Section D Achievements and performance TAR March 2012
| The church resumed meetings in person in late August and some of its original |
|---|
| programme ofactivities adhering to all restrictions in order to advance the |
| Christian Faith for the benefit of the public once the Covid-19 pandemic restriction |
| were lifted. The church continued to meet together virtually on a Sunday evening |
| for a few months in 2021 as many members took time to return to meetings in |
| person, during the periods of lock down new members joined, which included |
| some with a church background and others with no or limited previous experience |
| ofchurch. The responses during our meetings from the worship times and |
| preaching have been positive. We successfully began hosting bi-monthly church |
| lunches after our Sunday service, these provide interaction with others helping |
| those who may be lonely, also the food helps those who are vulnerable and links |
| to relief of poverty. |
| The charity continued its membership ofthe "Mission Life Grace" network of |
| churches, which currently consists offive core churches, together with a number |
| ofassociate churches. During the July and August, we were able to resume our |
| summer outdoor activities including boys camp girls house party and our annual |
| churches summer conference in August after the all activities were cancelled in |
| 2020. |
| The church continued virtual meetings on a Sunday using Zoom into the new year |
| with new challenges as the pandemic continue to cause loneliness all across our |
| communities. The leadership felt that itwas important for people to be able to |
| interact and talk with some one and so we agreed to employ 2 part time |
| community workers, whose roles were to contact and meet where possible with |
| those in need of emotional support. |
| We continued for the weeks of lockdown a number of "daily devotionals" via |
| Zoom, first thing in the morning. They proved very popular in the short-term and |
| gave people a sense of community and a good platform to keep in touch and |
| check how everyone was coping with lockdown. In the absence of being able to |
| run home groups, after the "Freedom in Christ" course was run virtually via Zoom |
| in 2020 we continued with running the Alpha Course in 2021 which had a very |
| positive response from the local community |
| The kids' work within River Church has continued to grow and prosper; the |
| groups expand the children's education by teaching them about the Christian |
| faith. Once lockdown started kids' work switched to an all-age "Family church" |
| service on Zoom which was well received and enjoyed by many, including |
| families from other churches within the MLG network. As part ofthe kids' work a |
| series of fun challenges were set for families and social gatherings were also |
| organised over zoom for the older children's group, including a Minecraft club. |
| The youth work for teenagers and young adults has continued to develop; this |
| provides a positive social environment for young people and helps build |
| confidence. Zoom bible studies and socials have run every week and we are |
| thankful for the leaders who faithfully served throughout the pandemic. |
| When some ofthe rules were relaxed in the summer months some groups of6 |
| were set up to be able to watch zoom church together in different homes. The |
| church also hired another church building for a few live worship and prayer |
| nights. Throughout the year we ran a number of online social evenings including |
| quiz nights, crafts and Christmas baking. |
| The church finances increased over the year. This was due to an increase in |
| giving from new and existing members, for which we are thankful, but also due to |
| our decreased expenditure during the pandemic. We continued to provide some |
| support to our former pastor, who is serving at an associated church in Worthing |
| and continues to provide some oversight for our leaders. |
| The stable financial position enabled the charity to propose employing two |
| Community workers, who we hoped to start their new roles in September 2020 |
| but this was delayed due to the pandemic but they started working in January |
| 2021. |
| The church support financially local people to alleviate poverty, together with |
| providing support for missionaries overseas. The church also arranged a hamper |
| for a homeless shelter, and Christmas gifts for an orphanage. |