rAe ￿e￿Con sAurcA Belong together, grow together, reach out together ANNUAL REPORT THE BEACON CHURCH 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Contents** **Secretary Report** ...................................................................................................................... 3 **Treasurer Report** ...................................................................................................................... 4 **Elder’s Report** ............................................................................................................................ 5 **Children & Youth Work Report** ........................................................................................ 8 **Preschool Report** ................................................................................................................... 10 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Secretary Report** Praise the Lord Welcome to this year’s annual report for the Beacon Church (Canford Heath URC). Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic this year’s report is simplified and much reduced. Unfortunately, our church building has been closed to all but our Church Preschool since March, however as the annual report testifies the church is not dead but fully alive through our Lord Christ Jesus. May I encourage you to read this year’s report and praise God for all the amazing work that He has done despite all the difficulties. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Lord for all who are part of the Beacon Church family and all who have done so much in the life of the church this year. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those who help with the Admin of the church, and all who help on the many serving rotas we have. I particularly want to note my thanks for Mary Barnett who after many years of service laid down the DBS Verifiers role and the oversight of the rota’s for the Welcome Team and Refreshments Team. Times have been difficult this year and look like they will continue to be challenging into 2021, however we can take heart that our God is for us and not against us. As we think of 2020 and look into 2021, lets remember how amazing our God really is. _Martin Woolley – Church Secretary_ 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Treasurer Report** I am sure that each of us are reflecting on a very strange year where everything we thought we held dear has changed! As I reflect on this year’s finances for the church, it has been strange, but, amazing that God has provided for us over the past year in ways that we could not have imagined. We have been able to bless our schools in a couple of ways in the later part of the year, by helping to fund necessary equipment for children and also to help with the Christmas parties for each of the Junior and Infant Schools. Although the building has only been used by our Pre-School this year, we have seen a reduction in utility bills and finally(hopefully!) sorted out why are bills seem to fluctuate for the Gas/Electric. We have seen an increase of people changing their way of giving which is a tremendous testament to the commitment of each one of you. I would also like to thank Carol Bull and Fiona Woolley for their continued work on the finances, without you both it would make my role a lot harder! As we look into 2021, let’s do that with a hope that we can meet together again soon and also for each one of us to look at how much God is asking us to give as we may have to seek to do ‘church’ in different ways! We know that God has a plan for the Beacon Church, let’s pray together that God will give us the wisdom and clarity needed to bring God’s plan into action and have the necessary finances to bring it into fruition. _Mark Maidment - Treasurer_ 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Elder’s Report** Well, what a year it has been! I as write this report times are uncertain again and we are having to limit contact with other people to help protect one another. Covid-19 has had such an impact on us all, both individually and as a church family, however we must remember that our God is awesome, amazing, and greater than all. As we reflect on the year of 2020 my thoughts go first to those who have lost friends and family. In particular we said goodbye to some beloved friends in John Pilbro, Mavis Stanyon and Dennis Cox. All will be missed greatly; however, we can find solace that they are now at peace in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. 2020 has been such a different year, although it did start in wonderful fashion with the baptisms of Ellie Coxen and Timothy Woolley. It was brilliant to see both young people declaring their faith before the church family. January also saw us host the Canford Heath Unity Service with St Pauls and Canford Heath Baptists, a wonderful time was had together in worship, word and prayer. We also had a visit from Jan Ransom who heads up our mission partner Flame International, see below for a short update on Flame International. We can’t think about 2020 without taking some time to reflect on the impact that Covid-19 had on all our lives. In March we all went into lockdown meaning everything came to a stop, including closure of the church building, meaning services had to be moved online. This was a really difficult moment for us all as we got used to the isolation of our homes, concern of the spreading virus and missing the contact and usual sense of home and family we get from meeting together as church. Thankfully, we have a God who provides for our needs and we were able to trust Him for all that we needed including learning new skills as we explored how to record and present online services and run midweek group session via Zoom. This was a really challenging period as we discovered the weariness of online content but the excitement of knowing that God can use technology to spread His Kingdom. As 2020 went on we explored the possibility of reopening our building, however the technical challenges of our building, particularly the blown air heating, and the vulnerable nature of many in our church family meant that the decision was taken to remained closed. 5 ## ANNUAL REPORT 2020 One of the positives to come out of the pandemic was the shared sense of purpose and this has been evident in the encouragement to pray for the various things. Prayer points and thoughts came from many members of the church family encouraging us to pray for one another and seek God. We have also been encouraged to have a wider prayer outlook with particular focus given to support for Boris Johnson and the government with all the critical twists and turns of Covid-19. Similarly, for the NHS, regarding supplies of Protective Equipment and strength, peace and protection for all workers including medical students who have prematurely taken up roles before completing courses. Another practical element that has come out of the past year is the growing support for the Foodbank. It has been great to see the supplies held in the church that have been donated by so many of the church family. Thanks goes to Keith and Julie for their time in collecting and delivering the foodbank supplies and more latterly to Vicky for also delivering them. Christmas was particularly odd this year as we all got used to having to spend Christmas without the usual celebrations and family events. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our usual Carol and Christmas Services, however Christmas was not completely missed as we put together advent bags for all to receive and be blessed by including a DVD copy of the Christmas service. Again, thanks go to Daniel Piggott-Genge for all the hard work in service editing this year, what would we have done without his expertise. As we look into 2021, we do so with hope in our hearts, trusting our amazing God for everything. We are excited at the opportunity to meet again in our building as a church family, hoping that it comes sooner rather than later. We also have the exploration with Canford Heath Baptists to look forward too and finding out what God has planned for us and them. As I finish this year's annual report one scripture comes to mind. Philippians 4:4-7 seems so relevant to the current circumstances of our lives. Let’s remember to rejoice always, trusting God for all things and to keep our focus on Him as we enter into 2021. Philippians 4:4-7 _4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus._ 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## Flame International Sadly, Flame had to cancel/postpone several missions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a visit to some refugee camps in Lesvos, Greece was made which enabled relationships to be cemented. This has resulted in a mission being set up for January 2021. Prayer has been requested that the Lord make this possible because of Covid 19 restrictions. The pandemic also enabled the Flame Trustees to take time seeking God regarding the future of Flame International and has led to a restructure and update in the administration of the organisation The FORGE and FIRESIDE courses have been going forward online with preparation for them to function as before during 2021. _The Elders_ 7 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Children & Youth Work Report** Well, what can we say?! We started so well with all groups growing and doing really well – and then March came and we, as quickly as possible, moved as many groups as we could online. Sadly, for obvious reasons, Church Cherubs (our toddler group) wasn’t able to have an online group, but all other groups, Energise, Ignite, Restart, God Squad and Conundrums all moved to online spaces with games and fun, and also time to chat and retain relationships. Before the summer, all of the groups had sessions every week, including all the way through the half term and right up until the last week of July. At this point, I want to say a MASSIVE thank you too all our leaders – Bradly, Susanne, Keith, Wes, Mark, Fiona, James, Josh and Trisha for being online EVERY WEEK for all these sessions too. Often, for lots of these leaders this was at the end of a working day when they were already tired, and probably had been looking at a screen more than they really wanted to. And yet they turned up, led games and sessions, had a laugh and made sure that the children and young people in the groups had a space to come, relax and for a short while, forget about the worries in the world around them. After the summer holidays, we took the decision to remain online rather than resume face to face youth and children’s work – for reasons which are apparent. But what was different this time, was that we had had the opportunity to plan and be prepared for what was to come. And therefore, all groups were able to take a much more Spiritual format, we have been working through the Bible with our youngest group, Energise. We have looked at what God calls us to do and how to make a difference with Ignite, and with Restart we have been looking at some material which explores Spiritual Disciplines. All groups have received this well, and because of the themes and strong faith element, we took the decision to not run weekly God Squad and Conundrums sessions, however we did manage to fit one in during the October half term and it was lovely to be able to make something together and to sing lots of our favourite action songs together again. As you can imagine, this year has been a tough one for youth and children’s ministry. There have been moments where it has been really hard, relationships are hard to build and continue in a room where everything is on ‘display’ and everyone hears everything. However, technology is amazing, and some contact with the young people and children is better than none. 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 The BIGGEST BLESSING is that since we went online, all the way back in March, we began praying at the end of each session, making sure that we ask the children and young people what they would like to pray for. NOT ONE session has gone by where at least one of the children or young people haven’t asked for prayer for something. Another advantage – because of our rules – is that the children and young people have to be somewhere where there are other people in their home. Therefore, every week, when we are talking about Jesus, the gospel, salvation and prayer – the whole family hear it! We have one family who now when it comes to prayer at the end, if the young person doesn’t say anything the mums head pops in and asks for prayer – and we have seen answers to prayer for her requests too! PRAISE THE LORD. Thank you so much for your prayers and support over the year – I know that myself and the team have really felt them holding us up. _Vicky Piggott-Genge - Youth and Children’s Pastor_ 9 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ## **Preschool Report** We continue to have 10 permanent staff in our team and 5 support staff helping us to provide extra care and bank cover. They attend our rolling programme of training some through the borough attending alongside other local preschools as well as in house training. We congratulate Aunty Clair for achieving the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children and Young People's Workforce - Early Years (Advanced Practice) and Aunty Michele for completing the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce. Our apprentice Gemma has completed her course and is continuing with training to achieve a Level 2 qualification. She continues to work with us as a bank staff member. We increased our fees in September to £6.50 per hour for all the children. We also have a consumables charge of 50p per session. These costs are very favourable compared to other settings as we try to keep costs affordable to our families. We continue to take children entitled to the 15 hours a week funding which is available to all children the term after their third birthday, and also the 30 hours a week funding which some of the children are entitled to. We also take children from aged 2 either those entitled to free funding or those who wish to start earlier and are able to pay. We have 41 children on our roll and 15 children booked in to join us in January, so numbers of children are good with very little space available. It seems this year that many of our funded children are attending more often than in previous years, this maybe because there are fewer opportunities for them to mix in other places at present and so many of them missed coming in the first lockdown. In order to make the best experiences possible for the children we have split our classes differently from this September and all of our younger children start out in the downstairs class that we call Rainbows and the older “getting ready for school” children come to the upstairs class we call Stars. This has been quite a change for the staff and they have settled well into two new teams able to really focus on the needs of the children in each class. Our preschool Committee consists of a parent from each class and church members. Currently Rebecca Holmes (from rainbows class) is our secretary and we have space for a parent from the upstairs class. The church representatives are Mark Maidment chairperson, Carol Bull treasurer and Vicky Piggott-Genge, we continue to be blessed by their support and encouragement. 10 ## ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Many of the things we have worked towards in the past year have had to change in light of Covid-19 and our staff team have been amazing. When we were closed in February we did not believe that we would not be returning until after the Easter break and then to only small groups of children. Whilst everyone was at home we were able to stay in touch with our families via our tapestry online programme and send them different themed activities and videos every week to support their children’s learning, encouraging the parents and supporting them as much as we could. Many of the families were able to send us photos and observations on their children’s learning whilst at home on the tapestry app. When we were able to have small groups back in the preschool, we had to follow protocol to decide who was able to come and who would have to wait longer. Not being able to help everyone who wanted a place was difficult. Staff who were anxious or shielding had to make difficult decisions and as some were unable to return one of our retired staff members came back to help us out in the summer term so that we could support more of the children. One of the biggest challenges during this time was the constantly moving rules and regulations and interpreting them, keeping the children and staff safe was and still is our first priority. In September we opened to all our children who wanted a space using all our staff team and making each of our classes a self-contained bubble. This has meant no mixing between areas, staff, children, and a big cleaning programme. Although we have fewer funded children this year it seems that they are attending more hours. The children are happy and settled and have adapted to the new routines confidently e.g. leaving parents at the door, handwashing multiple times etc. The children’s well-being has been a high priority, particularly dealing with their social and emotional development. They have also learnt about sharing and giving to others, this includes collecting food for the food bank and donating £100 to children in need. It felt sad not going into the church for our harvest and Christmas services, but Vicky made a recording for us and the children enjoyed their experiences very much. We are hoping to be able to take them into the church for Easter services. We also miss our weekly visits to Figbury Lodge and have sent the residents lots of pictures and craft. We needed to overcome the problem that families are no longer able to come into the preschool so we could not carry out our daily chats, regular meetings, promotion of home learning and special events throughout the terms. We were so happy that Tapestry, our online learning programme, was in place and that the staff were confident users, so that each family 11 ## ANNUAL REPORT 2020 can see how their child is progressing and share information with us. We also use phone calls and emails to share and inform families. Both classes have new mobiles so that we are not blocking the landline to families when a call to one family to discuss their child’s progress takes longer, it also means families can text when their child is absent. Our increased cleaning has meant we spend a much greater amount on PPE, but our local Tesco at Tower Park along with many of our families have donated extra supplies to us helping to offset some of this cost, we are very grateful to them all. We review all our policies annually, this year there have been major changes and additions to the policies particularly Safeguarding, wellbeing and infection control, the changes were shared with all our families. One of our focus for this year is also helping the children to develop good fine motor control. The stars class have been having sessions everyday called fiddly fingers and the rainbows class lot’s of play with tongs, paint, sand, dough etc. all these things really help to develop strength, control and confidence when they write and draw. Stars class have really enjoyed their music and dancing and all the physical fun in the sports hall, running, climbing, riding bikes, moving like animals. They have also particularly engaged with activities we have themed using stories such as the Gruffalo and Dear Zoo. This class is very good at role play and this is really helping them make friends and build relationships. Rainbows class have really enjoyed being able to have free flow play having the door to their classroom open into the garden. They have had lots of their adult activities planned outside and have loved the messy ones especially. Favourites for them have also been going on a hunt around the building for bears and dinosaurs and having music playing. One of our parents has recently commented “We thank you for everything you’ve done this year for ……. and all your hard work through the pandemic, we really couldn’t ask for more.” For the staff seeing the children developing and knowing the families support and appreciate what we do really makes it all worthwhile. _Anne and Heather – Preschool Managers_ 12 CANFORD HEATH UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY TRUSTEE'S REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2020 Reg15tered Charity No 1134115 CANFORD HEATH UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY CONTENTS Page Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the accounts Independent Examiners Report Canford Heath United Reformed Church Charity STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 2020 2019 Intomlng r¢$ourtes Tlthq5 and offerin8S Fundralslng and donatlon5 Youth Income Glft aid tax repayments Pre-sthool fees and vouchers Property Income Other Income Sponsorship and other fundlng Grant5 received Bank Interest Attlvlty Incorne DAF 51.476 650 676 7.019 10,160 2,170 106 225 160,085 12 761 44,373 2,449 8,867 12,792 6,717 193 431 132.310 25 2.228 615 Total In¢ornln8 r*5ourc•s 233,340 211,000 R•sourc•5 •¥pended VRC Ministry and M15slon fund 25,500 15,578 3.486 1,022 143.438 2,302 1.572 456 979 7,185 1,476 3,446 58 24.222 10.769 7,511 2,392 143,139 4,362 1.663 456 2,424 4,381 1,177 3,361 Repalrs and maintenan¢e Println& postage and 5ratlonery Staff expenses Caterlng and sundrles Misslon 8lvlng Accountancy fee5 Attlvlty expen5e$ Other reseurces Subscrlptlons and membershlps Pre-5£hool tonsumables Pre.School partle5 and 8Sfts Total resources expended 206.498 205,857 Net movement In fvnds 26,B42 5,143 Ricon¢lllatlon of funds Total furid5 brought foiward 52,386 47,243 Total funds tirrlÈd l*rw•rd 79.228 52,386 Canford Heath United Reformed Church Charity 8ALANCE SHEET AS A T31 DECEMBER 2019 2019 2018 Flxed a55et$ Tangible fixed assets Current 4¥sèts HSBC Current Account HSBC Savin85 Account HSBC Beacon Centre 8¥rclays 796 3,519 458 74,455 955 8,490 420 42,521 79,228 52,386 N•t •ssets 79,228 52,386 Fynds of ih• ch•rlty Retained profit5 79.228 52.386 79.228 $2,386 Approved by the trustees on and si8ned on thelr behalf by., Mark Moidment (Church Treasurer) Canford Heath United Reformed Church Charity NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 l Acfountlne policies The financial st3ternent5 are prepared on a receipt5 and payments b3sis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. the Staternent of Recommended Practice"Accounting and ReportinÉ by ChBrities" ISORP 20051 and agplicable accounting st3ndards_ The particular accounting policles adopted by the tiustees are described below. 2 Fixed assets The £hurch and manse buildings are owned by the URC Synod Trust who hold them on trust for purposes connected with Canford Heath UAC. Canford Heath United Reformed Church Charity INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 I report on the 3ccounts of the Charity for the yearended 31 December 2020 which are set out on pages I to 3. Respectfve responsibllities of the twustees and eAam4ner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitV5 trustees consider that an audtt is not required for thts period under settion 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Artl and thèt an independetbt exafflination is needed. It is my Tèspon5ibility to.. - examine the accounts Under settion 145 of ihe 2011 Art- - ttr follow the procedure5 laid down in the GeTreral Directions wven by the Charity Comrn155ion under 5ertion 14515llbl of the 2011 Act." and - to state whether particular matters have comÈto my attÈntion Basls of Independent eKaminÈrfs stattment My examination was £arried out in accordance with the General Dirertions given by rhe Charity Cornmi55ion. An examination includes a reviewof the atcounting reiord5 kept by the charity and a cornpari50n of the accounts presented with these records. It also Includes consideration of any unusual items ordisclosures in the accounts and seeking Èxp13nations from you a5 trustees concerning any such mattets. The procedures ndertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit, and £onseqvently no opinion is given as to wherher the accounrs present a'irue aNJ fairview, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the stateffleat below. Independent examlners statement In connectlon with my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. Ill which give5 rne reasonabte cause to bElievethat in any material respect the requirernents.. 4 to keep è¢countin8 Tecords in aicordance with sectioTr 130 of the 2011 Art.. and to prepare acocynrs which accord wth thè aciounting records and comply with the accounting requi￿rnents of the 2011 A have not been met- or 121 to which, in my opinion. aitentSon should be drawn in order to eThabiea proper understanding of the accounts to be rÈached. Charlotte Sherwood FCCA Ward 6osence 443 Ashley Road Parkstone Pi>ole BH14 OA Date.. -or- Canford Heath United Reformed Church Charity BALANCE SHEET AS A T31 DECEMBER 2019 2019 2018 FIKed assets Tan8lblè fYAed assets Curront •$5¢ts HS8C Current A¢count H58C Savln8s Acc¢uni H58C Beacon tentre Ircl•ys 796 3.519 458 74.455 955 8.490 420 42,521 79.228 52.386 N•tas¥•ts 79.228 52,386 Funds ol th• th*vlty Retained profits 79.228 Sl.386 79.228 52.386 Appro¥Yd by th• Eru5tee5 on and s*n•d on their beh4f by.. M¥rk M*ldment Ichufc rr•asur•rl