Station Hill Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts 2024 Registered Charity number 1132165 24 Station Hill, Chippenham SN15 IEG
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Annual Report for the year to 31 January 2024 The Trustees here present their report together with the accompanying independently examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2024. A) The Charity and its Governance Station Hill Baptist Church was formed in 1854 and has occupied the site ever since. As part of the process of becoming a charity in 2009, the Church updated its governing document to conform to a standard approved governing document for Baptist Union of Great Britain churches. The Charity is governed with due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The Church has now completed taking appropriate measures and has become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation following a vote by Members at a Special Church Meeting on 26th November 2023, with decisions being taken with regard to Membership, Church Meetings and Trustees being adopted. Objectives of the Church The principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. Station Hill Baptist Church has a vision to be the visible presence of Christ in Chippenham and North Wiltshire, and together with other churches to be active in society to minister to the whole community. Our task is that, by all means possible, we will bring people into contact with Christ and His good news, to enable them to develop a personal relationship and friendship with God, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and active in sharing their faith with other people. Trustees The Church Meeting appoints Charity Trustees from among the church members. These include the Elders and other off icers by virtue of their roles within the church. The Church Meeting may appoint other Trustees from time to tlme by virtue of thelr qualifications for the role. The Charity Trustees who served during the year are: Peter Whitby Todd Nightingale David Brown Vicky Hempstead David Wright The current Chair is to be decided.
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Church Council and Officers The Church Council collectively takes the role of Managing Trustees. It consists of members, appointed by the Church Meeting, who meet bi-monthly and comprises the officers listed below plus representatives of various aspects of the life and work of the church, including worship and word, mission and evangelism, lifestyle and discipleship. and stewardship of our assets. The Church is governed and regulated by its own members through bi-monthly Church Meetings: this is the ultimate authority for decisions under God. Changes have been made to the definitions of the roles of Elders and the Church Council to free Elders to prioritise the spiritual direction of the church, with the Church Council considering more day to day decisions regarding running the church. The church officers who served during the year were: Representing Worship & Word Erika Farrell Representing Pastoral Care Paul Phillips Representing House Groups Caroline Hiorns Representing Seniors David Thompson Representing Evangelism & Outreach Charmaine Elkerton (from 2nd May 2023) Elder Rachel Lambert Elder Peter Whitby Elder David Brown Elder David Wright Todd Nightingale Vicky Hempstead Steve Hardy Minister Treasurer Administrator Jenny Budgell ACME has been appointed as Independent Examiner of the Financial Statements. Safe to Grow Policy The Church is committed to the nurturing, protection and safeguarding of all, especially children, young people and adults at risk. It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people, and to report any abuse discovered or suspected. We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church. We undertake to exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and young people, whether paid or volunteer. The church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people and to providing supervision. The church is committed to following the Home Office Code of Practice Safefrom Harm and adopts the principles published by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in its booklet Saft to Gmw* putting alongside these a policy of good practice for youth and children's work.
STATION HILL BAPT15T CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Each worker with children and young people must know the recommendations and undertake to observe them. Each is given a copy of the church's agreed procedures and good practice guidelines and all are given safeguarding training. As part of our commitment to children and young people, the church has appointed Charmaine Elkerton as.. the Designated Person for Safeguarding, James Drewett as the Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding {until September 2023), Peter Whitby as Safeguarding Trustee, Natascha House as Secretary and Simona Baker as the Safe to Grow Administrator. The Designated Person for Safeguarding's role is regularly explained to children and young people, and contsct details are publicly displayed. Baptist Affiliation The Church is part of the wider national body, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and is also a member of the West of England Baptist Network (Webnet). The Church pays an annual subscription to the Baptist Union of Great Britain based upon its membership numbers. The Church also made donations to the Baptist Union Home Mission Fund and Baptist Missionary Society during the year. Church Building Trustees The Church Building Trustees are the West of England Baptist Network (Webnet). B) Church Review 2023/2024 Ministry and leadership Todd Nightingale was welcomed as Minister in 2019 and has continued in his role through the year. He has also helped at Calne Baptist Church, leading services and advising the deacons in this year during their interregnum period. Wayne Lawther, our Community Minister, started a three month sabbatical leave from 1st January 2023 until leaving this Church's employment on 31st March 2023, whilst remaining as a Church Member. A thank you tea for Wayne Lawther and his family was held on Saturday 1st April to mark Wayne's leaving SHBC employment at the end of his sabbatical. He planned to take a year out of ministry while working as a Residential Child Care Officer, and also with the homeless at Unity House in Chippenham. On 14th January 2024 Wayne accepted an invitation from Calne Baptist Church to be their Minister, starting on l March 2024. Danelle Nightingale continues in her role as 'Growth Coach, for two (?) days per week. As a trained spiritual director with many years experience of working in church ministry, she says; '1 get to journey with others in the deep and authentic places of their faith and life with God" Danelle is a
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. gifted speaker who regularly teaches and leads our Sunday morning gatherings and also heads up the Women's Ministry Team. Worship Our worship time is enabled and richly blessed with the musical gifts and talents of many members who lead, play, and sing, supported by those who quietly work to set up, and operate equipment. A multi-voiced style of Sunday morningworship has been encouraged to continue and develop further. Over one weekend in April we welcomed Diane Arthurs, worship leader at Todd's previous church, to meet with our worship team and lead our Sunday morning worship. In January a bring and share lunch, with Communion being taken too, was held after the morning service, this will be repeated in February and other times in the future. We are grateful to all members who have contributed to the worship, preaching and teaching ministry of the Church. Our monthly BIG Family Church service includes games, fun and food. it is growing in popularity and attracting families who do not feel comfortable at the more traditional style of church services. Todd and Danelle have taken over leadership of BIG Family Church from Wayne Lawther. th Our 5 Sunday Fellowship continues, whereby when a month has five Sundays the church is open for fellowship but there is no actual service. This gives team members a rest and also allows people an opportunity to fellowship with other local churches at their services or to share a meal, for example, with people from SHBC, giving them a longer time together than the few minutes a usual Sunday morning service allows them afterwards. A wide variety of social events, some for women, some for men, others open to both and families, were held during the year in various locations. All were well attended and gave opportunities to invite people to church events without them always needing to come into a church to take part. Prayer The Church is committed to the importsnce of prayer as a means to discern the will of God. We hold prayer events as an opportunity for the church to meet for corporate themed prayer and weeks of prayer and fasting to coincide with important periods within the church calendar. 26 hours of prayer were held at the church over 1-2 July, focussing on situations at SHBC, in Chippenham, in our country and around the world. 123Go, which stands for I gospel, 2 everyone over 3 days, was led by Charmaine Elkerton in Emery Gate, the Town bridge, and the Buttercross in Chippenham, giving free hugs, chocolate/sweets, and conversation on 7,8, and 9th April. Similar, briefer, outreaches have continued on a regular basis since. Our Prayer Café continues to be an important established part of our outreach ministry to the Chippenham community. Attendance each Saturday morning by people in the local community•
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. many coming along on a regular basis for social contact and prayer, continues to grow, and the team th is enhanced by members of other local churches helping each week. On 6 May the Coronation of th King Charles111 was televised live during Prayer Café to allow people to watch together. On 10 June the Prayer Café was held in Monkton Park, attracting over 150 people and being visited by the Chippenham Mayor. PrayerNet enables and encourages individual prayer for the specific needs of our fellowship and those known to them at all times. Bible reading and Prayer sessions continue on Zoom two mornings a week. A monthly prayer meeting is also held, focussing on domestic and international humanitarian and political topics. We were privileged to hold two weddings at the church during the year, and to admit and welcome two people into Membership. Sadly, several people in the church lost close family members during the year, some very suddenly. and the church family drew around them in support. A Newcomers meal in February was followed by an Exploring Membership course in April. An Alpha course wa5 run in the autumn, with an away day in October and a celebration supper in January. Many people from outside of SHBC completed the Alpha course. Pastoral care, teaching and discipleship House Groups are a first line for pastoral care and teaching in small groups - the studies normally follow the theme of related sermons on preceding Sunday mornings. The church aims to include as many people as possible, providing groups that meet at different times and days throughout the week. One House Group meets in a local Christian Care Home now, and has been joined by some of the residents. Our Pastoral Care team also offer support to those unwell or with needs at home or in hospital. The Church recognises the importance of discipleship and development at all stages of people's faith journey and this is often best done in small groups. Separate social groups for men and women in the church continue in person and online through WhatsApp, with many bringing non-SHBC friends into the groups too. Further similar WhatsApp groups prove very useful too, both for issuing information quickly and encouraging friendships and conversations to continue outside of their actual sessions, for people outside of the church, such as the Toddlers parents. Mission, evangelism and community service Mission, both overseas and within our local community, is core to living out our faith - we support families working in mission organisations in Canada as well as keeping close contact with interests in Senegal. Our local community work's emphasis is on outward and visible community witness. Part of our service to the local community is the provision of food parcels to those in need, from
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. donations provided by the congregation; we continued to see a growing need for this in the last year as many families are living in hardship. Many of our members serve and witness individually to the wider community; this includes those supporting the homeless. Once again many shoeboxes full of useful personal items and gifts were made up by members and distributed to homeless people staying at Unity House. New toys were donated for the Salvation Army's annual appeal too. We are also members of the Chippenham Churches Together (CCT) group and encourage our members to support and be involved in the wider church of Chippenham. In May we joined with Sheldon Road Methodist Church for Pentecost worship, and in December sang carols outside the Town Hall, at the hospital and a local care home, as well as at the railway station with ccr, and the church was full for our Carols by Candlelight service. A Warm Space was opened on Thursday afternoons and Saturday Prayer Cafe in January in nd conjunction with an initiative with other local venues, continuing until 2 March. Children and young people God has blessed us with a group of children and young people, Teaching, while giving them lifestyle examples of how to grow and to live in faith, is a dynamic work. We teach them in Church and in the "Eden Academy" format on Sundays; we are grateful that the redevelopment of our buildings has provided the suitable accommodation we need for all our work to continue under our own roof. A crèche is also provided during our Sunday morning services. All age worship has been a growing aspect of our Sunday services, sometimes led by the young people themselves. We look to run clubs and activities during term time where we can that young people from within the church and from the wider community attend. We also participate in a Sunday evening programme run jointly with other local churches, notablyst Paul's Church, for young people from all the secondary schools in Chippenham. Happily, 'Open the Book, sessions in local schools, which Susie Spencer coordinates. are as popular as ever. 'Prayer Spaces in Schools,, co- ordinated by Angela Thomas, are another means by which the church can encourage staff and pupils alike with prayer spaces in place over a period of days within local schools given them the opportunity to receive prayer and to talk in confidence. We give special thanks to the many members of our fellowship who serve our children and young people. In the absence of a Children and Families Leader, Vicky Hempstead, Rachel Bowers and Sophie Lambert have continued to lead children and youth work in the church for the O-11 year old and 11- 18 year old age groups. This is a key focus as we want to encourage our young people to commit their lives to God and then grow and develop in their faith. Sadly there has been no progress with appointing a Children and Families Leader, but we continue to seek to fill the role.
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165} Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Seniors Work amongst the 'seniors' in our community continues to meet an important and growing need with Sunday Afternoon Fellowship {SAF) being well attended. This ministry seeks to serve people in practical, emotional, social and spiritual ways as they lose friends and loved ones, become less mobile and risk greater isolation. The popular SAF Summer Garden Party was held at Grittleton Hall. Community organisations In addition to all our Church activities, our facilities continue to be used by wider community organisations including a counselling support group for young people. The church has run three very popular Toddler Groups, each with a waiting list for new joiners, and the majority of people attending all of these groups are not church attendees. It is core to our purpose that we should place our buildings and ourselves in service of the needs around us. Sadly, team changes during the year, with some stepping down, have meant that the Wednesday Toddlers Group had to close after July, and leave the future of the Monday and Friday Groups uncertain in 2024. The church is also actively engaged with the Christians Against Poverty group run by Trinity Church in Chippenham, with CAP training courses, team meetings and confidential counselling sessions being held at the church. A CAP Cafe was run at the church on Tuesday mornings during the school summer holidays and it has continued every Wednesday morning since September in the absence of the Wednesday Toddlers. We continue to look to attract usage by more such community groups where we have the capacity to. Our Building The redevelopment of the church building completed in March 2019 continues to pay dividends in terms of the extra use made of it by us and outside groups. Work Still progresses With installing audio and video links in the Lounge so that people there can still join in with services in the main hall, for example. Zoom coverage of services is provided using two camera positions in the hall. The notice board outside the church is enlarged and is being developed to advertise services and activities more clearly.
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Thanks We particularly wish to note the hard work of many people, the many hours of service freely and willingly given, all the offerings brought to God for the work of his Kingdom, and the time people have given to prayer and working with others. Thank you. We are grateful to God. C) Church Financial Report Financial Summary Our accounts for 2023/2024 show that the church remains in a good financial position. We are grateful to many members who give generously to the work of the church during the period which has allowed us to carry-on the activities noted above. Whilst the accounts show a profit for the financial year, after factoring in loan repayments we have, however experienced a cash deficit in the year and we need to be mindful of the need to pay off the loans that we entered into to complete the church building work. Changes in staffing levels in the 2023/24 financial year mean that we expect to have a surplus on a cash basis in future years. Principal Funding Sources The main source of funding for the Church Revenue Account is offerings given by members of the congregation. Reserves Policy The Church has adopted a formal reserving policy in line with Charity Commission guidance. General reserve: Liquid funds will be held to ensure that the committed running costs of the church {salary and manse costs plus essential church utility and insurance payments and loan repayments) could be met for 3 months in the unforeseen event of the need to wind up the charity. This would enable the Trustees to take appropriate action to stem the costs by giving notice to employees of the church and/or to liquidate other assets to meet liabilities. Restricted funds: We will continue the practice of holding funds for mission work in restricted funds set apart from our general funds. The restricted mission funds include our mission tenth (IOYO of our general giving that is set aside for mission work including training people for mission), donations collected for missionaries that the church regularly supports, and our Fellowship Fund to meet the needs of those in our Church fellowship.
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Signature and Declaration I declare, in my capacity as a Trustee, that: The Trustees have approved the report above; and Have authorised me to sign it on their behalf. Peter Whitby 21/1012024 io
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 11321651 Annual Reportand Accounts forthe year ending 31January 2024. Station H511 Baptist Church Independent Examinerfs Report for the year ending 31 January 2024 Respertive rtspon5ilJditles of tru5teesand examlner The trustees are responsible tor the preparation of the accounts. The charitvs trustees considerthat an audit ts not quired forth year undersettion 144 of the a)arities Ac12011 (the Charities Actl and that an independent examinion is needed. The charty's gr05S income exceeded £250.000 aTrd l arn qualEfied to undertake the examination by belng a qualified member of CIM It is my responsibllityto.. examine the accounts under settlon 145 of the Charlties Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions 8iven bythe Ch3rlty CommFsslon lundersettion 14515llbll of the Charitl£s AC¢ and to state whether partlculay m2tters have come to my attention asis tsf independert examiner's statement My examinatofi wa5 carried out in accordance with general Dlrections given by the Charty Commission. An examination includes a wlewof the a¢nn& records kept b¥the ch8rity and a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerdtion of any unusuèl items or disclosures in the accourlts, aDd seeking explanations frotn the trustees concerning any such matter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the edence that would be requlred In an audit. and consequently no opintoo 1$ 8iven as to whether the accounts PTe5ent a 'true and falr. Mew and the report 15 limited to those matters setout in the statement below. Independent examlntr's statement In connection wh my eKaminat4on, no material matters have come to my attention whith gives me rAuse to believe that in, any mateTral respect.. accountlll8 COrdS were not kept in accordance wlth sectk)n 386 of the CompanlesAtt 2006,. or . the accounts do n¢X accord wth such records.. or • the accounts do not comply wlth relevant accounting reqU1MentS under section 396 of the Companies Att 2006 otherthan any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examlnation; or •the accounts have not been prepad in accordance with the Charities soRp IFAS1021. I have come across no other rrwtters in connection wrch the examinattoft to whlch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Si8ned'. Jenny Budgell, ACMA Dated.. ,Yl,fja li
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. ststement of Financlal ActiVFties as at 3110112024 Mission Unrestricted Funds Funds (restrlcted) Note 2024 2023 Incoming ReSoUrS Donations and legacies Gift aid Charitable activities Rental income/other Total Expendlture on: Charitable activities Refurbishment Total Transfer Net income/(expenditure) 141,381 27,327 41.760 183,141 8N16 35,743 176,335 33,777 1,375 170,083 1,375 50.176 220,259 210,112 107,494 46,751 154,245 195,275 107,494 4,454 67,043 46,751 14,454) (1,029) 154,245 195,275 66,014 14,837 Reconclliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 304,093 371,136 9,828 313,921 8,799 379,935 299,084 313,921 12
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165) Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024. Balance Sheet as at 31/0112024 Note 2024 2023 Fixed assets Tangible assets Total fixed assets 391,352 391,352 393,228 393,228 Current assets Debtors & Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets 9,570 80,942 90,512 9,732 51,201 60,933 Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets less current liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due in greater than one year Total net assets {20,929} {23,491) 460,935 430,671 {81,0001 {116,750) 379,935 313,921 The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total charity funds 8,799 371,136 379,935 304,093 9,828 313,921 Signed by one or more trustees: Name.. Peter Whitby Date 21110/2024 13
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH {Registered Charity 11321651- Annual Report and Accounts forthe year ending 31January 2024 Note I: Basis of preparation Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with: Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP 20151 and with Section IA "Small Entities" of Financial Reporting Standard 102 IFRS 102) and with the Charities Att. Note 2: Accounting policies Recognition of incoming resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities ISOFAI when the charity becomes entitled to the resources and when the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and when the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability, Grunts and donotions (including gift uid) Where incoming resource5 have related expenditure la5 With fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate. Donoted services andfacilities These would only be included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees, annual report. Liability recognition Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Tongiblefixed assetsfor use by charity These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £SOO. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. 14
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH IRegistered Charity 11321651- Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024 Note 3: Expendlture on charltable activlty (Church Revenue Fund) 2024 2023 Administration expenses Equipment Fabric Insurance Manse Staff costs Sundrie5 Visiting speakers Youth work 5,302 4,125 3,984 3,648 9,327 2,244 4,042 103,948 11,461 275 1,326 140,256 2,386 3,697 70,012 12,161 622 107.494 Note 3b: Staff costs 2024 2023 Salary Social security Pensions- defined benefit Pensions- defined contribution 51,990 10,882 I,(KJ2 6,138 70.012 70,320 19.300 2,610 11,718 103,948 The defined benefit pension payment in the year relates to a final payment made by the Church to the Baptist Pension Scheme {"the scheme"), to end any future liabilities for deficit payments to the scheme. In 2023 amounts related to pension deficit payments on the scheme. These costs related to three past ministers who are retired pensioners and two past ministers who have dependent pensioners in the scheme. Note 4: Detslls of Certaln Items of expendlture Trustee expenses 2024 None 2023 None Number of trustees who were pald expenses Nature of the expenses Total amount paid £nll £nil None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from Station Hill Baptist Church. Feefor exominotion of the t7ccounts 2024 £nll 2023 £nil Independent examinerfs fees 15
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 11321651- Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024 Note 5: Movement In funds Balance Incoming Resources 31 January Resources Expended 2023 Transfers inllout) Balance 31 January 2024 Church Revenue fund 304,093 170,083 1107,4941 4,454 371,136 Mi55ioD Funds {restrirted) ARM 915 8,325 10,333 2,900 12,145 16,473 50,176 18,632) 112,4471 12,3331 110,2601 113,079) 146.751} 608 2,878 4,488 635 190 Collected funds Fellowship fund Provis Fund Mission tenth 4,992 3,921 11,2501 13,2041 14.4541 9.828 8,799 Total 313,921 220.259 1154,245) 379,935 Note 6: Fixed Assets 2024 Property Equlpment 2023 Property Equipment Cost At l February Additions Disposals At 31 January 390.000 10,007 390,000 6,836 3,171 390.000 10,007 390,000 10,007 Depreclatlon At l February Depreciation Disposals At 31 January 6.779 1.876 3,963 2,816 8.655 6,779 Opening net book value as at l February Closing net book value as at 31 January 390,000 390.000 3.228 1,352 390,000 390,000 2,873 3,228 Equipment is depreciated over 3 years on a straight-line basis. SHBC additionally owns the Baptist Church on Station Hill. This is not recognised on the balance sheet as there is no reliable valuation for the building available. Note 7: Debtors and prepayments The debtors and prepayments balance of £9,57012023: £9,732) includes £7,936 {2023". £8,190) relating to gift-aid receivable from HMRC. This is expected to be received within one year. 16
STATION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (Registered Charity 1132165)- Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 January 2024 Note 8: Loans Duringtheyear ended 31January 2024, SHBC paid É8,00012023.' £3,000) of the outstanding congregational loans leaving a balance of £30,000 outstanding12023: £38,000). This is a long term loan which has no fixed date for settlement. During the year, SHBC paid £27,75012023: £20,250} off the £180,000 10 year interest free loan leaving a balance of £69,000 outstanding12023: £96,750). £18,000 of loan repayments are due to be paid within the next 12 months. Note 9: Related party transartlons There has been no related party transactions during 202412023: none). 17