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# 2021 Annual General Meeting Reports 


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## **Forward** 

**Due to government restrictions related to Covid-19 we are not able to physically meet for the 2021 Annual General Meeting. The Leadership Group (Trustees) have approved the issuing of the following reports electronically, and by post as required. Following this, time has been allowed for comments/questions to be received, considered and then replied to. Partners have been given the opportunity to hear any responses through a video-conference (Zoom) meeting and then electronically through email.** 

**This approach has been considered as acceptable by the Charity Commission.** 

## _**Bob Woods**_ 

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## **MINUTES: AGM 26th Feb 2020** 

## **1.0 Welcome:** 

Following Tea & Coffee Pastor Masai welcomed everyone and prayed for the evening. 

**2.0 Apologies/Present:** 

|Apologies|9|
|---|---|
|Housebound|5|
|No attendance|9|
|Present|26|
|Total Partners|49|



## **3.0 AGM 2019** 

These minutes were accepted by a show of hands having being proposed by Ken Evans and seconded by Janet Ross 

## **4.0 Matters arising: Network** 

Previously been reported that possible networks had been looked into but the distance deemed them not feasible. Also we were waiting to see if a network of churches was formed from the churches that had withdrawn from Assemblies of God (AoG). There had been no movement on this and a network seems unlikely. 

With this in mind the Leadership Group has met separately with representatives of the AoG and Vineyard networks.  Two criteria were considered when reviewing these as: 

- Is the network a suitable fit for the fellowship 

- Does the Pastor feel comfortable as an accredited minister within the network, as he currently has missionary accreditation with AoG. However he would not stand in the fellowship’s way if they decided on a different network to AoG. 

## _**AoG assessment:**_ 

Have a new leader, Glynn Barrett, which for some has given a better feel within the denomination. However the reasons WVCC left AoG have not been addressed, which include: Structure, role of the National Leadership Group and Directors Group, lack of input from the local fellowships, very business like organization. There would also be a 5% yearly subscription of non-designated income. 

## _**Vineyard assessment:**_ 

Setup was very much along the lines of the beginnings of AoG. There was a family focus and structure. A focus of worship and evangelism. There were some concerns over their eldership views and minor doctrinal differences. Again a subscription of 5% non-designated income is required which is mainly for church planting abroad. This network was dismissed due to the impact on Pastor’s accreditation needs. 

The Elim denomination was discussed but not looked into due to their strong centralized position. 

Time was given to discuss this update and views noted. 

## **5.0 2019 Reports:** 

Written reports had previously been distributed from Administrator, Treasurer, Missionary Secretary, and the Leaders of Kids Church, Kids Alive and the Ladies Group. 

Time was given to review and discuss these. 

- The position of PCC and the very recent opportunity of a buyer was shared. 

- Arrangement around the investment with Quilter Cheviot was clarified. 

- Again the need for leaders for the Kids Church was expressed. 

- Thanks were especially made to Dave Potts for his involvement in sharing the Missions work. 

## **6.0 Pastor’s report and Vision (Verbal): Summarised** 

A list of what has happened or been done within the last year will be stated in the ministry reports. 2019 was our year of restoration, and I believe, for those of us who were seriously seeking, God did a deep work of restoration in each of our individual lives and corporately to us as a fellowship. Naturally we may not have seen this but as Apostle Paul stated spiritual things are always spiritually discerned. And as your spiritual leader, I want you to know that, as a fellowship, we are not where we were in 2019, because God is drawing us closer to Himself. This is why I believe the theme of our church this year in Hebrews 12:1-2, is key to what I trust we are going to see this year. 

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It was wonderful to see so many school children from different schools and their teachers come to attend our Bible Times Exhibition. I was also overjoyed to see more children come for the Holiday Club. 

In spite of the serious shortage of people to take different responsibilities in our church, God has remained faithful to us all through 2019. 

In 2019, I find that there is so much to celebrate, rejoice and give thanks for! While change can often seem slow and so incremental to us, God is so good and faithful to walk us through His plan in His perfect time! 

As your pastor, I know we all want to be a church that is fully committed to the Lord, 

We have been waiting on God for sometime now, but we believe help is on the way, and this year; We are looking to God with great expectation. 

2020 will be another great year at WVCC. I believe that God is going to grow our church; That we will be a gathering place for those seeking to lift up the name of Jesus and join our voices together for the cause of God’s kingdom. 

I will lead well, teach well and care well, so that we can accomplish all that God has laid before us. Thank you for your support this year, thank you for your presence in church on Sundays, and thank you for being part of our congregational life here. 

“To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 

All reports were accepted by a show of hands having being proposed by Hill Benson and seconded by Adrian Scott. 

## _**A detailed report is added to the formal 2020 AGM report Reports are filed in the formal 2020 AGM report and should be read along with these minutes.**_ 

## **7.0 Submitted Questions:** 

None received 

## **8.0 Round table discussion** 

Whilst sharing supper, round table discussions were held. Pastor Kahindi had shared his values for the church over recent weeks. Discussion was requested on how we practically implement these. Feedback was given and taken for the Leadership to further discuss. 

## **9.0 Close:** 

Thanks was expressed to Jill for organsing the catering . The meeting closed with prayer. 

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**Reports** 

## **ADMINISTRATOR** 

## **Bob Woods** 

Without doubt 2020 has been a strange and difficult year.  Our church events have been severely curtailed for the majority of the year. However we have held a weekly Sunday service. When allowed this has been physically at WVCC, otherwise we have provided these online. We also purchased equipment to allow us to stream our service to either facebook or youtube. Alongside this midweek services have been held over Zoom, a video conferencing facility. 

We have endeavoured to keep in touch through phone, email, weekly newsletter, and a Sunday informal Zoom get together. Until we can assess the full impact on our income/expenditure, and a more settled position, we have delayed salary reviews. Our Missionary support has rolled over from last year until we are in a position to meet and review this. 

## **Partners** 

A review of the partners list has been undertaken with changes noted below. We have a number of housebound folk, whist valued and part of the fellowship, if we needed to act with a quorum they would affect the minimum number. Therefore these partners have been listed as emeritus status. 

As of 1st February 2021 the number of partners remain unchanged at 49. Of these 49 we have 46 active and 3 emeritus partners. In year changes were: 

Welcomed: Paul & Janet Johnson (Awaiting recognition at WVCC) Deceased: Dawn Thompson Moved away: David Anderson 

## **Leadership Group** 

Membership: No change during 2020 

Regular monthly meetings have been held to discuss the practical and spiritual needs of the fellowship. Where allowed these were physical meetings, otherwise they were held over Zoom video conferencing. The complex sale of PCC was time consuming but thankfully now completed. 

## **Submissions, reports and policies** 

- Charity Commission yearly report submitted. 

- Policies will be reviewed and updated on a rolling basis throughout 2021 

## **Internet** 

The website, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter accounts continue to be updated and provide useful contact resources. In particular Youtube has been a valuable platform, for those unable to attend WVCC, to stream our Sunday service. 

## **Estates** 

## _**Phoenix Christian Centre (PCC)**_ 

Having realised the need to close PCC the building was finally sold during 2020. Financial details are in the Treasurers report. _**Wear Valley Christian Centre**_ 

Major actions/items purchased were: 

- Windows: Following the repair of the windows in 2019 these have been re-stained. 

- Roof repairs 

- During Lockdown we had the Foyer decorated ready for our return. 

- Streaming: Purchase of camera and related items to allow streaming of our service. 

- Covid Safe: Various items eg For disinfecting and Communion have been purchased to allow Covid Safe practice. 

- Fire alarms and extinguishers have again been tested and serviced. 

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I must say a special thanks to Andrew Britton who throughout lockdown maintained the building. 

- Swapping over the upholstered chairs to more easily cleaned plastic ones, 

- Weekly flushing of the plumbing 

- Changing the platform to an appropriate setting for streaming 

- Various minor works 

**Hire:** When permitted WVCC has been hired out for regular slots with Slimming World. However there have been periods where we had no additional income through hire, and others where this was reduced. 

## **Trust Deed** 

As we no longer function from PCC Willington we need to remove this from our Trust Deed and various policies. 

## **TREASURER** 

**Report written by Karen Kahindi & Bob Woods Based on reports from Smith & Co Accountants, Spennymoor** 

**Receipts and Payments 2020** 

|**Receipts and Payments 2020**|**Receipts and Payments 2020**|**Receipts and Payments 2020**|**Receipts and Payments 2020**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**2019**|**2020**|**Change **|
|**Receipts**||||
|Offerings|45,268|38,402|-6,866|
|Hire|8,061|2,636|-5,425|
|Donations|15,828||-15,828|
|Gift Aid|3,178|2,707|-471|
|**WVCC**|72,335|43,746|-28,590|
|**PCC**|158|0|-158|
|**Charity Total**|72,493|43,746|-28,748|



|**Payments**|**Payments**|**Payments**|**Payments**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Employees|30,683|29,416|-1,268|
|Employees expenses|576|227|-349|
|Accountancy|1,051|1,452|401|
|Pension Admin costs|0|310|310|
|Solicitor|250|0|-250|
|General and Administration|2,104|805|-1,300|
|Premises|14,652|12,202|-2,450|
|Equipment and worship|799|1,064|265|
|Ministry|1,175|150|-1,025|
|Missionarysupport|4,740|5,650|910|
|Donations and Gifts|0|0|0|
|Youth And Children|0|120|120|
|Hospitalityand events|877|69|-808|
|**WVCC**|56,908|51,464|-5,444|
|**PCC**|929|1,460|531|
|**Charity Total**|57,837|52,924|-4,913|
|||||
|**Surplus/Deficit(-) foryear**||||
|WVCC|15,428|-7,718|-23,146|
|PCC|-771|-1,460|-689|
|**Charity Total**|**14,657**|**-9,178**|**-23,835**|



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|**Charity Reserves**|**Charity Reserves**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||**2019**|**2020**|**Change **|
|Balance b/fwd 1 January|50,942|65,598|14,656|
|Add:-Suplus for theyear|14,657|-9,178|-23,835|
|Total Funds Bank-31 December|65,598*|56,420|-9,178|
|||||
|**Charity Total**|**2019**|**2020**|**Change**|
|General Accounts|65,598|56,420|-9,178|
|Quilter Cheviot Investment as of|109,269.00|113,506.00|4,237|
|Sale of PCC|0.00|132,080.00|132,080|



Please note 65598* 

This figure was reported as 65734 in 2019. The Kids Alive monies (£135.60) being counted twice. 

## **Key Notes** 

## _**Income (Receipts)**_ 

1. Compared to 2019 offerings and Gift Aid are reduced 

2. Compared to 2019 hire income reduced. This is a consequence of closure due to Covid-19 

3. PCC sale was £136,000.  Taking account of legal fees and Estate agents the balance was £132,080. There was an additional legal cost paid from general funds related to removal of the covenant. 

_**Ring Fenced Monies:**_ Included in the general accounts are £2422 ring fenced monies. 

1. Encounter: £   922 

2. Computer Café: £1500 

## _**2020 Overview**_ 

1. Given our surplus, invested monies, and the proceeds from the PCC sale our finances are in a healthy position. However we do show a deficit for 2020 of £9178 with our day-to-day running 

We are thankful for the faithful support given especially throughout 2020 and the affects of the pandemic. 

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## **MISSIONS** 

## **David Potts** 

_**In 2020 we supported the following Missionaries and Missionary organisations: -**_ 

||**Financial Support**|**Financial Support**|**Financial Support**|||**Non-financial Support**|**Non-financial Support**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Gabriel &<br>Daniela Corradini||Asturias,<br>Spain|£ 720||Jason & Rachel Kane<br>Platform 67||Afghanistan<br>Least-reached communities|
|Veronica Doyle-<br>Davidson (Vee)||China & Asia|£ 720||Claire Kinkead||around the world<br>Jamaica|
|John & Liz<br>Ginny Perkins &<br>Carol Seymour||EAB, Brazil<br>CAMI,<br>Congo|£ 720<br>£ 720||Biju Thampy<br>Dave Taylor||Vision Rescue, India<br>Colombia Child Care UK|
|Shadrack Nyota||Kenya|£ 720|||||
|Richard Ouko<br>Otieno||Kenya|£ 750<br>(30 admin charge)||Christian Solidarity Worldwide<br>(CSW)|||
||||||Bible Society|||



In January 2021, I attended our church leadership annual business meeting to discuss the Missions work. 

At the end of January, we held another Missions night with a missionary quiz and presentation. Information was available of all our Missionaries and Missionary organisations that we support here at WVCC. It was a great night and helped focus our thoughts and prayers on the many ministries involved. 

At the beginning of last year, we gave a one-off gift of £300 to Platform 67. The total amount of Missions giving by WVCC in 2020 was £4650. The General accounts also include the gift given to Bishop Auckland Passion Play. 

In March 2020, the Covid-19 virus hit with devastating and life-changing effects. We are all suffering from the consequences of the terrible pandemic in some way or another. The plans we had for the church and Missions work went out of the window and major changes had to be put into place to cope with this crisis. Thank God for providing us with technology and enabling our church to carry on, even if in a totally different form. 

In April 2020, Bob started the weekly church newsletter and asked me if I could share some Missionary information. At first, I thought I would struggle to find enough information to share every week. Just the opposite. On a daily basis I receive ample newsletters and prayer requests, which I strongly believe God is providing to help us keep focused on His Missions work. 

We now receive information from Nic and Sarah McBride, who are good friends of Bob. They work for Sunrise Development Foundation in Yunnan, China. It is a non-profit, non-government charitable organisation that helps those in need. I will be sharing about them and their work soon. 

Due to Covid, there were no Missionary visits in 2020 and at present we are unable to plan any in the near future. Current circumstances also affected the ‘Shoebox Appeal’ which meant we were unable to send the shoeboxes - monetary gifts of £605 were generously given instead. 

Last year, we had news that Carol Seymour and Ginny Perkins are going to be retiring from working in the Congo for CAMI. They have spent many faithful years doing God’s work, winning souls for Him and showing His love to many, many people. Carol and Ginny will return to the UK, leaving the Lighthouse Project and other ministries in capable hands. 

In 2021 I will continue to share as much information as I can, to keep us up to date with all our Missions work from around the world. 

On behalf of all the Missionaries and Missionary organisations, I would like to thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. 

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## **PASTOR** 

## **Masai Kahindi** 

Brothers and sisters, as I contemplate all that has happened in 2020, I still find that there is so much to celebrate, rejoice, and give thanks for! 

While it is true that 2020 was a very challenging year due to Covid-19 which led to a very long lockdown of the church, and that resulted in all the plans and dreams we had for the year being shelved. 

But through that challenging time, we were forced by the circumstances to learn new skills and do things that in my opinion, would have taken a very long time to learn if it were not for the situation we were in. 

Things like: Getting together through Zoom. Getting our services on YouTube. Streaming our services live which I believe is potentially very beneficial to our elderly and those who are housebound. 

I want to thank you all for your support, prayers, and encouragement through that challenging time, especially for the leaders advising and making sure that even when we were not physically meeting, somehow we remained connected. Thank you Bob for your wisdom, the Church Newsletter, which has kept us updated with one another, organising all the Zoom meetings and all the other very important things that you do in the background as our administrator that makes our church run smoothly. 

Thank you David and Ken for all the wisdom, guidance, pastoral care and phone calls that you’ve made to encourage and minister to different people. 

I know I cannot mention everyone here but there are a few people in our congregation I feel I should mention this year. And these are: Andrew, Adrian, Hill, Rachael, Alison, Dave & Karen. 

I want to express my sincere thanks to 

- Andrew for the many things he has been doing in this church in the background to make changes and improve the church that not even many people know about. Even the lighting and background for the recorded sermons were all due to his creativity and hard work carrying the furniture up and downstairs thank you! 

- Adrian for His willingness to minister here in our church whenever we need you to and again for the practical support with things like setting the heating so we don’t freeze during the meetings - thank you 

- Hill for your willingness to minister here in our church whenever we need you to. Both you and Adrian have been a blessing. 

- Rachael for her advice and help with the live streaming and for organising the banner again. 

- Alison for all her hard work in cleaning and keeping the church running well and in order - we appreciate all you do for us. 

- Dave for faithfully keeping us connected to our missionaries and keeping us so well informed. 

- Karen for being willing and ready at any time to step in and help in the church if need be.  Your passion and dedication to the Lord, and your church is amazing and all of you are such a blessing! 

- Everyone who faithfully joins us in person or online for the services, Zoom meetings and for prayer. We appreciate your commitment and participation in what we are doing. Also for those who unknown to us but known to God, are being the hands, feet, eyes, shoulders, etc. that God has called you to be to your neighbours, friends and family! 

In the coming months, we hope to start a weekly devotional which can go out online as a start of reaching outside the church whilst we are still in lockdown. Prayers for this would be appreciated. 

I pray that “...the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better”! (Colossians 1:10) And as our theme verse for the year says; 

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God.” (MSG) 

This year I believe God wants us to totally focus on Him.  Grow in Him and prepare for when the time is right to go for Him. 

May God bless you and build you up in His Spirit. 

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