Witham Baptist Church
Serving Christ and Our Community
Trustees Annual Report 2024-2025
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 9 members as we had the privilege of welcoming 4 new members. We have also been greatly encouraged that the regular weekly congregation continues growing numerically.
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, but one is planned, our first in 15 years, during April 2025
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 2024 to March 2025 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.
We joined our friends at Maldon Baptist Church for a Christmas Service and held a Carols by Candlelight Service on Sunday 15[th] December 2024 at the Royal British Legion Hall at which an offering was taken for Farleigh Hospice.
Our Pastor continues as Honorary Chaplain to the Royal Air Forces Association and serves the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (Air Training Corps) as Essex Wing Chaplain and Chaplain 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Squadron.
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 29[th] September 2024 and the produce donated to the Witham Food Bank and monetary offering to Mill Grove Centre, South Woodford, a Christian charity working with children and deprived families in South Woodford.
Special Services
The Church celebrated its 27[th] Anniversary on Sunday 3[rd] December 2024.
The Annual Carols by Candlelight Service was on Sunday 15[th] December 2024. 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.
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Revd Michael R Child Pastor and Chairman of the Trustees
WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2025
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 Millgrove L & E Message Data Protection D & A Boyle P C Help Farleigh Hospice CCL Licence Insurance The Leprosy Mission Website Costs Purchase of Bibles Transfer Building Fund Sundry Expenses Total Payments Net Receipts/(Payments) for the Year Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2024 Cash and Bank balances at 31 March 2025 |
£ 23922 2565 100 - 35 - 170 171 402 27365 - 88 27453 32803 2910 18097 3113 428 24548 324 40 28 35 2565 40 - 72 170 148 445 100 - 216 - 410 29141 |
£ 3662 4415 8077 |
2024 21481 2390 97 - 75 - 160 174 - - - 24377 28710 1970 17578 2933 477 22958 324 - 26 - 2390 40 - 53 160 98 428 80 - - - 312 3911 26869 1841 2574 4415 |
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WITHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2025 Receipts and Payments Account (Building Fund)
| Income Receipts Donations In Memory Of Other Sundry Sundry 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 2024 Building Fund Balance at 31 March 2025 |
£ 260 50 - - 310 16 6596 6922 - - 6922 |
£ - - 147592 154514 |
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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 2025.
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
13 November 2025
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.