Witham Baptist Church
Serving Christ and Our Community
Trustees Annual Report 2023~2024
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. Although the membership has remained static, we are pleased to report and greatly encouraged that the regular weekly congregation has grown by three families and others.
The Diaconate
The Church is served by a Diaconate of two: Ann Coleman and 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 2023 to March 2024 the Church gave a donation to the Leprosy Mission. The Harvest Thanksgiving produce and products were given to the Witham Food Bank and monetary donations to 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 mid-week Prayer Meetings each Wednesday via Zoom.
Others join our Sunday Services and Mid-week Meetings via Zoom.
Our Pastor continues as Honorary Chaplain to the Royal Air Forces Association and Royal Air Force Air Cadets (Air Training Corps).
We joined our friends at Maldon Baptist Church for a Christmas Services throughout December and held a Carols by Candlelight Service on Sunday 17[th] December 2023 at the Royal British Legion Hall at which an offering was taken for Farleigh Hospice.
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. There were less United activities, but we participated in the open-air Witham Town carol Service.
Harvest
Harvest Thanksgiving was held on Sunday 24[th] September 2023 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 26[th] Anniversary on Sunday 3[rd] December 2023.
The Annual Carols by Candlelight Service was on Sunday 17[th] December 2023 and an offering was taken for the Farleigh Hospice. A short Family Service was also held on Christmas Day.
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.
.
Revd Michael R Child
Pastor and Chairman of the Trustees
WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2024
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 Receipts/(Payments) for the Year Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2023 Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2024 |
£ 21481 2390 97 - 75 - 160 174 - 1970 17578 2933 477 |
£ 24377 - - 24377 4333 28710 22958 324 - 26 - - 2390 40 - 53 160 98 428 80 - - - 312 26869 1841 2574 4415 |
2023 18067 2145 80 200 95 90 110 80 - - 4 20871 4198 25069 1700 17752 2838 745 23035 312 55 24 65 95 2145 40 200 53 110 92 401 80 - - - 262 3934 26969 (1900) 4474 2574 |
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WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2024 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 2023 Building Fund Balance at 31 March 2024 |
£ 100 - - - |
£ 100 - 27 - 2717 2844 - - 2844 144748 147592 |
2023 50 - - - 50 - 30 - 604 684 - - 684 144064 144748 |
|---|---|---|---|
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 2024.
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
-
.
-
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
2 October 2024
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.