, and with the baby support group – which had grown in popularity – parents being immensely grateful for the opportunity to get out with their babies and see other people.
Whilst services were regularly recorded to allow people to watch online, it was nice to see a few new faces join with our weekly worship – numbers were sitting at 12 adults most weeks
With many families and individuals struggling locally the demand for food parcels increased, fortunately the amount of food we were able to collect also increased, and we also had a volunteer who was able to take over one of the weekend collections – a great help.
As we were collecting larger amounts of food – lots of bread and salad products we also needed a way of distributing the excess surplus, before it went off, so it was not wasted, and so early in the year we decided to trial popping food stuff – close to date and best before onto a table outside the front of church… this proved very popular and meant food could be accessed by people throughout the day… the covid injections set up at the next door franklin hall meant more people were parking by the church and this meant food could benefit more people. Lots of comments from local people gave their support of this method of food distribution, people could pop up, take a loaf of bread and be on their way – it was easy, confidential and they did not have to ask for a full parcel, but could choose what they selected. In the summer of 2021 after chairs and tables which had been used had “disappeared” we were able to purchase a trolley which has been ideal to display the food – although now it does need a bit of love and attention.
Covid restrictions meant we couldn’t carry out our normal “Easter Family Fun” but still wanting to provide something for local families we organised an “Easter Egg Trail” around Spilsby – something for all the family, which would also help people discover a bit about the reason we celebrate Easter… This ended up being a super day – cold, but fun and all our participants around 110
children and their adults had a great time, especially liking the “take away goody bag” with Easter Egg, treats, crafts and an Easter Booklet.
Helping with the rebuild and refurb we were able to have a few “outdoor” sales, including a couple of plant sales – kindly inspired by Karen Chapman Holland – who donated lots of “home grown” plants to help boost our funds. These were popular events, but also encouraged a few locals to volunteer their services and helped up develop relationships with local people.
Following the popularity of the cooking and baking packs we had been providing over lockdown and into 2021, in April we were given the opportunity by Tesco to offer a “Community cookery” course for 12 of our youth group members. Tesco’s provided vouchers for each person to purchase ingredients for specific recipes chosen by Tesco… then for a number of weeks – Vicki and I delivered “online” cookery lessons to show how to create the dishes… it was a bit of a daunting
prospect, but well worth the effort and great to hear the responses – new recipes tried out, kids eating things they normally wouldn’t and families making time to cook and eat together.
Tots resumed May 2021 – as a “book in” session on a Monday with Judith and a Wednesday with Vicki– starting slowly with 2 or 3 families, but gradually rising towards the end of the year when we were averaging 8 to 10 families on a Monday and 6 on a Wednesday. The tots year ended with a very popular “Spilsby Area” tots Christmas party at the fellowship, inviting in families from other toddler groups in the area – Partney, Halton, New Life and ourselves with activities and crafts being provided by all groups – 50 children and their parents attended and a good time was had by all – all agreed it would be good to do this again in the future…
Our school uniform bank continued to be a welcome support for local families, demand varies, but it is good that we are able to provide it and families appreciate being able to reduce their uniform bill by using the bank – both in Spilsby and Horncastle – the summer holidays as always kept us on our toes sorting, washing, storing and getting uniform out.
In September finally after pushing the start back a number of times we were able to get started again with youth group…from the start numbers were good, with an average of 12 primaries and 12 secondaries, by Christmas numbers had crept up to between 16 to 18 primaries and up to 15 secondaries. We have also managed to recruit some new volunteers with Hope volunteering as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and the addition of Jess as a young leader,
and a couple of adults who are willing to help out as and when needed – which is brilliant and an answer to prayer.
Messy church also returned and we were able to invite families in for our Light party in October…. So great to see families back having fun and joining in with one another..
November 2021 – the church appointed Vicki Ireland as a paid food bank worker, 8hrs a week to ease the workload on Judith and to ensure vital things like cleaning, stock rotation and the preparation and recording of food parcels was carried out more efficiently
Our annual Christmas Stocking Appeal was launched and letters were sent to local schools, community groups, children’s and adult services and slowly referals came in…. finally in the last few days requests totalled 122 – some for individuals living alone, others for families with up to 6 children…. Fortunately through donations from church members, the local community, schools and firms – Tong, GPC, the sale of “Christmas Jumpers”and individuals, vicki and I were able to fill and deliver the stockings in time for Christmas.
At this years Christmas Nativity – one of the highlights of my church year, it was lovely alongside the regular church members to welcome 8 or so families from our baby and toddler groups, a real community feel and we just pray that they learned something of the real meaning of Christmas and felt God’s love for them…
Timeline of Rebuild and Refurb Project at Spilsby Christian Fellowship
Jan 2019 Project launched through Spilsby Standard – aiming to raise funds for the 2 phase project, side and rear extension, then the big build in place of portacabin
Feb 2019 – flooring taken up, levelled, laid back down and new carpets tiles laid in main hall
Sept to Dec 2019 – Mens toilet transformed into new disabled loo
11th March 2020 - Planning permission for side extension granted
Mid June 2020 – Building regs
12th July 2020 - Wynn begins digging the footings
9th August 2020 - Footings with mini digger – DAVE
12th Nov 2020 – Brickwork making slow progress
Delays due to weather, time and no helpers
2nd March 2021 – Brick work progressing
4th April 2021 – Most of brickwork completed
24th May 2021 – Geoff helps to put roof on
June 2021 – Internal doorways from church to extension made
July 2021 – end wall bricked up
August 2021 – brickwork and roof complete
1st Sept 2021 – move into side extension
9th October 2021 – move food racking and supplies into the new food bank
24th October 2021 – rip wall linings and carpet out of old food store
31st Dec 2021 – Kitchen units in
Spilsby Chrfsifjan Fellowship mmarytsf Incornp and ExpeThJitureAcownts for the yeareNlir¥ 3151 Dettmber2021 We have prepared these accounts based on the infomiatKJn and explanarions provided to U5 by the officers of the Spilsby chrilan Fellowship. Y4ithout carryir¥out an aydit. and are of the opinion that they form a true and fairwewof the financial situaiion atthe accounting date. M Johnson fov Dexter & Sharpe OFficersAppro¥al We approve these accounts arKI confirm that we ha¥e provided suffi(iEnt iTrforrnation and exjjlanations to enable theirpreparniion. and kWOde a trueand fairvieviatthe accountirg date. Treasurer officer Date
S Ilsb Chrfistlan Fellowshl Movewnent in Fund5 for the r endi Jlst Dttember2021 2021 Bank Actounts 1,820.41 6.318.55 1,154.72 TreasurersA¢count Church House Ac(Dunt Instantsaver BuiWin8Account 2.662.63 10.719.96 3.270_27 9.293.68 Total Church Acownt Funds 16.712.86 1,385.50 Corne and PlayAccount 799.64 10.679.18 17.512.$0 39_48 .74 Come and PiiyAccount Youth Account 42.96 I.22 42.96 10.779.40 17,555.46 10,779.40 Nei Fund5 Avaitableal theYearEnd 17.555.46
Chrtsllan Fellowshl Come and Pla Tots Incorne and Ex nditUreAttntfQTthe arendi Jlst December2021 Income 515.10 15.IX) Donations 530.10 Equipment Food Sundries Outreach Artwities First Aid Cuur5e Church Ekctri( 150.74 15.95 92.(K) 164.96 30.CW) 801.95 11,255.601 ndi(ure over IrKomefortheYear 1725.501
Christian Fellowshi Church Accounts Incomeand 31st l)e¢ember 1021 Income Rental Income OFFeriry rithes Fundrai51 Raffie5 Donations Sales Bank Interest Buildin6 Fund Balance Introduced 6.6m.(Xl 1.028.26 3.130. 8.358.49 67.50 3.110.85 1.335.Y) 0.19 9.401.52 421_10 33,453.41 Equipment purchased Gas & Electric Water Rates Broadband Insurance Wa8es Administration Fees Easterand Buildir¥ Fundraiser Ground%Yorksand Building works Legal. Professional Fees and subscript5 Storage Fees Accountanc¥ Fees School Uniforn)s Building and Equipment rep3its Foodbank pur¢ha*s Mi5cellaneovs 70.86 5.191. 239.12 31M.39 960.15 285_12 37.(X) lJ35. 15,924.84 276.11 591.82 103.60 181.89 210.68 239.37 125.951.851 Excess of Incorn2 over nditu fortheyear 7.501.56
Chrlstlan Fellowshi Summa ol Incorne and r¥Jire Acc4wnts forthe arendi 3ts1 Oecember2021 (hur¢h Account IoMe Expenditure Net Profft 33,453.41 125,951.851 7.501.56 Comt and Pl Account Income Expendfture Net L055 11.255.601 1725.501 Youth A¢¢0 Income Expenditure Net Profft ComtHned Net Pn>fftforthe Year 6,776.06 Nei Increa*e in Funds 6.n6.1
SPILSBY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INCOME AND EXPENDIWRE ACCOUI FOR THE YEAR ENDING 315r OE(EMBER 2021 t*xiei& SharpE Chartered Certified AOuntants IIN12 The Terra 5pi1sby ncolnshire PE13 5JR