Wealdstone Baptist Church Annual Report April 2020 – March 2021
Document control information Compiled by Rose Finlow Christiane Rohrmueller Contributors Chris Coyston Paula Skinner Carolynne Webber Ian Webber Martin Whaley Tracy Whaley Reviewed by WBC Leadership Team WBC Church Members Edited by Ian Webber Christiane Rohrmueller 0.1 Starting to edit 0.2 Initial Draft for review by WBC Leadership Team 0.22 Edits following the initial draft 1.0 For distribution to the members meeting 1.1 Edit after members meeting
WBC Annual Report 2020-21 1.1
Contents Contents .................................................................................................................................... ii Statutory Information ................................................................................................................. 1 Senior Minister’s Review of the Year ......................................................................................... 2 COVID-19 .................................................................................................................................. 3 Organisational Structure and Decision-making Processes ........................................................ 4 Structure, Governance and Management ............................................................................... 4 WBC Mission Statement ............................................................................................................ 5 Achievements and Performance ................................................................................................ 5 Summary of Objectives and Activities ........................................................................................ 6 Further Details of Activities ........................................................................................................ 7 Pastoral Team......................................................................................................................... 7 Youth and Children’s Work ..................................................................................................... 7 Sunday Children’s and Youth Programme Overview ........................................................... 7 Crèche - Kindles .................................................................................................................. 7 WBC KIDS .......................................................................................................................... 8 Youth Work .......................................................................................................................... 9 Youth Camps/One-off Events .............................................................................................. 9 Parent and Toddlers Group................................................................................................... 10 Messy Church....................................................................................................................... 10 Prayer and Prayer Ministry ................................................................................................... 10 Small Groups ........................................................................................................................ 10 CoffeePlus ............................................................................................................................ 11 Christmas, Easter and other Festivals .................................................................................. 11 Sunday Teaching Programme .............................................................................................. 11 Sunday Services................................................................................................................... 11 Wider Mission and Evangelism............................................................................................. 12 Foodbank ............................................................................................................................. 12 Food Share ........................................................................................................................... 12 Street Pastors ....................................................................................................................... 12 Financial Review ...................................................................................................................... 13 Church Leadership and Staff ................................................................................................... 14
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Statutory Information
Wealdstone Baptist Church (WBC)
Registered Charity number 1132143
The principal office of Wealdstone Baptist Church is:
High Street Wealdstone Harrow HA3 5DL
Trustees
Revd Martin Whaley (Senior Minister; Chairman of Trustees) Mr Chris Coyston (Youth and Children’s Minister) Mrs Rosemary Finlow (Church Secretary from January 2021) Mr Tim Hainsworth (Elder)
Mr Mauricio Lopez Aguirre (Deacon) Mrs Alison Paterson (Deacon from January 2021) Miss Imogene Smith (Deacon) Mr Keith Smith (Elder) Ms Lynn Twelvetrees (Deacon) Mrs Carolynne Webber (Deacon until December 2020) Mr Ian Webber (Treasurer until December 2020) Ms Jane Zalwango (Elder)
Charity Correspondent
Mrs Rosemary Finlow
Property Trustees
London Baptist Property Board
Bankers
Santander Bank
London Baptist Property Board
Finance Manager Mr Chris Axtell
Independent Examiner
Mrs Stephanie Wright
Senior Minister’s Review of the Year
This last year has presented challenges that, the previous year, would have sounded like something from a film script. A global pandemic leading to many deaths, and even more requiring hospitalisation, a series of lockdowns and social distancing measures resulting in the church building being closed for several months and, when the congregation are allowed back in, a continuing ban on sung worship! But the church always finds a way to keep going, turning to the new technologies of the internet and the old technologies of the phone and letter writing. It has been a steep learning curve but we have grown and developed in ways we could never have envisaged. I hope that we will come to look back at some point in the future and find that over this year we gained more than we lost.
We have been blessed in many ways in that, though a significant number of the congregation have had COVID-19, most recovered quite quickly and no members required hospitalisation. That said, many in the congregation have experienced friends and relatives being quite ill, and some even dying from COVID-19. Saddest of all are probably those who have lost family members abroad who were not able to travel to attend funerals and mourn with their families. We will not be alone in hoping and praying that things will start to improve; that lockdowns lift, social distancing ends, singing returns and a new opportunity presents itself after a year of lockdowns. However, we are mindful that the picture painted by Jesus of what we are to expect as time runs on to the end of the age is not one where everything gets better. Yes, in Jesus the victory is won, God’s kingdom is advancing, the gospel is going out to the nations. But Jesus tells us that as the last day before He returns approaches, the signs will be war, famine, earthquakes, the persecution of His people, and even pandemics. (Matthew 24:4-14, Revelation 6:8). So, how do we face such times? We continue to do what the Lord asks of His church; to share His gospel and be salt and light to the community into which He calls us. I, along with many people, were struck by some words of the great reformer, Martin Luther, written as he faced an outbreak of Bubonic Plague in Wittenberg in 1527. Many of the wealthy fled the town, but Martin Luther and his pregnant wife, Katharina, remained to care for the sick. This is what he wrote…
“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death nor the death of others. If my neighbour needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely.”
God protected Martin Luther and he lived another 20 years. Whatever the year ahead holds, whether it be increasing freedom or increasing COVID-19 variants, may we seek God’s merciful protection, that we may fulfil what He expects of us, until that time when the number of our days is complete and He calls us home.
Revd. Martin Whaley.
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COVID-19
The year covered by this report has seen the global COVID-19 pandemic causing unprecedented disruption. The resulting lockdowns and restrictions had a huge impact on the ministry of the church. For much of the year we were not able to meet as a congregation in the building. Throughout this time, we turned to Zoom for many of our meetings, and pre-recorded services which were posted on the church YouTube account. Once a few of us were allowed to restart meeting in the building, we began live-streaming our services on to YouTube for those who were not yet able to attend. Overall, we managed to get nearly 70% of our members on to a Zoom meeting at some point, many of them regularly. We also had numbers watching our services which on occasion exceeded those who would have usually been there in person. We cannot know who - outside of the congregation - has seem them, but we hope that there has been opportunity for our ministry to reach people with whom we may not have otherwise come into contact.
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Charitable Object
The charity is governed by a constitution which states that the principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.
The church occupies premises which are held by the London Baptist Property Board, on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision-making Processes
Structure, Governance and Management
Members of the church are accepted by the general church membership and in accordance with the constitution. The normal form of entry into membership is through baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ and, at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting, persons seeking membership may be accepted into full membership based on their public profession of faith.
The Members’ Meeting normally takes place 6 times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the constitution, the members appoint a minimum of 3 Trustees; together with the Ministers (who are also appointed by the members), the Trustees collectively make up the Diaconate and Eldership. This group, known as the Leadership Team, are responsible for the day to day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Members’ Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in the Members’ Meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the constitution permits decisions to be made at church meetings by appropriate majorities, the church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
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WBC Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement (formulated in June 2014) consists of three headings forming the acronym WBC (as in W ealdstone B aptist C hurch): W orship, B uild and C onnect. It provides a focus for the ministry of the church and a basis on which to build for the future.
Wealdstone Baptist Church Mission Statement
Our Vision:
We seek to build a growing community of disciples of Jesus in Wealdstone who are committed to God in worship and to each other in fellowship.
Worship God
Glorifying God, King of the Church, as we worship together bringing Him our praise and prayers and receiving from Him guidance and power to do His will.
Build the Church
Glorifying God, Lord of our lives, as we encourage and support one another to submit to His will, walk in His ways, grow in His knowledge and serve in His Church.
Connect with the community
Glorifying God, Saviour of the World, as we share the Good News of the Gospel and witness through testimony to give everyone in Wealdstone the opportunity to meet Jesus.
Achievements and Performance
The year under review marked the twelfth year of ordained ministry for the Revd Martin Whaley and the third year for Mr Chris Coyston as Youth and Children’s Pastor.
The church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas such as fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth.
The church welcomes all people to worship and participate in the services and activities of the church.
At the start of April 2020, we had 89 members. In the course of the year one member died and one person was welcomed into membership, making our total membership unchanged at the end of March 2021. There were no baptisms during this year.
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Summary of Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the church usually provides a variety of activities both for its membership and for the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as their living Lord. The church seeks to make a difference in providing a positive message, outreach and support to the local community in its activities and hospitality.
The church seeks to achieve this through its weekly activities and events. These are geared at providing non-threatening and welcoming opportunities to engage people from the community in conversation about the message of Jesus, under the guidance of the Leadership Team, as encapsulated in our Mission Statement.
Central to the work and witness of the church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services take place each Sunday at both 10:30am and 6:30pm. There are also seasonal or special services at other times which are advertised in the church flyers, weekly bulletin and the church website (http://www.w-b-c.org.uk). There is usually a full youth and children’s programme during the morning services and other mid-week events for the children and the youth group. The church aims to be a friendly and welcoming community and seeks to enable ordinary people to live out their faith by welcoming anybody to attend our services.
The church usually runs a series of “Small Groups”. Some of the groups are also used as an open outreach to people on the fringe of the church or new to Christian faith. Further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The church usually runs a Parent and Toddlers Group that meets in the church premises on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Intermittently the church also runs an Alpha course for people interested in discovering more about Christianity, and courses exploring different components of Christian belief, such as baptism.
The church runs various events and activities for young people and operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
To facilitate the work of the church it is important that we maintain the fabric that comprises the buildings of Wealdstone Baptist Church, including the church halls. This was limited this year due to available finances, but some work was still completed such as replacing the Hall entrance on Wolseley Road and updating some equipment and wiring in the Sanctuary for the purpose of recording and streaming services. In addition, progress was made in attending to the minor works around the church estate, including the two manses owned by the church to provide accommodation for the Ministers.
In the previous year Harrow Council informed the church that they intended changing the parking in the roads around the church to limit parking to residents only from 8am to midnight seven days a week. This would severely impact the church’s work on Sundays and midweek, particularly the valuable community resources such as the Toddler groups and Messy Church. The Church Leadership had written to the council along with many individual members, as well as others who attend our meetings to express our concerns. Bob Blackman, the local Member of Parliament, also wrote to the Council on our behalf. Though the council delayed their decision due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have now been informed that the Council plan to go ahead with their plans shortly.
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Further Details of Activities
Pastoral Team
One important part of the church ministry is the “Pastoral Team” which meets alternate Wednesday mornings to discuss and pray over the pastoral needs in the church. Over this year we have continued to do this via Zoom. From this meeting decisions are made regarding which members need visiting or what other support is required. The minister leads the Pastoral Team and keeps the leadership aware of any significant issues. If a serious matter arises, the Pastoral Team will involve the Leadership Team or seek support from professional agencies if required. Over this year there has been a significant increase in need for supporting those who have been isolated by the pandemic restrictions. We responded to this by increasing the size of the Pastoral Team from 5 to 8 people.
Youth and Children’s Work
Sunday Children’s and Youth Programme Overview
Our Children’s and Youth programme is currently comprised of four age groups:
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Kindles: Age 0-3 years Crèche • Sparks: Age 3 - Year 2 Key stage 1
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• Flames: Year 3 - Year 6 Key stage 2 • Blaze: Year 7 – 18 years old High School/College
Crèche - Kindles
The Kindles group caters for the age group from birth to 3 years.
Currently the group has not been running due to both low numbers of children and the church being locked down, but previously they had met in the Parlour where a live transmission of the service was streamed into the room. Sunday School
Sunday School runs on Sunday mornings and caters for children of school age (age 3 to Year 6). It provides child friendly Bible teaching through the age-appropriate presentation of Bible stories, games, craft, cooking and other activities.
The aim of Sunday School is to encourage children to discover, investigate and develop their own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is split into two groups:
- Sparks: Age 3 - Year 2 Key stage 1 2. Flames: Year 3 - Year 6 Key stage 2
From April to mid-November, normal Sunday School was closed due to the COVID-19 regulations. In November we started Zoom Sunday School with 15 children in 10 families. The teaching sessions ran on Sunday mornings, Flames 9:30am to 10:10am, and Sparks 10:10am to 10:30am. The two groups were not run at the same time to allow for some families having children in both groups but only one device for connecting to Zoom. For the first lesson in November a starter pack was delivered to the Sunday School families, these contained basic materials for the lesson activity such crayons, scissors, and glue (the children in the Flames group also received a Bible). Each week specific material for that week’s class was delivered to the children.
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Sunday School: Sparks
Eight children regularly joined Sparks Zoom Sunday School and were very enthusiastic to be together virtually. Each week they listened to a Bible story, made a craft connected with the story (some with a little help from their parents) and joined in with a song. The children learned different parts of the Christmas story in November and December, and then followed a series on the Fruits of the Spirit in January and February. After that they heard about Jesus dying and rising again before we celebrated Easter.
Sunday School: Flames
Seven children were registered for Flames Zoom Sunday School with most attending each week, all these children come from Christian backgrounds.
Although teaching via Zoom had its difficulties, the children were excited to meet each week. From November to December the Flames group had teaching on the Christmas story and the events leading up to this. January to March, loosely following material produced by Click, the children pretended to travel back in time as spies to find out about some of the things that happened to Jesus’ followers and the early church, as recorded in the book of Acts.
WBC KIDS
At the beginning of lockdown, in our efforts to produce something that would be both fun and educational and also allow us to build relationships with the children, we developed “WBC Kids”, a weekly pre-recorded video, that was available for free via YouTube. These videos were a mix of songs, fun and games, craft, puppets, cartoons, and teaching. This began with an All-Age Easter Service in mid-April, which was filmed using green screens. Within a couple of weeks of this going out, we started to produce a weekly episode for the children, starting small and filming from home, but as we gained confidence and knowledge, we were able to expand these videos by converting the upper lounge into a completely blacked out recording studio where we filmed every week.
We were able to look at several topics over the months including Jesus’ parables, Moses, The Armour of God, The Fruits of the Spirit, Christmas, Trust and Heroes of the Bible.
Each week was accompanied by a downloadable pack, which included fun and games such as word searches, crosswords, colouring in pages and mazes.
We were able to reach many of those in the church and were also very blessed to be able to help families outside of Wealdstone. We heard that at the start of lockdown some churches used our videos as a way of engaging with their children, including a family in Bradford who joined weekly.
We produced 60 weekly episodes, one every week since the 3[rd of] May, totalling over 20 hours of final footage which is still available on YouTube.
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Youth Work
Virtual Youth Club (VYC)
Due to COVID-19 we have had to rethink youth work completely. Previous activities each week, including Blaze (Sunday School), Fusion (Thursday Bible Study), SNAC (Sunday Night After Church) and Base (Friday Night Youth Club) were all in-person meetings.
In an attempt to keep the youth engaged and pastor them throughout the pandemic we came up with a new group called VYC (Virtual Youth Club), which ran for the past 15 months each week via Zoom. The primary aim was to just keep in contact with the youth in different ways.
Several times a week we met with the youth and provided fun activities and games to help them through the initial stages of the pandemic. We adapted many board games to be played over Zoom, which were very popular.
At least once a week we set them a larger scale challenge they could do in their own time, which was designed to give them things to do to help them pass the time.
After a period of focusing on building relationships, we introduced a different session once a week, which was more teaching-based. These sessions looked at topics such as Truth, Ethics, Morality, and Self-control, the book of James and the Book of Ruth.
Through these meetings every week the youth we were able to not only build relationships but also they were able to develop a deeper faith.
We were also blessed to be able to put together a small book of these ideas to help people running similar events. This book has been widely distributed to many Baptist churches around London as well as further afield.
Daily Devotionals.
In order to keep in touch with the youth, every weekday we now send them a short message and a daily devotional from Max Lucado’s book “One God, one plan, one life”.
WBC Kids Youth Involvement
Over the months the youth were very actively involved in the WBC Kids videos we created for the children. This included them being involved in games and contributing to the live songs we recorded. They even put together an All Age Service, which took a day of filming under COVID19 conditions between the two lockdowns. We have tried to involve the youth as much as possible, especially with the virtual All Age Services, which have been a lot of fun for all.
Youth Camps/One-off Events
Unfortunately, the two big youth trips to Swanage and Creationfest, that we had planned, had to be cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Safeguarding
The Baptist Union of Great Britain continue with Due Diligence Checking to process Disclosure and Barring Service checks. In the period covered by this report a programme of renewal of DBS checks has continued in line with best practice that recommends checks are now renewed every 5 years.
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Carolynne Webber and Jeremy Skinner continue to serve as the church’s Designated Persons for safeguarding children and young people. Ian Webber stepped down as the Trustee with responsibility for safeguarding when he stepped down from leadership this year and was replaced by Imogene Smith.
Parent and Toddlers Group
Following on from closing the toddler group on 7[th] March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have yet to re-open due to continuing restrictions. We did not meet for the entire time of this report in the church buildings. We tried to maintain contact with some of our attendees and were able to deliver Christmas cards to everyone we had contact details for. We have continually received enquiries from new people to join the group, and promised to contact them once we have a plan for an opening date.
Messy Church
Messy Church would have been in its 10[th] year but was unable to run this year due to the pandemic. Before lockdown our numbers had been growing to the point, where we have had to implement a maximum number of 150 people in the hall each month. We hope to be able to restart Messy Church again in the next year.
We have tried to keep in contact with the parents as much as possible, mainly through brief updates explaining everything happening with regards to children’s work at WBC, and the activities still available.
Prayer and Prayer Ministry
The “War Room”, a regular prayer meeting held between 6-9am every Tuesday – Friday morning since February 2016, has continued in a reduced manner during lockdown, meeting only twice a week (Tuesday and Wednesday) using Zoom. It is a valuable support for the church’s ministry, and we are extremely grateful for the sacrificial support of a number of committed members who continued to meet each week.
Since May 2020, a day of prayer and fasting was also set aside, as a response to the global pandemic, and it still continues as we focus weekly on what we feel is on God’s heart at this time. As we meet for communion at the end of each Tuesday, we share how God has spoken to us.
In addition, we added a monthly Prayer Meeting on a Wednesday evening on Zoom, particularly targeted at those unable to join the War Room in the mornings.
This year, WBC has joined in the collaboration with HopeChurch Harrow View, Christ Church Roxeth, St. Peter’s Harrow and St. Paul’s Harrow, meeting on the first Wednesday each month to pray with Christians across Harrow Borough online for Revival. This initiative is led by Malcolm Finlay, HopeChurch Harrow View, and WBC has had a strong regular attendance.
Small Groups
In addition to the Sunday Services and the other groups mentioned in this report, the church runs a few small midweek groups. These involve a mix of Bible study, prayer, pastoral support, discipleship and teaching. These groups are very much appreciated by those who attend. The majority of these groups have continued to operate via Zoom during lockdown. These groups include the Ladies Bible Study, the “Men for God” group and the Catalyst 20-30’s group.
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CoffeePlus
On Friday mornings we usually open up the church and provide tea, coffee and cake under the title ‘CoffeePlus.’ During the pandemic restrictions we have continued to meet between 10 and 11am on Zoom each Friday, with a small but regular group joining. In the summer, we had CoffeePlus in the park, and we were able to meet up again with those who hadn’t been able to join on Zoom, and they again appreciated the cakes and fellowship.
Christmas, Easter and other Festivals
All our regular festivals, such as Easter and Christmas, in 2020 were disrupted by the pandemic resulting in the services being pre-recorded and posted online.
A Christmas All Age Service had been planned, but had to be cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19 related isolations. Advent calendars inviting prayer for the church have been distributed to church members, and a large number of Christmas cards were sent out to contacts in the community, who had been attending various groups prior to the pandemic, as well as to our church members. A Christmas dinner was distributed to members of the congregation and very gratefully received.
For Lent 2021 we had our 12[th] Lent Reading Series. This year was based on the books of the Old Testament, taking a book each day through Lent, with an overview of the whole Old Testament for the 40[th] day. This year they were produced as short videos rather than the email version of previous years.
Sunday Teaching Programme
Our teaching programme at the Sunday Services over the last year is shown below. Despite the disruption of the pandemic, we continued to produce services each week. For much of the lockdown these were pre-recorded. When we were permitted to meet in the building, we live-streamed the services for those who were not able to join.
| Morning services | Evening services | |
| April – Nov 2020 | Acts | Hebrews |
| Nov – Dec 2020 | 1 John | Proverbs |
| Jan – June 2021 | Abraham | Luke |
Sunday Services
Throughout this year the church has had to look at different ways of bringing worship into the services. The start of the financial year coincided with lockdown one, and services went online. Online services comprised the pre-recorded video sermon edited together with other video contributions.
Music during the online services was initially provided by a small group from one household recorded either in the church or at home. As we got more technically proficient, other members
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of the music group were able to contribute via individual pre-recorded audio and video tracks, edited together to form the worship.
The online Sunday Services also included video contributions from the wider congregation, church missionaries and from members of other local churches. These contributions included prayers, readings and interviews.
Once permitted to meet again in the building, in-person services resumed, some weeks led by individuals, other weeks by a small group. All in-person services were live-streamed for the benefit of those who preferred to watch from home.
Wider Mission and Evangelism
We support a number of church members in Mission beyond Wealdstone, as well as some organisations which share our charitable objectives. During the year of this report, we gave Ian and Arlette a gift in recognition of their retirement from full time ministry, as we had supported them for many years. Jim and Christine continue to be based in Spain as they work across Europe with European Christian Mission (ECM). They have contributed to our pre-recorded services a couple of times, as well as joining us for one service when the restrictions allowed them to travel in Summer 2020. M. and R. continue their work in Central Asia and visited us once this year to speak at an evening service, as well as contributing to one of our pre-recorded services. We had a recommissioning service for F. at the end of October. She began work in Cambodia and Vietnam in November 2020. Marcia Murray stepped down from her role as Mission’s secretary in February 2021 after a number of years. Paula Skinner then took over the role.
Foodbank
This has mainly continued for those who had already received vouchers, with people being visited at home or at the Foodbank to give them a voucher or drop off food. Vouchers were also posted through letterboxes where this was appropriate. In September, we asked Paula Skinner to be our Food Bank coordinator, which has allowed her to distribute vouchers through an online foodbank site. Paula has also collected food from the church and people's homes to take to the Food Bank warehouse. We have issued 12 vouchers, helping seven individuals or families.
Food Share
A team of volunteers has continued managing and distributing the food share programme, which aims at reducing landfill by collecting food from supermarkets that they can no longer sell, but is still good to use. This ministry was started several years ago, and has continued throughout the year, even though distribution methods have changed during lockdown.
Street Pastors
Although Street Pastors have continued to meet, they have not met at WBC during the pandemic. They have been meeting every Friday evening via Zoom for prayer and reflection. Dependant on the COVID-19 rates in Harrow, Street Pastors have had short patrols from 8.30 to 10.30pm, using Debenhams car park as their base and keeping in touch with Prayer Pastors via Zoom. A Street Pastors’ video was distributed to the churches and shown at a WBC online service.
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Financial Review
A full account of the financial activities of the church in the period March 2020 to April 2021 is presented in the annual accounts which accompany this report. As a group of believers, the church gives thanks to God for His provision through the year. The past year saw a great response from a small number of donors that more than made up for the loss of income that used to come from renting out our premises to other organisations. To increase resilience for the future, the Trustees have adopted a more formal reserves policy, which will take effect from the next financial year. This uses a formula looking back over the previous 3 years, and ensures that sufficient funds are held in reserve to maintain operations for 3 months, in the event of a future unexpected loss of income or donations.
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Church Leadership and Staff
As previously noted, this year encompassed Revd Martin Whaley’s twelfth year as Senior Minister of WBC and Chris Coyston’s third as Youth and Children’s Pastor. In September 2020, the Church Members Meeting agreed to extend Chris Coyston’s present appointment to July 2022, as well as support him in commencing part-time study at London School of Theology. Christiane Rohrmueller and Rose Finlow continue their job share as Administrators. During the pandemic the church took advantage of the government furlough scheme for both the Administrators and the cleaners while the building was closed to meetings.
At the end of December 2020 Ian and Carolynne Webber completed their terms on the Leadership Team and stepped down. In November 2020 the Church Members Meeting voted to extend Tim Hainsworth’s role as Elder for a further 3 years, to appoint Rose Finlow as Church Secretary and Alison Paterson as Deacon, all commencing in January 2021.
Following Ian Webber finishing his term on the Leadership Team, Imogene Smith has taken over the role of Safeguarding Trustee. A small Finance Team has been formed with Ian Webber and Chris Axtell overseeing the accounts, together with Lynn Twelvetrees, who will act as the link with the Leadership Team. While we are without a Treasurer, the Leadership Team will take responsibility of making financial decisions.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:2
Accepted and confirmed on behalf of the Trustees by on 4[th] October 2021.
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
07/06/2021 Ver 1.00.1144
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes Income and endowments from Donations and legacies 2 Investments 3 Charitable activities 4 Other income 5 Total income and endowments Expenditure on Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Other expenditure 9 Support costs 10 Total Expenditure 11 Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 12 Net gains/(losses) on investments Net Income/(Expenditure) for Year Net Movement in Funds Fund Balances Brought Forward Valuation Increase Prior Year Adjustments Fund Balances Carried Forward |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ £ 130,796.86 34,616.32 13,513.51 178,926.69 172,906.07 141.90 141.90 496.92 222.00 222.00 20,351.30 4,271.20 4,271.20 - |
|---|---|
| 135,431.96 34,616.32 13,513.51 183,561.79 193,754.29 |
|
| - - - 131,238.40 - 25.55 131,263.95 150,342.73 30,300.75 30,300.75 38,351.99 13,928.50 13,928.50 13,675.98 |
|
| 145,166.90 - 30,326.30 175,493.20 202,370.70 |
|
| - 9,734.94 34,616.32 - 16,812.79 8,068.59 - 8,616.41 - 5,175.87 - 10,320.88 15,496.75 - - |
|
| -14,910.81 24,295.44 -1,316.04 8,068.59 -8,616.41 |
|
| - 14,910.81 24,295.44 - 1,316.04 8,068.59 - 8,616.41 1,130,169.64 57,982.48 5,419.34 1,193,571.46 1,202,187.88 - - - - - |
|
| 1,115,258.83 82,277.92 4,103.30 1,201,640.05 1,193,571.46 |
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
07/06/2021 Ver 1.00.1144
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2021
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 14 Current Assets Debtors 15 Bank and Cash 16 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 17 Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Liabilities Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds 18 Designated Funds 19 Unrestricted Funds: |
2021 £ 1,097,205.85 1,097,205.85 2,435.00 101,999.20 104,434.20 - 104,434.20 1,201,640.05 4,103.30 82,277.92 1,115,258.83 1,201,640.05 |
2020 £ 1,112,894.31 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,112,894.31 | ||
| 1,804.00 78,873.15 |
||
| 80,677.15 - |
||
| 80,677.15 | ||
| 1,193,571.46 | ||
| 5,419.34 57,982.48 1,130,169.64 |
||
| 1,193,571.46 |
Accounts Prepared by Wealdstone Baptist Church Finance Manager C. Axtell
Approved by the Trustees on 2021 and signed on their behalf by
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Rev. M. Whaley (Minister)
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D:\wbc\Accounts\Year 20-21\WBC Accounts 2020-21 v1.0 Signed.xlsm BAL_SHEET
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D:\wbc\Accounts\Year 20-21\WBC Accounts 2020-21 v1.0 Signed.xlsm Note_1
WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
07/06/2021 Ver 1.00.1144
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 2 | Donations and legacies | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Regular offerings | 60,231.85 | - | 60,231.85 | 64,794.40 | ||
| Gift Aid receipts | 22,523.12 | 2,077.50 | 1,160.00 | 25,760.62 | 20,776.10 | |
| General donations | 43,224.65 | 43,224.65 | 25,930.00 | |||
| Legacies | 550.00 | 550.00 | - | |||
| Specific Donations | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | 2,050.00 | |||
| Loans Received | - | - | - | |||
| Sale of Assets | - | - | - | |||
| Church Life / Sundry | 267.24 | - | 267.24 | 1,117.99 | ||
| Church Holidays | 715.50 | 715.50 | 5,603.10 | |||
| Other Designated Giving | 13,000.00 | 13,000.00 | 24,500.00 | |||
| Special Giving | 18,823.32 | 18,823.32 | 1,800.00 | |||
| Reserves | - | - | - | |||
| Organisations account | 233.51 | 233.51 | 2,907.69 | |||
| Missionary account | 12,120.00 | 12,120.00 | 23,426.79 | |||
| Totals | 130,796.86 | 34,616.32 | 13,513.51 | 178,926.69 | 172,906.07 | |
| The above restricted income was allocated to the Charity's missionary | and organisation | accounts | ||||
| 3 | Income from Investments | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Rent - Houses | - | - | - | |||
| Interest on deposits | 141.90 | 141.90 | 496.92 | |||
| Totals | 141.90 | - | - | 141.90 | 496.92 | |
| 4 | Income from Charitable activities | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Use of premises: | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cornerstone/Potters House | 146.40 | 146.40 | 13,060.80 | |||
| Other Churches | 75.60 | 75.60 | 4,960.90 | |||
| Other Groups | - | - | 2,329.60 | |||
| Totals | 222.00 | - | - | 222.00 | 20,351.30 | |
| 5 | Other income | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Sundry - Other Inc Resources | 4,271.20 | 4,271.20 | - | |||
| Training | - | - | - | |||
| Other | - | - | - | |||
| 4,271.20 | - | - | 4,271.20 | - | ||
| 6 | Expenditure on Raising funds | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Property costs & Agents Fees | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 7 | Expenditure on Charitable activities | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Ministry: | ||||||
| Ministers' salaries, pension & n.i.c. | 61,351.10 | 61,351.10 | 61,726.30 | |||
| Ministers expenses | 1,518.78 | 1,518.78 | 1,744.49 | |||
| Visitors expenses | - | - | - | |||
| Church life | 602.81 | 602.81 | 6,039.10 | |||
| Other Designated Giving | - | - | - | |||
| Establishment: | ||||||
| Church and Halls | 33,067.51 | 33,067.51 | 32,087.94 | |||
| Special Giving | - | - | - | |||
| Staff Accommodation | 5,974.80 | 5,974.80 | 5,964.73 | |||
| Depreciation - Contents & Fixtures of Church, Halls, Manses | 22,851.78 | 22,851.78 | 31,818.08 | |||
| Mission: | ||||||
| N Ergize - General | - | - | - | |||
| Parents & Toddlers | 25.55 | 25.55 | 2,709.30 | |||
| Womens Fellowship | - | - | - | |||
| Unused old catering Catering | - | - | - | |||
| Church holidays | - | - | 5,005.73 | |||
| Administration: | ||||||
| Sundry miscellaneous expenses | 4.40 | 4.40 | 155.25 | |||
| Equipment or Works (not capitalised) | 1,579.91 | 1,579.91 | 524.54 | |||
| Depreciation - equipment | - | - | - | |||
| Printing & stationery | 566.53 | 566.53 | 773.74 | |||
| Training | - | - | - | |||
| Subscriptions & donations | 3,720.78 | 3,720.78 | 1,793.53 | |||
| Totals | 131,238.40 | - | 25.55 | 131,263.95 | 150,342.73 |
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D:\wbc\Accounts\Year 20-21\WBC Accounts 2020-21 v1.0 Signed.xlsm Notes
| 9 Other expenditure Missionary account Totals 10 Support costs Administrator's employment costs Church office costs Depreciation of equipment Totals 11 Total Expenditure Ministry Establishment Mission Training and Admin Supplies etc. Other expenditure Cost of generating funds Administrator's employment costs Totals 12 Transfers between Funds Missionary Account (Various) Church Life Reserves Parents & Toddlers N Ergize Premises Refurbishment 13 Staff costs and Trustees expenses Ministers Salaries Admin Salaries Cleaners Salaries NI (National Insurance) Pension costs Other costs Sub Total Trustee Services Total The average number of employees during the year was |
Unrestricted £ |
Designated Restricted 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 30,300.75 30,300.75 38,351.99 |
|---|---|---|
| - | - 30,300.75 30,300.75 38,351.99 |
|
| Unrestricted £ 13,928.50 - |
Designated Restricted 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 13,928.50 13,675.98 - - - - |
|
| 13,928.50 | - - 13,928.50 13,675.98 |
|
| Staff costs £ 62,869.88 7,925.54 13,928.50 |
Depreciation Other costs 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 602.81 63,472.69 69,509.89 22,851.78 31,116.77 61,894.09 69,870.75 25.55 25.55 7,715.03 - 5,871.62 5,871.62 3,247.06 30,300.75 30,300.75 38,351.99 - - - 13,928.50 13,675.98 |
|
| 84,723.92 | 22,851.78 67,917.50 175,493.20 202,370.70 |
|
| Unrestricted £ - 12,520.75 181.56 7,163.32 |
Designated Restricted £ £ 15,520.75 - 33,995.06 4,000.00 - 24.00 - 19,674.18 -10,320.88 15,496.75 2021 2020 £ £ 47,510.82 46,446.30 13,928.50 13,675.98 7,925.54 7,661.99 843.14 1,577.59 12,997.14 13,702.41 1,518.78 1,744.49 84,723.92 84,808.76 14,333.40 16,435.17 99,057.32 101,243.93 6 6 |
|
| -5,175.87 | ||
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (Last year none). Two Trustees, who are also employees (ministers), live in housing wholly owned by the church. No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (Last year none). The Church pays pension contributions for one Minister to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, The Church pays pension contributions for one Minister to the NEST Pension scheme
The Church pays pension deficit contributions to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, which is a final salary defined benefit scheme, which is not contracted out of the State second pension.
The scheme is a multi-employer scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme which are attributable to the church. Therefore, in accordance with FRS102 Section 28, the liability to the scheme is accounted for on the basis of a discounted cashflow of contributions due under the Schedule of Contributions.
One trustee is also an Admin worker, their wages are included as Trustee Services One trustee is also a cleaner, their wages are included as Trustee Services One trustee provided professional data services they are included as Trustee Services
A trustee involved in property maintenance has been utilised by the church, their payments are included as Trustee Services. Trustee services are carried out as per the guidance in Charity Commission Guidance Document CC11
14 Tangible Fixed assets
| Tangible Fixed assets | |
|---|---|
COST OR VALUATION At 31 March 2020 Valuation Additions in year Valuation increase At 31 March 2021 DEPRECIATION At 01 April 2020 Charge for year At 31 March 2021 Net Book Value At 31 March 2021 At 31 March 2020 |
Manses Church contents and fixtures Halls contents and fixtures Equipment Total £ £ £ £ £ 1,089,724.95 8,980.00 55,553.95 - 1,154,258.90 - - 7,163.32 - 7,163.32 - - - - - |
| 1,089,724.95 8,980.00 62,717.27 - 1,161,422.22 |
|
| 23,462.34 4,666.00 13,236.25 - 41,364.59 9,944.99 1,796.00 11,110.79 - 22,851.78 |
|
| 33,407.33 6,462.00 24,347.04 - 64,216.37 |
|
| 1,056,317.62 2,518.00 38,370.23 - 1,097,205.85 |
|
| 1,066,262.61 4,314.00 42,317.70 - 1,112,894.31 |
All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes. Some of the furniture and equipment, the valuation of which is not material, is also used for the management and administration of the church.
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| 15 Debtors Inland Revenue Cornerstone 16 Bank and cash balances Santander Current Account Lloyds London Baptist Property Board Santander Business Savings General Account Cash Parents & Todlers Cash N Ergize Cash 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Pension Contributions Loans 18 Restricted Funds 01.04.20 Incoming Resources £ £ Alperton BMS - Bulgaria Fund - 2,030.00 Cambodia Ministry 1,400.00 ECM (Memorys) 3,900.00 HCSL Trust (RE:GENERATION) - Home Mission Fund - Members Support - - OMF (Pickards) 180.00 Other Funds 1,500.00 - Tear Fund 10.00 Walls M & R (ex People Intl.) 5,480.00 Wycliffe (McGrigg) 280.00 Gift Aid pending 95.00 95.00 N Ergize - General - - Parents & Toddlers 3,824.34 233.51 Womens Fellowship - Totals 5,419.34 13,608.51 19 Designated Funds 01.04.20 Incoming Resources £ £ Catering (unused) - - Church Holidays 1,214.03 715.50 Other Designated Giving 14,448.00 13,125.00 Special Giving 12,692.38 11,637.50 Gift Aid pending 25.00 - Annual / Major Bills 10,441.21 Reserves 12,500.00 - Refurbishment 6,661.86 9,163.32 57,982.48 34,641.32 Gift Aid pending on note 18 & 19 when shown this is not broken between funds for simplicity, but 20 Analysis of net assets between funds Fund balances at 31 March 2021 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total Net Assets 21 Related charities* |
15 Debtors Inland Revenue Cornerstone 16 Bank and cash balances Santander Current Account Lloyds London Baptist Property Board Santander Business Savings General Account Cash Parents & Todlers Cash N Ergize Cash 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Pension Contributions Loans 18 Restricted Funds 01.04.20 Incoming Resources £ £ Alperton BMS - Bulgaria Fund - 2,030.00 Cambodia Ministry 1,400.00 ECM (Memorys) 3,900.00 HCSL Trust (RE:GENERATION) - Home Mission Fund - Members Support - - OMF (Pickards) 180.00 Other Funds 1,500.00 - Tear Fund 10.00 Walls M & R (ex People Intl.) 5,480.00 Wycliffe (McGrigg) 280.00 Gift Aid pending 95.00 95.00 N Ergize - General - - Parents & Toddlers 3,824.34 233.51 Womens Fellowship - Totals 5,419.34 13,608.51 19 Designated Funds 01.04.20 Incoming Resources £ £ Catering (unused) - - Church Holidays 1,214.03 715.50 Other Designated Giving 14,448.00 13,125.00 Special Giving 12,692.38 11,637.50 Gift Aid pending 25.00 - Annual / Major Bills 10,441.21 Reserves 12,500.00 - Refurbishment 6,661.86 9,163.32 57,982.48 34,641.32 Gift Aid pending on note 18 & 19 when shown this is not broken between funds for simplicity, but 20 Analysis of net assets between funds Fund balances at 31 March 2021 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total Net Assets 21 Related charities* |
Transfers £ - - - 2,091.05 2,837.04 1,418.52 2,127.84 - - - 1,500.00 - 5,837.04 2,709.26 - - 24.00 |
2021 2020 £ £ 2,435.00 1,804.00 - - 2,435.00 1,804.00 2021 2020 £ £ 13,938.86 5,932.71 - - 30,561.19 30,474.83 57,461.15 42,405.61 - - 38.00 60.00 - - 101,999.20 78,873.15 2021 2020 £ £ - - - - - - Resources Expended 31.03.21 £ £ - - - - 2,030.00 - 3,491.05 - 6,737.04 - 1,418.52 - 2,127.84 - - - 180.00 - - - 10.00 - 11,317.04 - 2,989.26 - 95.00 - - 25.55 4,008.30 - - 30,326.30 4,103.30 Resources Expended 31.03.21 £ £ - - - 1,929.53 - 8,748.00 - 9,692.38 - 9,908.65 16,500.00 35,499.36 - 82,277.92 cated to the appropriate fund. Designated Restricted Total £ £ £ 1,097,205.85 82,277.92 4,103.30 104,434.20 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,419.34 13,608.51 |
15,496.75 | ||
| 01.04.20 Incoming Resources £ £ - - 1,214.03 715.50 14,448.00 13,125.00 12,692.38 11,637.50 25.00 - 10,441.21 12,500.00 - 6,661.86 9,163.32 |
Transfers £ - - - 18,825.00 - 14,637.50 - 532.56 4,000.00 19,674.18 |
||
| 57,982.48 34,641.32 |
-10,320.88 | ||
| when received will be allo Unrestricted £ 1,097,205.85 18,052.98 - |
|||
| 1,115,258.83 | 82,277.92 4,103.30 1,201,640.05 |
||
The custodian Trustee of the church is The London Baptist Association which is charity number 1091160. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the London Baptist Association. The church made a donation to the Baptist Union Home Mission Scheme as set out in note 18. The church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the Charity Name trustees/directors/ Wealdstone Baptist Church members of On accounts for the year 31 March 2021 ended
Charity no.: 1132143 Company no.: Set out on pages 1-6 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31/03/2021 DD / MM / YYYY . Responsibilities and As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the basis of report company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that: • accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
- the accounts do not accord with such records; or
• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or •the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: S Wright
Date: 15/01/2022
October 2018
1
IER
Name: Mrs S Wright
Relevant professional Part Qualified ACCA Member qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address:
9 Ackers Drive,
Ebbsfleet, Kent,
DA10 1AL
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
October 2018
2
IER