Witham Baptist Church Serving Christ and Our Community
Trustees Annual Report 2022~2023
Trustees
The Church currently has three Trustees: Rev’d. Michael R Child (Chairman); Mrs Ann M Coleman (Secretary); Philip J West (Treasurer). The Trustees met once during the year.
Membership
As at end of March we had 5 members.
The Diaconate
The Church is served by a diaconate of two: Ann Coleman, Philip West.
Baptismal Service
There were no Believers’ Baptisms during the year.
Giving
Members and Friends are still giving sacrificially and generously to the work of the Church. The Building Fund is continuing to grow.
The Church supports the ministry of Leslie and Elizabeth Message (Belgium), we were delighted that they join us for Sunday services and Wednesday prayer meetings via Zoom.
During the period April 2022 to March 2023 the Church gave a donation to the Baptist Missionary Society’s Ukraine appeal, the Leprosy Mission and the Harvest Thanksgiving monetary offering was divided between the Witham Food Bank and the Mill Grove Centre, South Woodford. The Church also donated shoe boxes this year for the Samaritan’s Purse “Operational Christmas Child” appeal. The Carols by Candlelight Service offering was given to Farleigh Hospice.
Services and Auxiliaries
We held weekly Sunday Services for Worship, Prayer and Preaching at the Royal British Legion Hall and also held mid week prayer meetings on a Wednesday via Zoom. A service of Reflection and Thanks Giving for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held on Sunday 11[th] September.
Our Pastor continues as Honorary Chaplain to the Royal Air Forces Association and Royal Air Force Air Cadets (Air Training Corps).
Church Premises
The Trustees are still actively seeking a suitable site or premises for Sunday Services and to develop the Church’s ministry.
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Witham Baptist Church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Eastern Baptist Association
Witham Baptist Church is also affiliated to the Eastern Baptist Association.
Churches Together in Witham and District
We continue to be part of Churches Together in Witham and District.
Harvest
Harvest Thanksgiving was held on Sunday 25[th] September 2022 the monetary offering was divided between the Witham Food Bank and the Mill Grove Centre , South Woodford, a Christian charity working with children and deprived families in Woodford.
Special Services
The Church celebrated its 25[th] Anniversary on Sunday 4[th] December 2022.
We joined our friends at Maldon Baptist Church for a Carol Service on Sunday 18[th] December 2022.
The Annual Carols Service this year took place via Zoom on Sunday 18[th] December 2022 and the offering sent to the Farleigh Hospice.
We are thankful to God for His loving faithfulness to us throughout a difficult and challenging year and for providing for our needs and we trust Him for all that is to come as we seek further ways of serving our community.
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Revd Michael R Child Pastor and Chairman of the Trustees
WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2023
Receipts and Payments Account (General Purposes Fund)
| Income Receipts Donations Weekly Offerings L & E Message Leprosy Mission D & A Boyle Millgrove BRE Ukraine Farleigh Hospice Preacher’s Fees Gifted Back Other Trading Activities Subscriptions and Tuck Sales Investment Income Bank and Building Society Interest Income Tax Rebate Total Receipts Direct Charitable Expenditure Hire of Premises Minister's Stipend and NI Minister's Council Tax Preacher's Expenses Other Expenditure Advertising Churches Together in Witham Baptist Union Subscription Donations Millgrove L & E Message Data Protection D & A Boyle P C Help Farleigh Hospice CCL Licence Insurance The Leprosy Mission Website Costs Stationery Transfer Building Fund Sundry Expenses Total Payments Net (Payments)/Receipts for the Year Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2022 Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2023 |
£ 18067 2145 80 200 95 90 110 80 - 1700 17752 2838 745 |
£ 20867 - 4 20871 4198 25069 23035 312 55 24 65 95 2145 40 200 53 110 92 401 80 - - - 262 26969 (1900) 4474 2574 |
2022 18427 1525 - 1850 65 - 75 - 115 - - 22057 4418 26475 1013 18087 2725 510 22335 312 - 24 65 65 1525 40 1850 - 75 127 396 - - - - 265 4744 27079 (604) 5078 4474 |
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WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2023 Receipts and Payments Account (Building Fund)
| Income Receipts Donations In Memory Of Other Sundry Tax Reclaimed on Covenants and Gift Aid Trading Activities Buy a Brick Knitting Sundry Sales Investment Income Bank and Building Society Interest Total Receipts Other Expenditure Total Payments Net Receipts for the Year Building Fund Balance at 31 March 2022 Building Fund Balance at 31 March 2023 |
£ 50 - - - |
£ 50 - 30 - 604 684 - - 684 144064 144748 |
2022 250 - - - 250 - 21 - 914 1185 - - 1185 142879 144064 |
|---|---|---|---|
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Witham Baptist Church
We report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
.
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
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. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
RONALD W CHIVERS & CO ACCOUNTANTS
61 Manor Street Braintree Essex CM7 3HP
10 October 2023
Ronald W Chivers & Co is the trading name of Ronald W Chivers & Co Ltd, company no. 11919594 registered in England and Wales, registered office address as above.