Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2020
Registered Address
Thames Street, Wallingford, OX10 0BH
Charity Registration Number : 1132946
Trustees
The Revd Simon Hudson [Minister] Mrs Esther Mason [Minister] (until 31 July 2020) Mr David Bright [Treasurer] Mrs Judith Payne [Secretary] Mrs Gale Parlett Mr Nick Chancellor Mr Nick Gough Mrs Suzie Willers
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RT
Bankers
CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Ave, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner Mr Andy Avery
Website: www.wallingfordbaptist.co.uk
Annual Report for 2020
The trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020
Charitable Object
The Charity is governed by its Constitution (approved in July 2009) which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision making processes
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or following other modes of induction into the Christian faith to renew their commitment by their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The members met together on five occasions during the year and have responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Trustees, who together with the Ministers 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 Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in Church 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.
The Trustees are legally responsible for the overall management of Wallingford Baptist Church.
Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to 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 living Lord.
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 10.30am. There is a full children’s and youth programme during the morning services. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of these services.
The Church runs a series of Life Groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The Church is responsible for a Toddler Group which usually meets in the Church premises on Tuesday mornings, with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. This attracts a large number of parents and carers with their young children.
The Church has established the Thames Street Living Room that usually meets during the daytime every Monday on the Church Premises with the purpose of supporting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. During the time that it is open, tea, coffee and cakes are served together with soup lunches. A post Alpha course has also been run and there is a space for prayer.
The Church runs various events and activities for Children and Young People and for people in the Third Age. From time to time the Church runs courses in parenting, and courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity.
The church has usually supported the running of Prayer Spaces within local schools and Prayer Days at the Church.
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The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and are satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure, but believe that 2020 was another positive year in the life of the church despite the challenges that Covid 19 Pandemic has brought, and that it will be able to pursue its mission purposes in 2021 with renewed enthusiasm.
The Revd Simon Hudson continued to serve as the pastor, encouraging the Church Members to commit themselves to their faith, and to their service within the community. Under his leadership the Trustees continued to review various aspects of the Church’s life in order to set priorities and ensure as far as possible that the church fully reflects on its calling to be the Baptist part of the people of God in Wallingford.
Mrs Esther Mason served as a part time ‘Youth and Community Minister’ until 31[st] July 2020 . She has used her gifts to support members of the church, the youth and the community.
Mrs Heather Wright has served as a part-time Administrator which continues to result in improved communication and efficiency within the church. She has been instrumental in the Church embracing a new Churchinsight computer system which holds the church address list and diary and facilitates communication with church attendees
Miss Amanda Higgin served as a Volunteer Pastoral Assistant until July 2020. She has supported the pastoral leadership in areas of ministry to the elderly, supported the role of the Pastor, and we have been blessed by her preaching. She has also had responsibility for coordination of the weekly youth activities.
In September 2020 Suzie Willers was appointed as our part time Family Outreach Coordinator to be responsible for helping to support and develop outreach in the community to include Thames Street Living Room, Toddler Group and Oasis.
In October 2020 Rhonda Sparrey was appointed as our part time Youth Work Coordinator to help shape and develop our youth ministry centred around young people in our fellowship but also seeking to reach the wider Wallingford Community.
During the year 3 people were welcomed into membership. Three people resigned or were removed. At 31 December 2020 the Church Membership was 95.
Due to the pandemic there have been less opportunities to run large events. Sunday services have continued by using Zoom, Facebook and YouTube and meeting when able to and in accordance with Government guidance. This has enabled the fellowship to meet virtually each Sunday and they are joined by others who are not able to meet with their own congregations and draw in others who had previously not been attending a church service. We have also started a daily midday prayer (Monday-Friday) on Zoom. Laptops were provided for those who did not have them to enable them to connect virtually to services, midday prayers and life groups.
Life Groups and Missional Groups met in January and February as usual and were able to continue meeting either virtually or over Zoom, or in 6’s, when allowed for the rest of they year
Youth and Children’s work has been challenging during the pandemic. We have been able to continue to meet and offer support via zoom, doorstep chats, and WhatsApp messages of encouragement.
The Thames Street Living Room was open in January and February as a drop-in centre for anyone who wishes to meet with others during the day. This has been well supported both by people in the church and others from the local community. It has been open during the pandemic, whenever possible, including meeting in 6’s and utilising our outside space, to adhere to Government restrictions.
The Church continued to explore the vision of Missional or Geographic Life Groups and has encouraged members to form such groups where they can actively reach out and to seek to meet the needs of neighbours and local communities.
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The church also continues to work with other churches to provide the Wallingford Foodbank and the Wallingford CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Advice Centre. Three church members are Trustees of the latter and another member is employed as the Centre Manager.
Due to the Pandemic we were only able to support one prayer space in a local primary school.
In January an outreach event was held with at the South Moreton Boxing Club called “Tough Talk”, this was repeated in December over Zoom.
We engaged with the Wallingford Churches (CTWA) over zoom including a Good Friday Service and a week of joint midday services hosted by various CTWA ministers from Ascension Day to Pentecost. We were also involved with organising the Drive in Carols in a local supermarket carpark at Christmas.
Financial Review
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.
The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose.
The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements. The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy, and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.
The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.
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WALUNGFORD BAPTIST CHURCH FI11AK5TATEElir FOIIIHE YEAR EIIDED JI DECEMDER 21>20 GENERII RECEIPTS & PAYMEIIT ACCOINIT 2020 2019 Recei [That5 (her Inco Ir(% lax rero¥ered on Intetest £19 015 £336 £3.338 127 £160 £466 127 mi li ments MiThs ChJr(h rumin (r(h Miss Tot1 P £11931 £13 950 £109 667 £13 824 £13 026 Cash balance •t Trnnsl•r to Mlsslon Fund Trnnlr to Ca ltsi Fund Trnnsl•r ffom Holl Fund £31452 £0 £0 £47 MTSSIOI• FVIID RECEIPTS AND PAYMEIITS ACCOIWIT Noté 2020 2019 RÈCÈI £10 670 Éo É2.919 £634 £753 Other ¢JAbCS CTWA Offen Incr tsx recovered on Total RétS £1 469 Gfts to other tharab* o rrMberS ved ln rntssb)n £19 315 Total P £14 614 Trnnsler ffom General Fund r•NI £746 CAPITAL RESERVE FUND Recei Totsl A¥1p1S Nrte 2020 2019 mÈnts Tot41 P £1 Cash balante at tou$ Trnnsl•r ffom Gener& Fund C•sh b•l•ffi •t •ThI £0 r•NI Page 5
GIFTS FUND Note 2020 2019 Total R•0 Tot•1 P mthts 635 for th• Cash larKe at •¥lous Cash balance at rnent £0 ear end Summ of Funds Gw)eral Furkj M6sL)n Fur#J al RVe fvjr GiftsFu Note 2020 2019 £47,533 £746 STATEMEMT OF ASSETS AMD LIABILITESAT 31 DECEMBER 2019 Not 2020 2019 Assets £12 S91 £36 $43 C d s brrcthits Total Curnnt Assets Assets Hek1 ftr Clwrth's ov4n use Totsl AM•ts £2 016 152 Liabllltl•s Cwrert iktIeS pensi Il&)11 Total Llabllltlas Éo The accounts and StatenI of assets liabilitie5 set out on paBes l 2 rat1 to ther ending 31 Decemb# 2020 are as awoved tw ttr* Trust¢es. 5iÉThÈd..1th7 behalf olall thÈ trusteesl Date 171912 •iLfF. Page 6
I•OTESTOThE ACCOIIIITS accordarLe Sect)n 133 Charl1 Act 2011. l. Mlnlthy 2020 £36,79> £7,437 £rJ £421 2019 É37.107 £11,493 £477 £4)2 £0 £5,326 £4,872 £50,056 £54,353 Fee5 M)se (D#s Totsi Mlnlrtry LkntII 31 ALiJusi 2020, Asslstsrt xted as the (hwth's In5 r&thl 2. ChuKh Costs crjsts Wkn r& Ptr, rv Irterrt Inwwce RerS ftkntéfi ChLrth sal tt6ts sths IttsKes & 20 X119 £4,127 £5.146 £758 £733 £1,623 £i,J8 £9,C68 £7, £6,c £5.892 EIO,276 £2,845 £1( Éo £845 £1.350 Éo Éi( £823 £1.3l2 £33,730 £26.674 Pastoral Fth TrSnlvJ sLd5 Totsi thwch C••ts 3. Church ALtl¥ltl•s Core ChJr(h Chlkjren's lrt Ojb) Wtyk O•sls Ewérts 2020 £S20 2019 £0 1,711 É2,559 É274 Éi.(*O Q.084 Q792 £0 £6,(>JJ É5,5 £40 É1,696 £11,931 £1314 £I,IXlS 4. Ml••kn Ghlr¥ BMS Wc¥ld M6sx)n 1020 2019 £6.650 É5,763 £6,6SO ÉS.763 £650 Éi,s £13,950 £13,026 lThlNKluais Totsl Gl¥kng Page 7
2020 201• Amark1a (QAIe Fees) d Rc6 (C4F) ÉL,8 £2,1 £1,4 £634 Fl% Talerts É7,5 £5.2JS £i,th) M6Sh)n £1.7 pra Spxts É5C £5) ÉL.2 T&¥fvr•J Tcds a Mithi Urhytd M15Tth lo lp V• £2.120 £1,964 £10.965 £14.614 At the st¥t d 2020, É10,Cill was frcffi the knd b) (FeAte a C¥MI Rkn Fth Lhjthj 2020 a Gffts wagueared to ttkr6 ftcth ChJr(h mwntorsand ctss knY•ds •hYJ Ic gaff. The bae In fiJ)d ot thJo120 reprewts thLYch Is to rtknii irt) d tr to 19 hebj ty the thjrch's 5Olart trL& l.. rrf these In the rn we 1019 wlu•tlo Chwch. £1.635.lYJ) CoMents- £.0 Manse. £•.( Chur(h- El.677.510 Manst. £258.12 The Cl£h ts a wticpatir¢ emplryer the 8apts5t Pension Stheme 1.the Sthen-I, which 15 a Separate legal entsty administered by the pensi Trustee18aptist Pension Trust rned). Thp a55et5 01 t Schemt arÈ sÈpartty fvom ol tht EMlYraNj tathtPtvltsl¥mptyer Ihe Scheff. previwsly kTrJwn as the Baptist Ministe. PeIrn Fund. started in 1925. bJt was closed to future rual Ol dÈfIrd tnÈlits on 310ettrnbÈr 2011. Prr to this date thè main bÈnÈfit yovidod throuEh Defined Benefit (DO) Plan was a ppn5ion olon¢eiEhtieth ol final minimum pensirnable inconforea(h yearol pensiOnae se together additional pensIC in $tt01 wemiums paid on PenMonablt Intome in Èxoss ol Minimum Pènsionable Irbtort¥t. Since l Januay 2012, berlts been wovidpd through a Defined Contribution ILK) Mèn. A lormal lUIN of thè DB Pl as at 31 DÈtemt• 2019 by a Frfofttsx)nally 4uafthÈd Aciuary USI th Pi¢iÈrted Unrft Mthd. At th¢ Valuatsm datè the market value tsfthÈ DB Plan assets wa5 £298 mill. whil# the level ol assets needed to pay benefits was £316m. gfvlng adefick of £18m (equ1 to a past service fundi 0194%1. The Chw(h and the other Plicwir%empWrs in the DB Plan are cdlecti¥ety iesponsibk hyr this delicit. The next actuarial ¥atsaticvof 08 Plan within the Scheme is (kbe totake psxenoi later lh asat31 oefftber 2022. Page 8
Vnthr Sthoduk ol COnttions. the thurth rnakes a monthly ptyment in resFttt ol the oe xheme delicit. cur¥ently £352_42 whith will increast in line with incrtèst5 Minimum Pen5irTht Income. Tr Sthedule ol Conttibutions loiesee5 these contributions t£tinUIng tsntl June 2026. The penslon scheffle liabrlity shown in tht siatennt ol Assets arnt liabilit5 15 caloJlated as current rate per m¢)tsth mtsltiph'ed by the number ol rnnthsrernasning in the current SdduleolContritwJlions. which aftJunted to £23.2fA) a5 at 315t otitmr 2020. Tht ChLtrth has boon thsed that thÈestDmat¢d ¢ostlor the thuth to buyout thetr Penskn 5theme liabilities at 31 December 2020 wa5 £45,200. lh¥ •n not r•wirtd lor tIM5 yew w1¥ W al thi k¢ 1011 145(SXb) dtr¢ 05 k( N•M dr• i fjL£ts aos£, tkXJLJraQ), &pL7h/ </34 Page 9