## Elders Report 2024 This year, we have again continued to navigate the leadership of the church whilst remaining in interregnum. It has also been a year where the leadership team structure has been more settled. The leadership team comprises the following: Diaconate… Dave Evans, Chrissie Brown, and Lynn Salt Eldership… Maggie Pickering, Marinella Heath, Kevin Watson, and Graham Hayes. The leadership has also included Sharon Cross (Minister in Training) who has been chairing across both the Diaconate and Eldership. We continue to be thankful and appreciative of the many people within the church family who take on leadership responsibility across the many ministry areas of the church. We are also thankful for all who commit their time and resources supporting those in leadership. ## **Minister in Training** Sharon has successfully completed her second of academic study at Spurgeon’s. Sharon is continuing her ministry formation training through HEBA whilst drafting her dissertation, the final element of her academic study. Please continue to pray for Sharon as her studies draw to a close and she seeks God’s guidance as she enters the settlement process. For further information and an update regarding Sharon’s progress please see the separate Minister in Training report. ## **Baptisms** We have been privileged and encouraged by a number of baptismal services throughout the year. Again, we have been blessed to see both young people and adults taking this next step in their faith journey. Let’s continue to pray that more will chose to go through the waters of baptism in the coming year. ## **Preaching and Teaching** We have been blessed as a church throughout the last 12 months by a network of external speakers who have supported us on a Sunday morning at MRBC. We have been equally blessed by the number of people within the fellowship who continue to step forward preaching and teaching on a Sunday morning, and at Thursday Worship. Thursday Worship continues to be a thriving ministry under the leadership and guidance of Sharon (Minister in Training) who is supported by Maggie. 1 ## **House Groups** Earlier this year Kathy Green stepped away from the role of house group co-ordinator after many years of faithful service. The role of co-ordinator is now with Marinella. We have been blessed by the recent formation of two additional house groups. One group meeting in the home of Pete and Penny, and other to meet out of MRBC once it comes into fruition. There are currently 5 house groups across the city. This will hopefully become 6 once the daytime group is established. Each house group gathers fortnightly for fellowship, teaching, fun, and hospitality. ## **Prayer and Pastoral Care** Prayer and Pastoral care continue to be co-ordinated by Marinella, who in turn is supported by a small and dedicated team of volunteers. ## **Children and Youth Ministry** Caroline Atkinson continues to co-ordinate the Children’s and Youth Ministry streams across the church. As a church we are blessed to have both a good number of children, and young people. The groups meet on Sundays and throughout the week. Each of the groups are ably served by a large team of volunteers. We are privileged too, that some of the volunteers are made up of young people that have come through the children and youth ministry stream. Sunday Groups: Trogs Connect Weekday Groups: Oaks and Acorns JAM Cell Bulletproof Messy Church (half termly gathering linked with Café Church) ## **Families Worker** This vacancy continues to remain open as no decision has been made regarding the role. ## **New Minister** We continue to be involved in the settlement process. In the early stages of 2024 we had two expressions of interest in the minster role, however, it was agreed that we would not pursue either beyond the initial expression of interest. 2 Moving forward consideration is to be given to: - Moving beyond the BU settlement process - Part time minister role Whilst considering the above we will continue to engage in the settlement process. The seeker team will undergo membership changes in the latter stages of 2024, and the early stages of 2025 as Chrissie and Graham step away from their leadership team roles. What we do know at this stage is that Kevin will replace Graham, though the person replacing Chrissie is yet to be decided. The church profile is in the final stages of being updated to reflect the current position of the church. Once updated the profile will be circulated. ## **The Manse** The Manse continues to be used as a family home for a displaced Ukrainian family. This is likely continue for the foreseeable. MRBC Eldership November 2024 3 ## **Deacons’ Report - AGM 2024** ## **Portacabin** The removal of the Portacabin in May has enabled the space by the proposed allotment/garden to be cleared ready for development. ## **Rainbow Room** In September 2024 the church received an anonymous donation of £21,000 to be used for the renovation of the Rainbow Room. A special church meeting was called and the church members agreed for the work to go ahead. Newdigate builders have completed within budget the installation of a kitchenette, plumbing connections brought through from the Ladies toilets, wall heaters have been replaced, low level ceiling installed with new lighting. The windows to the back wall of the oIice have been removed, and the partition wall has been soundproofed. The new room is now ready to be decorated by volunteers. New tables, chairs and crockery are in the process of being priced. ## **Church O2ice** Due to the work on the oIice wall, Vanessa moved temporarily into the minister’s oIice. A new desk and oIice chair has been purchased, and pedestal drawers have been donated by WEC. The carpet and window blinds are also being replaced. The decorating of the oIice is taking priority so that the new administrator can move back in soonest. ## **Fencing** Low fencing has been gifted to the church, this will be installed to separate the children's grassed play area from carpark. A quote of £1,320 for its installation was mentioned at the last meeting. ## **The Old Hall** The nearest wall has been painted and the wide-screen TV moved from the JR room has been installed by Mark, along with new speakers and stronger wifi. Members are asked to follow the instructions beside the remote control. ## **Church Cleaner role** After the resignation of Cheryl in January our new cleaner Carol Bodsworth was appointed in June 2024, and has settled in very well. She works on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. ## **Other ongoing maintenance etc** - The deacons thank all those who have helped us with the work-days, particularly when the portacabin was emptied and the furniture in the JR room was swapped and cleaned. - Woodworm damage found in the Garlick hall has been treated and repaired. Further work may be needed in the Old Hall. - The fence-mounted sign on the corner of Tennyson road is being repaired and repainted. - The freezer in the kitchen has been replaced. - New non-slip mats are being purchased for the soft-play cushions used by Oaks & Acorns and Messy Church, enabling them to be used in the Garlick Hall as well. - New Hannah Dunnett artwork is being purchased for the prayer room. - The baptistry equipment is now being stored in the back toilet of the Old Hall. - and barriers have been purchased to make the baptistry as safe as possible whilst the baptistry is open. - New safety equipment for the storage of chairs and tables have also been purchased for use in the Old Hall and Garlick Room. Lynn Salt, Dave Evans, Chrissie Brown 26 November 2024 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts S•clion A Independent Examlner's Report Report to the trustees C4kJPcEI On a¢¢ounts for Ihe year ended Charlty no (If any) SGPT Eol Iizq Ikql Set out on pages I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of th8 above charity {"the Tnjst.) for the year ended I I MM I YYYY. Responslbi1Sties and basis of report As the charity's Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515}Ib) of the Act. Independent ￿he charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to examinevs statement undertake the examination by belng a qualified member of [Insert name of applicable listed bodyll. Del8te l J if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confim) that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below ') which gives me Cause lo believe that in, any material respect". the accounting records were not kept in accordance wlth section 130 of the Charities Act.. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an ind8pendent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attenb'on should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Please delele the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgnod: Date: Nam•: Ral•vant professional quallflcatlon(s) or body IER O¢t 2018 (If any}: Address: f LThJhJVsoNJ Section B Dlsclosuro Only complele il the Èxaminer needs lo highlight malerial mallers of conc8rn (see CC32, Independent examinallon of charity accounts.. direclions and guidance for examlnèrs}. Give hern brlef detalls of any Items that the examlnerwishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR I NGLAND AND W ALLS IITg4 97 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the pèrlod from To Section A Receipts and payments Unrèstrlcted lundB to tho no•reBt Restricted funds Endowment lunds Total fund8 Last yoar to th• n¢aresi É to th• n•aw¢£ to th• n•4r••t £ toth• n••¢Mt £ A1 Recelpts 17tp 2£ Sub total (Gross income lor AR) 99 £0%. 121717 11¥19b A2 Asset and 5nve8tment $al¢s. Ist• table). Sub total rotal receipts 11 IL7 A3 Pa ments i R*ifLL ie L)ILDI bz qc l oi Sub total q92. A4 Asset and investment urchases, lsee tsblel Sub total Total payments 073. Not ol ro¢0ipts/{paym8nts) AS Transfers between lund* A6 Cash fund8 la$t year end Cash lunds th1$ year end sis LIILtr tLtr CCXX R18ccounts ISSI 091W2025 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period unrestricted fundg Restricted fundg to n•irg41 £ Endowfflent funds to n•¥rut £ Categories Detalls lo noar•st £ B1 Cash funds 4£ 52 $97 23 2vS Total ¢ash funds 10 1 04-9 IS 2Lfr Ec￿rt￿lI Unrestricted fund8 to neartyst E R•8trl¢t8d lund$ to n•Ar4st É Endowm•nl funds to n•awo•t£ Detalls Fund to whlch aJs¥t b•lon ¢utt•nt valu• Details C￿l ioptlon•ll 83 Inv•stment assets Fund to whi¢h asset bglon Ctsrr•nt valu• tlonal Detslls B4 Assots rètalrb•d for tho charity's own us• Fund to which Amount du• Wh•n du• ort•l Detsll$ B5 Llabllltlos Sun8d by one or trusle¢s on half ofall Ihe truslees Date of roval Slgn8tur6 Print Name EVAN£ &IZoP4JI CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 081061202S DITH BAP CH VE vi AR to 20 ACTUAL ACTUAL ACTUAL 2020121 2021122 202212) -94,765 .90,923 -102.598 Income 8UMMAR Y ACTUAL 2023124 -99.208 41,221 27.706 23,972 5,743 7,799 11.480 9,170 86,150 74.052 -8,615 -16.871 5.01)0 5,000 -3.615 22.934 Mlnlsler & PT Workor 33.321 Bvlldlngs and Grounds 8.738 Generbl expen8eg 9.335WldeF Work 74.326 TOTAL expendrfure -28.270 Surplu$i-IlDel¢rfi+l S.(M)O ￿lO¢S110n 10 Bullding Fund 21,380 35,567 9,513 8,880 75,340 -23,668 5.000 -16.8fj0 •nl olAsJots & Ll t 30th So b•r2 24 OPENING BALANCE 01110123 +pald In ¢LOSIIIG PIET Tr•n•l•Fs BALA14CÉ,AIOVEhlENY JOIQW24 OF FUFIOS Mc mo¥•m•nl - pald out RE ICTED F ND RESERVES G General Ac¢ouni 2023-24 Ilding Fund Ajlocallon 79,950 99.208 -75.340 -5,000 98,818 18.866 ILOIII 7,964 Budget Tr8nsfer BU1￿1￿ Fund Floor Sandin9- R81nbow Ro(vn Trees & GifyJrvJ5 JR Flat Roof PortacabiD Removal C￿￿bS Shed 8 Eqviweni YOTAL VNRESTRICTED FUt40S 5.000 -1.850 -1.OOD -1,600 4,283 -2,000 -86,073 2.23t 101,049 -5.733 13,135 67.914 99.208 RE TRICTED FUND AMILY FUND GARDE14 ROOM F LADIE CONCERTS 1.338A 21.000 -1.750 1,234 21,000 J33 212 82 387 23.241 124.297 412 21.000 ND 333 212 EAR lund Caffl was Soul Survlvo TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL ALL FUNDS 181C N 62 -70 20.600 33,73 457 2,648 22,519 90,562 121,727 -70 -1,919 47,992 Bilanco at Ban* on Jolh So ternb•r 2024 HSBC balan¢£ as ai 301h Sepiembei 2024 ADD Payment ill Advance I In5ufanGel LESS Income In Advance Room Htre ADO UnBanked Income Isepl 51130781 10.467 3.088 -275 142 LESS un¢Kesenl•J cheq￿$ & 8ACS & PAYE -234x 13.188 54,860 52.597 31384961 HS8CIMoney Maryerl 8apbsl Union Dep05il Attouni To Eslimaleo Debtors GIFT WD lJuly-Sepl Room Hire Isepi TOTAL accounts aThJ $18lemenl of asset$ and Ilatsliues reiaiiny 10 me year e￿ing 30th September 2024 set Dui ab ve been wa ared by Ihe Treasurer as aulhoiised bylhe Otracons. Mlke 8all (Tieasurerl Date In 8ccord8nce W￿1h the pi 1510ns of seclion 43 of the charilles A 99 , I have examined the recalpts and Pa￿￿0n11 account Stslemenl ol asse15 and IlalAlilies of Merediih Road 8aplisl church $01 out above relalirKJ 10 Ihe ￿ar erwJin9 301th Sepiembtr 2024 This exèmlnèiion did noi 10 a compiehensi¥e a￿11 of su¢Th accwnls or siaiemeThl I confirm Ihal the accounts and slalemenl accord with Ihe accounting re¢oid3 01 ihE church and Ihai such iecwds sausfy IhE fequiTements of the Acl l am nol aware vl any matter lo thlch aiienuon needs lo be drawn In or¢Jer lo obtain pioper LWh0er$ts￿Ir￿ ol the 8cc4unl$. 51gned 2f Penny Ivers, 118 Tennyson Road Coventry CV2 5JA MEREDITH ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH 2020121 2021122 2022123 DESCRIPTION 2023124 INCOME 42,825 42,346 48,946 GiftAid -12,127 -11,725 -14,776 Tax reclaimed -8,131 Furlough Grant -22,166 -23.958 -24,789 Non-Gift Aid offering -9,516 -12,894 -13,141 Room hlre & Organisalional conlribullons -946 interest -94.76S -90,923 -102,598 1 47.032 2 -14.193 3 -28.760 4,712 -2,511 -99,208 PAYMENTS Minister & PT Worker 40,535 29,524 14,753 Salaries. NIC & Superannuation 686 3.587 8.181 Travel, training & Guest Speaker5 41 221 33 111 22 934 15,816 5,564 21380 Buildin and Grounds 15,C61 12,473 17,004 Admin & Cleaners wages lincl NIC & Pen.) 9 17.338 2,330 2.383 2,618 Insurance 10 2.740 2.630 2,913 3,105 Manse173 Longfellow Road) 12 2.879 2,072 1,449 4,852 Premises & Grounds malntenance & repairs 13 7.250 4,763 3,891 4.586 Eleelricity 14 4.370 850 863 1.156 Gas 990 27.706 23.972 33,321 35.567 General ex 4,732 General expenses 2,490 Annual subscripb.ons & payments 175 Furniture & Equipment 907 Photocopier 434 Youth Work. GB, Junior Church, etc 8,738 ense5 2,525 1.934 222 759 303 5,743 3,988 1.893 451 699 768 7.799 16 17 18 19 20 4.796 2,001 1,289 815 612 9.513 Wider Work 1.680 1,680 Baptist Missionary Society 1.680 1.680 Heart of England IBU Home Miss10nl 960 960 Coventy City Mission 1.680 1.680 Heartlink (Les Wadel 480 480 Ann Baker ICCII 160 Sl Andrews Home for the Elderly 1.440 240 KIDSCLU8 480 480 480 Prayer House 720 720 720 Christs'ans Against Povety ICAPI 720 720 720 THRIVE Youth Ne￿tsrk 480 480 360 WEC 1.000 50 575 Other Wider work 11.480 9.170 9.335 86 150 74.052 74 328 -8615 -16871 -28270 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,61 -11,871 -23.270 1,680 1,680 960 1,680 480 1,680 1.680 960 1,680 480 480 720 720 480 9.0% 8880 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 75 340 NET SURPLUSI_I T868 Building Fund 5000 Surplus -18.868