FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BEDFORD CHARITY NO: 1064225 ## **ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **1 JANUARY 2022 – 31 DECEMBER 2022** To the Charity Commission. ## Aim and Purpose First Church of Christ, Scientist, Bedford, is a branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. As noted in our branch church Constitution and By-Laws our purpose is to promote the understanding and demonstration of truth as set forth in The Bible and interpreted in _Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures_ by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. ## Activities The activities listed below are free of charge and open to the general public: Church services Testimony Meetings Sunday School Reading Room Saturday Morning Reading Group Public lectures on Christian Science. All our services are focused on healing and include Scriptural readings, prayer and hymns. We plan our activities bearing in mind the guidance on Public Benefit given by the Charity Commission under the heading “Advancement of Religion”. These activities are also in line with guidance given in the _Manual of The Mother Church,_ The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. ## Fundraising Our activities are funded through church collections and individual donations. We do not employ professional fundraising organisations to raise funds for us _._ FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BEDFORD CHARITY NO: 1064225 How our activities achieve our purpose Our **Sunday morning services** and **Weekly Testimony meetings** are designed to provide a reflective experience for the congregation which is conducive to healing. Readings from The Bible and _Science and Health_ are chosen with the aim of deepening the appreciation of man’s relationship to God through greater understanding of The Bible _._ There is time allotted at the Testimony Meetings for those attending to speak of the benefits of this greater understanding of God gained through their own experience. Every week several people will share how they have been helped through their study of The Bible and _Science and Health._ At the end of January 2022 we were delighted to reopen our church doors and hold our services and meetings in our newly refurbished church. The new AV system has meant we could continue to welcome attendees online and we are very grateful to be able to continue this outreach. Our newly refurbished and colourful **Sunday School,** which is open to youngsters up to the age of 20 for Bible study and discussion, reopened at the same time. Our **Reading Room** on the church premises is open to the general public for an average of 4 hours per week. This space offers visitors a quiet space in which to read, pray, study The Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. The Reading Room also operates a book shop and lending library and has a computer and lap top for online research. Healings and experiences are shared in the weekly publication the _Christian Science Sentinel,_ the monthly magazine _The Christian Science Journal_ and in various languages in _The Herald of Christian Science._ These magazines are published in the United States and are normally offered for sale in our Reading Room. Any profit generated by sales is returned to the church and goes towards the upkeep of the building and to support the range of services to the public. Our showcase had continued to be updated and refreshed throughout 2022 by our team of Reading Room Assistants. Scriptural texts, passages from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and from Christian Science literature are displayed. Themed items are chosen with the intent to uplift, heal and comfort those in need. Particular attention is given to local, national and world events which need prayerful support. With our team onsite, this FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BEDFORD CHARITY NO: 1064225 community service was made easier, and the ability to welcome visitors, answer questions and provide a quiet space for study, prayer and reflection has been welcomed by all. Gift subscriptions to some of our periodicals were accepted by the Library at HMP Woodhill and The University of Bedford Faith Department. **The Saturday Morning Reading Group** is an educational activity organised by the Reading Room. It has met regularly for many years and comfortably lends itself to in-person and remote attendance, attracting participants from further afield. Attendees are currently reading _Science and Health_ aloud – sharing ideas, inspiration and seeking healing insights from this textbook of Christian Science. ## **Lecture** On Sunday 11 September 2022 the church held a lecture open to the public entitled Finding Trust in a Changing World. It was a joy to welcome members, friends and visitors to hear the message that God’s loving, divine presence can bring reliable stability and support to each and every one of us. The church also financially supported a public lecture given by Christian Science Society Leamington Spa during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The church has a **Care Committee** which is tasked with maintaining contact with those individuals who are temporarily unable to attend church services. Our **website** has been enormously helpful in providing information about our activities and also a link to sites operated by the international Christian Science movement. The aim is to highlight the potential for healing as a result of deepening one’s understanding of God. www.christian-science-bedford.org.uk. The activities of the **Bedford Council of Faiths** continue to be supported by our church and individual memberships. During the year links continued to be forged with other faith groups. In September, alongside members of these faith groups, individuals from the church represented Bedford Council of Faiths at a Thanksgiving Service for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. **The Refurbishment Project** continued to be funded through donations from members and from grants received from The Christian Science Trust in Great Britain, an organisation which exists to assist Christian Science churches to flourish by supporting projects of the above mentioned type. We are so FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BEDFORD CHARITY NO: 1064225 grateful that the new, fresh look has resulted in renewed energy in focussing on our support for our community and each other. ## **Conclusion** We are a lay church with officers elected annually and serving on a strict rotational basis. The Trustees appreciate the work of all our church family who contribute so much to the smooth running of the church and its activities. Christian Science is a non-medical religious healing system whose adherents rely on prayer for healing all conditions, but all those who practise it remain free at any time to choose medical treatment should they so wish. The Trustees are deeply grateful for progress made in all our activities this year. FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. SCIENTIST BEOFORD BALANCE SHEET AND ASSETS AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2022 2021 2022 24.322 21,145 3.588 Pennaneni L4nd & Buildings at cosi Fixtures & Fittin8s ai Cosl OrB8n ai Cosi 24,322 21.145 3,588 49.056 Tol•l rjf Flxed Ajstts 49.056 Replace Insurance covcr ai 31 Dcc 2022 Building 647.646 Conten1$ 39.713 657JS9 311.149 Genernl F'und R¢s¢rve Fund Church Fund5 15.449 20.014 35.463 38.149 1.558 Ttst*l Fund$ 88,763 Funds and Fixed Assets 2,479 Closing Sio¢k.. Reading Room 91,242 TotAI Assell 85,699 2,569 88,268 CASH AND BANK BALLNCES 38,149 BaTilays Currcnl Account Barclays Savin8s Account Cash in Fiand I S.449 2n.n14 38.149 35,463 1.520 38 Barlcays CutTenl account Ca￿) in Hand 1.157 23 1,180 1.558 39,707 Total F#nd5 36,643 Signed . JuJ2 Ssgned ................. ........................... ...................... D3te Trè3JtorÈr OIiIAC>I OF CHRIST. 5CtENnST JEDFORD INCOME FOA YEAR ENOEO 31 OECEMBER 2022 6tNEIIAL FIJIID IPAGE IOF 11 1021 2022 CoM•rtlons Chuith and5undays(hoolcoifettk)r Small Donalion SchefflelGASDSI Gift Aid (GI donations {(d￿diOn erNelopES Of direct to bon* Income T￿6￿￿ Akl Refund (Nots i) 1,265.11) 9.510.iKI 7.610 13.616 Trt•l GIftAklfrom SOScdltrtSoM. GA dtsn*loTrs 10,474 iio.LbJ 145.cpj The Ald Fund Ha¥rthorneTruA I(harton Manor) MountIèr￿ Trust ILlmeTree Mousel CS Prlns c￿￿11￿$. Cornmittme CSMoiherChLwth Bosion U 30 225. 259.C 65 939 l>onailm5 & Coll•cllon5 •1 M••tlry t•rJbty•ip•dll•d N•n-G￿￿ Aid Oomtions Refund trorn E-on overcharge on Eltrtrlctty blll Parkin8 CSGrnnis s￿.¢1) lo.co 13.5$6.00 13,240 23,566 24.549 Tran5ferioPeserye-B4￿￿ S*vinaSAtco￿ni Interesr f¢e(ei%Yd Total TraThsltrto R￿eryt¥￿0d 20.000 CK) 14.CQ 20,014 Ja.191 44,563 Ntxes". 111 Gift Aidtsx relufid lor 2021-2022 T•x Year hès not beenclaim•d y•t PaRe2 FIRSTCHUftCH OF OIR151. SaElI￿BEDFoAD EXPEfiDtTUIt FOA YEARtI4YEDJI DECEMURIOZZ 2021 GENERALFLIND Ip•4e201 Zl 2022 72 isihglweby￿> Audtl. le￿ & Profwional Care (ksbjrs￿nts 358 1.361 510 539 400 600 420 aeanerlneii Committeeon SWtsi•)n wora* (Note 31 tK)nsfrc¢Dcollecth)risll*Jte41 rknaiionsfrc¥mchurch Don*ion tok4nt CS Reath¥%oam Electricity GafdEner 1085 817 2465 665 127 1.238 PAYETa¥l NDtèsi Insurance 1230 120 144 398 ICSRH Internel Nv•Webytt Int*rnei2oom artnu31 ¢hai8e 1ntErneiseTh￿e Pr(ryKler-Zen tion lor L¢rtur*elsewhere Letture Fees Publlclfv chars•5 Wr*shmehtsandTRi• F¥e 144 272 1.330 464 114 11179 M•lnE•nanu & R•p•lv5 S•lÈty & Seturttyl(P4JbbSec¥rftyl MonitoriniCTxk aloBen Tubes •ndGhJbe5 WIDdcw UeaThln8 Tot31 M4int¢nart¢ & Repal 850 16 16 14 14 Postsp Pikn¥r*&5taii¢yiery R•4dlw RoomC4)5ts Ichwthl auarterle5 etc Jwmil C¥d 474 431 163 721 337 Total General Fund Tran5fersto Re*diw Rc•m 1.558 41.415 As per Altxhed 01 41,415 lotal Refurkn"shment wsts irtwr oi 353 343 127 kndrie5.A5wattacW%Wvlt lelephor Warer Capltal Expenditwe C￿r$and Proiettor 49) 282 174 823 1,014 27248 20m) 20MI 47.W Transler¢o 80ff1￿%¥1n8SAcrQt*rt 49.972 11,7BI 34.431 22.650 £xce55 It)21Kitlof I￿orne ￿ ex￿￿rture OpeDin8 Balance 8rou8hi Fww¥d O•larKe 22,650 19,951 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 RESERVE FUND 2021 2022 INCOME Barclays Savings Account Interest on Savings Acccount Total Income 20,Cx 14 20.014 EXPENDITURE Transfer to General Fund Total expenditure Excess Ideficitl of income over expenditure Opening balance brou8ht forward UoslD8 balance cJfrfed forward 20.014 FIRST CHURCH OF CIIRIST. SQENTIST BEDFORO 114COME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 310ECEMBER 2022 Rfr'.KDI)C. ROOII.ICCOI'%I' 2021 2022 INCOIAE Ineomè from sal•$: Audio materials Books Penodicals r￿Ua￿l9 Quartedies Goods a miscellaneous Total ￿1¢$ 25 rj) 274.10 1,128.(M) 8230 1,412.00 1,494.30 1.433.10 Donabon3 Overpaymenl to UKORR ￿1mbUl$•d Postsge from sa￿5 reimbjrsed Totsl non4•1• r•c•lpt• 10.00 10.40 30.40 It¢m• pald lor from Church fund8: Reaflers s$uppl￿$. ¢h81k6 Grft subscription6 to perx*J Joumal card JSH Onlintr for Readuig Room112 months) Quarterlies Books for Sund8y Scho Shipping lor SS Books Textbook Dona(th)s to HMP WoodhlN Ch8P Posl8g• ol lexlbook Tot•1 pAld from Chur¢h lund• 233.51 430.69 165.29 389.68 247.41 499.63 273.39 360.12 16S.80 11.70 3.85 1,234.72 1,$67.6S 2,729.02 Total Incom• 3 011.16 EXPENDITURE CS Publl•hlng Soclety Journal card JSH Online for Reading Room112 mth$l Per*xticals Including Quartewlies Gfft subs lo HMP Woodhill and Univ Beds Totsi cs Publl•hlng S¢xl•ty 430,69 9165 1,511.74 162.89 499.63 272.87 1.794.06 247.41 2.196.76 2,813.n Non£SPS •xp•ndltur• Purchase•. UKORRlincluding 8hlppi9£261 Sundfie$'. delailed per attached page 375.80 199 60 Total non4SPS 575.20 2 196.76 Total Expondltur• 3.388.97 532.26 Éxcess Idefiatl of expendrture over incthne 1,025.85 Op8ning balance brought forvrdrd 1,558.11 Closing baknce carried I0￿8rd 377.82 1,558.11 1,180.29 Notes.. Value of the $lo¢k181 ¢0stl on 31 Deceml)ef 2022 £2569.19 Bank balance on 1 January 2022 £1520.06 Bank Balance on 31 D0￿Mber 2022 £1156.74 Cash on hand on 31 Decemb•r 2022 £23.55 Th•rtrfore totsl funds at 1.1.2023 È1156.74 ￿23.$5 z £1180.29 FIRST CHURCH OF CHRisf, SClENnsT BEDFORD SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 GROSS INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2021 2022 Income 38,191 Expend¢ture 49,972 Income Expenditure 47,249 Gèneral Fund Re5er¥e Fund Readin8 Room 24.549 20.LXXI 3.011 47,560 2,729 40,920 2.197 52.169 3.389 SO,638 11.249 EX￿$$ (d￿￿¢) of Expendtturè (>ver Intom• 3.078 INCOME AND EXPENDITUAE 14ET OF TRANSFERS 8ETWEEN FUNOS 2.022 2022 Income 38,191 Expend5ture 49,972 Income Expendtture 47,249 General Fund fteseThe Fund Reading Rc¥)m 24.549 20.IX 3.011 47,560 2.729 40,920 2.197 S2,169 3.389 50.638 11.249 Excess Iddcltl of Exp•ndttur••%w Iwon 3.078 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 50,956 11,249 Total Fund$ 8lf l January Exce55 Ioeficitl of Income 04tr Expenditure 39.707 3.078 39.707 36.629 FIRST CHUACH OF GHltHr. SCIENTIST ÈEDFOFiO BALpJ•GE SMEFf ￿lD *35eYs AS AT 31￿ OEGÉMFER PrrilsA￿T lll ¢WL ]4.322 21.1&5 21.14$ 3.5118 (hi*il zlL Co4E 4*05S Tot•1 •{ Tr￿ed 647.646 39.711 a$7J5Y )&i*J CJenr￿ 35A63 JR,149 1.55g Tètal 8#, 7S3 F<*Tr¢Fs F￿ttl J 2,479 CI