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← Hill Cliffe Baptist Church

2023-12-31-accounts

Hill Cliffe Baptist Church Annual Review of Church Ministries 2023/24

www.hillcliffe.info

May 2024

Introduction

Please enjoy reading this annual review of our church-led ministries at Hill Cliffe covering the period May 2023 - May 2024.

Leadership Ministries – report from Stuart McPhail

Our Leadership Team in May 2024 comprises our deacons Sarah Harris, Pam Lança Coelho, Graham Palmer, Joe Martin, and Tim Grainger - along with Steve Gray (Church Secretary), Tim Appleton (Church Treasurer), John Harper (Church Youth Worker), and Stuart McPhail (Minister). This team is called to serve the church in providing leadership for the various ministries and practical responsibilities of the church. Stuart continues to provide spiritual, pastoral and theological overview and direction for the Leadership Team and the church.

Teaching Ministry

Since May 2023, we have delivered Sunday morning teaching and prepared accompanying weekly Small Group studies on the following series (most recent first):

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting

During the Lent season we facilitated the reading together of Romans 8, verse by verse and prepared a schedule of daily prayer ideas. As in previous years we encouraged the sharing of how we sensed God speaking to us personally and corporately in Small Groups and in Church Members’ meetings. The Leadership Team then discussed and prayed over the feedback to discern an emphasis for our vision in 2023-24.

Sunday Evening Prayer Gathering

A small group of people from the church have met each Sunday evening 6-7pm for coffee and prayer. It’s a powerful time for meeting with God.

Church Communication

Our Private Prayer and Support Facebook page connects 82 adults across our church family for prayer and support – with 44 more receiving the updates via the email News Feeds.

The Public Hill Cliffe Facebook page has 222 friends, many of whom are not part of the church congregation. It shares news of services, events, and messages from the church to this wider community.

Our weekly E-Mail to the church family goes out to 153 adults, and this

communication is printed and posted (or delivered by Leah) to those not on email each week.

My thanks also to those who have served the church in preparing communion and collecting the offering in services.

Baptisms

We were delighted to baptise Eric and Hazel during this year.

Administration Ministries – report from Leah Cross

My job is wonderful. I love dealing with all the lovely people from our church. There are lots of unpredictable one-off things that come up, but here are some of the regular tasks that I do:

I am in the church office Mon – Thurs, 9:30-2:30 and am always glad of a quick visit or ideas for improvement!

Welcome Team – report from Pam Lança Coelho

The Welcome team is the first point of contact for those attending our Sunday services and other events and demonstrates the vision of Hill Cliffe to be a place of Welcome. Meeting people with a warm smile and friendly approach is the simplest

way we can share Jesus' love with others and positively impact any experience of attending church. This ministry has been faithfully supported during the past year by 5 teams of volunteers, working on a weekly rota, who are responsible for making sure the church is a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all seeking to encounter God and fellowship with others.

Hill Cliffe is grateful to those who have recently stepped down after a prolonged time of service and to those who have stepped up to join the team and support this ministry.

Connections Team – report from Rhys Chong

The connection team has increased in size to include 6 members now. Eleanor has now left the team.

We have been chatting with new guests as they come into church and plan on partnering them up with a connection team member to provide a contact point for the church and accompany them on their first visit. We have spoken to newcomers and they think approaching guests subtly is the preferred method of approach and no signage is needed. Providing information about the church is an idea to discuss with Stuart and the Leadership team as we have a great opportunity to impact new guests on their first visit to Hill Cliffe.

The church family are doing a great job introducing themselves to guests please keep it up. It is having a positive impact.

Graveyard and Church Grounds Maintenance - report from Peter Hindley

Buildings Maintenance - report from Stuart

Leah continues to arrange our regular compliance and maintenance checks for the church property. I’m grateful to the informal DIY maintenance team led by John Harper who have done a great job with our building upkeep. Thanks also to Keith and Liz who clean the church seats throughout the year. In that last few months we have had a roofing contractor replace our entire flat-roof structure above the church entrance, kitchen and toilets area, and they have replaced dozens of slates to the roof areas. We have some major replastering and repainting works scheduled for Chapel House.

Children’s Ministries – reports from Jane Quinn

Sunday Mornings

Numbers at Junior Church have remained steady over the last year with about 30 children on the register. Our structure has remained the same also - on the first, third and fifth Sundays the children are taught all together in a Junior Church service. On the second and fourth Sundays the children are split into groups. Between April and July 2023 we continuned using the GoTeach resources looking at Jacob and Joseph (Genesis), the Early Church (Acts) and Jesus beginning his ministry(Gospels).

In September we moved to using an online resource, Energize, produced by Urban Saints. It seems to have been well received and has offered the team a fresh approach to planning and delivering sessions. We have worked through series on Christian Foundations, Prayer (tying in with the whole church focus on prayer), Christmas, Jesus’ “I am” statements and Lent/Easter. We are currently looking at a series on Christian commitments.

In September we also went back to splitting the children into three groups. This is ideal as it lets us focus teaching to a narrower age range and the children are in smaller groups. Sadly in April, due to a shortage of teachers, we had to revert to two groups. Hopefully this will be a short term arrangement and we are anticipating returning to three groups in June.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the whole Junior Church team for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the children at Hill Cliffe.

Day Camp 2023

Day Camp 2023 was a great week where we had 112 kids and a great team of all ages. We spent the week crafting, baking, running around, soaking each other, and plenty of silliness but most importantly learning about the life of Jesus and all joining together singing praises. We continue to be thankful for a team that work well together no matter what comes, this is an amazing mission for the whole church either in person or supporting us in prayer. We pray that the seeds and connections planted in Day Camp in both the kids and their families bear fruit; we don’t always see people’s journey but faithfully continue to show life in all its fullness. This year’s Day Camp Core Team (Ruth Hughes, John Harper, Pam Lanca Coelho, Paul Harris and Jane Quinn) have already been meeting to plan this year’s Day Camp (19th – 23rd August). Please pray about whether you could be involved this year in this amazing outreach opportunity and for the children that are attending this year.

Light Party 2023

26 children (including children from church, Excite Club and Bridgetots) attended the Light Party in October. Numbers were slightly lower than in previous years, however it was half term. The party was a great success (including a bouncy castle this year) and the talk by Andy Hayes was very well received. We had a small but effective team of adults and youth and it was great to see people of all ages working together to create a successful event.

Excite Club – report from John Harper

We meet every Thurs of the school term, from 3.45-5pm.

We have a fantastic team on Thurs afternoons, with Debbie, Laura, Eileen, Pauline, Judith, Grace (intern), John Harper (very ably assisted by Emilie, Mary, Elijah, Charlie, Luke, Dan, Fin and Zach). It is brilliant to have such a great group of young people offering to regularly serve and connect with our kids in this way. 3 of the lads are not from church backgrounds but have come through our Thurs night youth

club to serve. Pray for them, that they will have a life changing encounter with Jesus and that the other young people would encourage them to step out in faith. Anien started the year in a joint leadership role (with Laura and John) and has stepped down due to her move back to South Africa. Both Anien and her son were a great blessing to Excite Club and are missed.

We need to recruit a new adult leader for Sept 2024, so if you could be part of this, come and have a chat with me.

The numbers have increased and the makeup of the group of children changed after Day Camp last year. Now we have a 50/50 split between children who attend church with their families on Sundays and those who have never done that. The structure of Excite Club is that the kids start by doing a craft (with Laura) or play an informal game of something else, while toast is served (by Pauline and Eileen). We gather and hear from the kids, about how their week has been and anything big that is coming up for them. Then it’s an interactive teaching session and finally we have a game altogether.

We have focussed our teaching programme this year, on a video series called ‘What’s in the Bible?’ which has led the kids through the first 7 books of the Bible so far.

There is a lot to be thankful to God for, around Excite Club, this year.

Youth Work Ministries – report from John Harper

A significant part of our youth work now involves a large number of young people and young adults volunteering and serving in various areas of ministry. We have 8 volunteering at Excite Club, 6 (growing to 10 in Sept 24) with HC Youth Club and another 6 on a Friday Night at the Shack and on the AstroTurf. We also have 2 who come into school with us on Wednesday for our lunch time drop-ins. It is fantastic to see many of our young people signing up to help or lead at Day Camp this summer.

Grace Savage has joined our youth work (as an intern) in Jan and provided a necessary input into our ability to connect and encourage younger girls at our church. Grace has focussed a good amount of time in meeting (1 to 1) with a number of them and helping them to feel connected together at church. Grace has also made an invaluable input when it comes to getting our Social Media connections going with young people. Grace has started our HCYouth Instagram page, which will be a vital tool in connecting as we go forward.

Sunday Mornings still have 3 age specific groups but, at the request of the young people (following a survey of them in sept 23) we have often combined the 2 younger groups on a Sunday morning. This has come from a desire to be together for large parts of the morning. Therefore, we often take a full minibus down to the Shack and only split the groups (after the teaching section) for a short period, so they can chat about the topic with their peers, in smaller groups. The oldest group continue to follow the main themes of the adult morning service, while the high school age groups have a change in theme, more or less every 4 weeks. The 6th form+ group has struggled to always be viable this year, but this is mostly due to a

large group of 6th formers wanting to stay in the larger group, as they enjoy being at the Shack (altogether) more than sitting in my untidy, boring office! The ideal would be to put a 2nd floor on the Shack and have all the young people there together on a Sun morning and to split them into 3 groups, over 2 floors. As it stands the Shack doesn’t have capacity to host 3 group conversations well.

Recently Cathy has stepped down after an incredible 35 years of serving our children and young people. We are so thankful to Cathy for giving her time and gifting so that our children and young people could benefit from her love, faith and hope. Cathy has regularly demonstrated so many of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, during her service and we will miss her input, but are so thankful for everything she has given to point children and young people to Jesus.

Sunday Nights have restarted this year, but with a different focus. We have used Sunday nights as a place where some of our older youth can gather and mix together with young people who wouldn’t normally attend church on a Sunday morning. We have got to the point where we have launched a regular Youth Alpha on Sunday Nights at 7pm. This new group make food together, eat together and then watch the 20 min video together (with 3 breaks for questions). Pray for those who are part of this new venture.

HC Youth Club on Thurs evenings regularly has 20-30 young people involved in this weekly ministry (including the young leaders who compliment the 8 adult leaders) We have spent some of this year working our way through the questions that the young people have posed around faith (90% are not part of our church on Sunday Mornings).

45 of the wider church family were involved in attending Limitless Youth festival near Stafford in August. About 20 volunteered to help run a venue (The Hangar) and the other half were able to attend as delegates. This week gives young people a great opportunity to make space to hear from God and respond to Him.

A big word of thanks to all of our youth work volunteers who have continued to volunteer with a servant heart and great gifting.

In Youth Work we want to get back to asking the following 2 questions regularly to our young people and each other:

What is God saying to you/us? And what are you/we doing about it?

Small Group Ministries – report from Joe Martin

Our seven small groups continue to be places of discipleship, prayer, fellowship and pastoral support to our church family at Hill Cliffe. I would like to acknowledge our amazing small group leaders who faithfully serve their groups week after week. Without their hard work and dedication our small groups would not be possible. I would also like to acknowledge and thank those (primarily Stuart) who prepare our study notes and questions every week. These notes are a real blessing to our small groups.

We have seen many of our new members of the church family engaging with small groups. This is really encouraging. However, our existing groups cannot accommodate unlimited numbers and I am keen to identify potential new leaders

to establish new groups to ensure we have capacity for the entire church family to be part of a group.

At Christmas Sarla stepped back from running the Ladies small group. Thanks to Emily and Sarah who have stepped up to lead that group.

Eleanor’s move to Harrogate has left huge gaps in many areas of church ministry including the small group she was leading. I’m glad to report that this group will continue under new leadership. More on that will follow in coming weeks as we formalise the new arrangements.

Please pray for our small groups and their leaders. Small groups are a foundational part of our church structure. They are primary sources of spiritual growth and pastoral care. As such, I would encourage everyone to engage with a group. I firmly believe that God blesses those who prioritise Him in their lives.

Hill Cliffe Women – report from Sarah Harris

This year women’s ministry has been relaunched under the umbrella of “Hill Cliffe Women”, led by Sarah Harris and Pam Lanca Coelho. The aim is to have a range of events, led by various women within the church community, rather than a one-sizefits all event. So far we have had film trips and an invitation to attend a women’s conference, with an open garden event planned later this summer. The hope is that this umbrella model will encourage new ideas and share the load of organisation, whilst simultaneously offering more and varied opportunities for women to connect. Pam and Sarah will continue to be the point of contact for event ideas, with details shared on the website as well as by email and welcome conversations with anyone who has an idea they wish to explore.

Men’s Ministry – report from Graham Palmer

This continues with a steady number of around 15-20 men of differing ages and backgrounds on a Saturday morning.

The team consists of Joe, Keith and Graham, helped by the kitchen team of Colin, Dan and this year Parth.

We try to meet monthly but at times has been alternate months due to availability. The format is unchanged. Usually, we start with a time of reflection, often based on Stuart’s teaching series. Then we enjoy a time of fellowship and a lovely breakfast, followed up by a period of prayer.

Prayer is a particularly important feature, especially after our focus on developing prayer as a church over the last 12 months, and we will continue to make this central to our time.

We welcome all men of Hill Cliffe to join us from 8 to 9am or longer.

Worship Ministries – report from Tim Grainger

I’m grateful to be able to work with such a helpful team and to have to very able worship leaders, Andy and Laura to work alongside. We have a good amount of folks helping across the teams, however there is always a need for more support on sound, AV and camera as if we have a week when someone is unexpectedly not

available that can stretch those already involved. Please do consider if you are able to get involved.

It is encouraging to see the congregation really engaging with the worship, it is noticeable how in the past year or so there seems to be a growing sense of participation.

Our practice time is generally quite limited, restricted to a Sunday morning. The reason for that is that we cannot find an evening in the week that suits for a practice due often to other church meetings such as home groups and family commitments. In due course we may be able to expand upon our practice time. Prayer would be appreciated for new worship leaders to come through. Whilst I really enjoy leading, Sundays can be very tiring, and it would be good as well to have new people involved bringing a freshness to worship.

Ultimately God is faithful and pours out such grace that it is a privilege to be involved in facilitating worship at church.

Finance Ministries – report from Tim Appleton Accounts year ending 31 December 2023.

The year ended with an income of £164,636 and with £149,628 of expenditure. This is a Surplus of £14,166 for the year. This is the first time since the Coronavirus Pandemic that we have recorded a surplus. It should be recorded that regular giving from those within the church has increased and additionally during 2023 there were a number of generous one-off gifts from those attending the church. Our expenditure was lower than expected mainly due to the works on the roof not being completed. This work, and its cost has therefore transferred to 2024. Since the budget was set for 2024 a number of additional maintenance needs have been identified, including repairs to the rendering on Chapel House and, work to repair the damage done to the church drive by tree roots. Alongside the additional expense, we will need to continue to balance our accounts in the coming years and rebuild our savings a little. The Pandemic showed us how important it is to be financially resilient.

As a church we want to be good stewards of what God gives us but also to be generous. In 2023 we gave £31,043 to a number of missions, ministries, and charities, locally, nationally, and globally. This equates to 19% of our income. In 2023 we chose to continue to support mission partners to whom we have longstanding commitments. Also, we have restructured the remainder of our regular giving to allow us to be prudent with what we have, and with freedom to react as finances improve.

Without the generous giving of our church members, both regular donations and one-off gifts, we would not have a church. My personal thanks to every one of you. Thank you for the value you place on Hill Cliffe and all the things it is to you, our community, and our mission partners around the World.

Outreach Ministries

Local Mission/ Outreach Partnerships – update from Stuart

We continue to partner with several local outreach ministries – including Bridgewater Churches Together; Walking Day; Church Warrington; BYP; Active Hope; YFC; Street Pastors; The Church at Creamfields - providing volunteer, prayer and (at times) financial assistance from our church to support them.

Stockton Heath Festival – report from Pam Lança Coelho

In July we opened up our Church to the local community as we participated in the Stockton Heath Festival, hosting The Primary Schools Gospel Concert and a community film night. Tickets to the Gospel Concert sold out quickly and saw children from local schools perform a selection of gospel songs to a packed audience, predominantly made up of their relatives, friends and school personnel. This event presented a valuable opportunity to convey the gospel message to the audience with the Christian significance of the selected songs and their contemporary relevance being communicated throughout the evening. All the participating children were presented with a medal for taking part and were invited along with the adults, to enjoy refreshments that had been generously provided by the Hill Cliffe church family.

The Film Night was another ticketed event forming part of the festival program and was equally well attended, with Hill Cliffe providing refreshments to all who came along. Both events showed Hill Cliffe to be a place of Welcome where the Good News of Jesus is lived out and shared with our community.

The Church gazebo was present on the festival field during the weekend and was in a great central location, allowing passers-by to learn of Hill Cliffe's ministries, accept invitations to Church events, ask for prayer or simply chat while their children engaged with the craft table. Prayer requests were shared with the wider church family during the weekend which added valuable support to the work of our church on mission in the community. Hill Cliffe’s presence on the festival field is a great opportunity to connect with festival goers, share faith and represent our Church family to the people in our area who are loved immeasurably by our gracious God.

Thanks must be extended to all who helped at these events and supported the vision of Hill Cliffe to be a place of welcome to all.

Stockton Heath Walking Day – report from Pam Lança Coelho

In July Hill Cliffe had the privilege of leading the service in Alexandra Park before the procession began. The theme for the walk was based on Jesus’ ‘I am’ statements from the gospel of John and Stuart provided a short message on this theme to the gathered walkers from the participating local churches

accompanied by Hill Cliffe musicians who lead the worship. As the procession made its way through Stockton Heath each church carried a banner powerfully declaring the promises of Jesus to all who lined the streets to watch the walk and we continue to pray for the impact of this witness to bear fruit in our community.

Many thanks to all those who volunteered to be road marshals and help with the staging set-up in the park, without whose help this valuable event could not take place.

Hill Cliffe Café – report from Amy Harper

This year cafe has gone from strength to strength where each Friday morning the church is opened up to the community, offering a warm and vibrant atmosphere, and of course the spectacular range of homemade cakes.

We welcome a mix of people, ages, and backgrounds and were recently treated to a Japanese piano recital!

We are entirely reliant on our committed, faithful team both in person on a Friday and those generously baking.

Pam has understandably stepped down and was taking a lead on the sanctuary space. It would be wonderful to consider how to facilitate next steps for people on their faith journey.

Creation Care – report from Paul Harris

The Creation Care group has a committed group of 7 members, led by Paul, Lynda and Janet. We have continued to meet this year to explore ways we can help look after God’s world - as a church, as individuals and using our influence in the wider community. So far we have led a service, run a swapping event and post weekly eco tips in the newsletter, as well as make changes to our recycling system. We have lots more ideas in the pipeline, both big and small! Please keep a look out for what’s coming next and get in touch if you would like to get more involved.

World Mission Ministries – report from Mary Evans

Part of our role as disciples of Jesus, individually and corporately is to take up the challenge Jesus gave us to ‘go into all the world’ to make other disciples, encouraging and enabling them (Matt. 28:19, Acts 1:8). We can’t all go, but we all can and maybe must be involved in praying and giving so that the whole global church that we belong to, can be strengthened. . So, looking back over the past year what have we at Hill Cliffe been doing to fulfil the commission that Jesus gave us.

We have supported organizations like Tear Fund, Christian Aid and Fair Trade. But we have had special personal commitments to our own Church members, Stephanie Darling and Nick and Liz Byles, and to BMS World Mission.

Stephanie works with SIM in Malawi. In the last year her role has developed in a new direction. She is no longer working predominantly at the Bible College, although she is still involved there, but is now concentrating more in a new developing, developing and training the churches in helping the healing from the trauma that has been so prevalent in Malawi in recent years, caused amongst other things by a number of ongoing natural and human-caused disasters. She is very good at keeping us informed about what is going on over there and I know many of the church members pray for her and her work on a regular basis. It would be lovely if

some of the newer members who haven’t met Stephanie could send her a message introducing themselves!

Nick and Liz who worked for several years in Cambodia, latterly with Engineering Ministries International, are now based in the UK. Nick is involved in project management of a number of EMI projects round the world, supporting and mentoring the teams on the ground. Most of that is done on-line but involves trips at times to different sites – the next one is likely to be to Central America. It has been good that we have had chance to hear from them personally about the work that they have been doing. If you are new to the church do take the time to ask them about it, so you can pray specifically for them.

We are also committed as a church to support BMS World Mission, primarily through supporting specific Mission Partners. In the past we have supported, amongst others, Arthur and Louise Brown who worked in Lebanon, Paul Roach who worked in Asia and later India, and more recently Dan and Annie Dupree in Albania. We are still supporting and praying for the Tek Ura project there that Dan and Annie founded and developed. However as the church in Albania has grown so much in recent years, BMS has withdrawn from sending UK missionaries there and Dan and Annie, though still linked with Tek Ura are no longer with BMS and are based now in the UK.

I have therefore been negotiating with BMS for us to find a new Mission Partner. They have made two suggestions that link in with our previous connections. They are now trying to develop a whole world concept where mission partners might not be from the UK so that we really are partnering with the whole world. The two suggestions are Oksana (not her real name for security reasons) who has recently gone out to Asia and after language learning and orientation will be doing work very similar to that of Paul Roach when he was in Asia. The second suggestion is a Lebanese man who is working with leadership and development in one of the organisations that Arthur and Louise Brown were involved with.

Both countries are very difficult countries to live and work in at the moment. They will probably not be able to visit Hill Cliffe, but in today’s world contact via Zoom is so easy that we will be able to learn about them and know their needs for prayer by visual as well as written means. More details about them both will be included for you to look at and pray about before the church meeting so that a decision can be made at that time.

Pastoral Support Ministries – report from Graham Palmer Stuart and Graham Palmer oversee this ministry.

Following teaching from Stuart we have as a church encouraged an atmosphere whereby, we all try and look out for one another pastorally, so called one-another ministry. House group is an example where this takes place on a weekly basis, through chat and prayer.

Of course, there are occasions where Stuart is involved from the outset, particularly in serious illness, bereavement, or spiritual matters.

Stuart and Graham meet periodically to review the church congregational list to identify if support is needed and how this might be achieved, so that we hope to be proactive and reactive.

Hill Cliffe church website summarises this on the Pastoral Support page, and also has information on trusted professional agencies which can signpost people as appropriate.

Over the last 12 months we have developed a Hill Cliffe Practical Support Group. Currently this has a membership of 19 people, who have volunteered to be available to help in a variety of practical ways. Examples this year include providing lifts to take people to hospital or doctors’ appointments. Also providing meals for individuals and families who for whatever various reasons are having difficulties. The baton of looking after Prayer Chain has passed from Eleanor to Deborah. We are grateful to Eleanor for many years of faithful service and to Deborah for taking this forward. After much prayer, Deborah has renewed and refreshed Prayer Chain, now Praying Hands, Praying Hearts . We’ll be hearing more about this in the coming days. Our grateful thanks to all those who support this ministry.

Funeral and Graveyard Support

We are very grateful to Stephen Kent along with Leah who have taken on the administrative and coordinative responsibilities for this ministry. Stephen also acts as the point of contact for funeral directors, bereaved families, and graveyard enquiries.

Church Membership at Hill Cliffe:

There are 3 key elements to how we describe Membership at Hill Cliffe. Church Members are:

COMMITTED – to our Church Family, our Church Covenant (Values), our shared Vision Emphasis and our Leadership.

INVOLVED – in our Church Family Gatherings, Ministries and Vision

INVESTING – in our Church Family Resources and Vision Emphasis

If you would like to explore becoming a member at Hill Cliffe please contact Stuart

Annual Church Covenant:

The Church Members at Hill Cliffe have committed that each year we will covenant together on the basis of our agreed Church Values (Based on Baptist Union Values) in God’s strength. Please see Appendix 1 below for the Annual Covenant.

This covenant represents our desire and aspiration to live a godly life in following Jesus, and to do so with the support, fellowship and accountability of our brothers and sisters in the Hill Cliffe Church Family.

What it does not represent is the pretence that we are going to fulfil our aspirations perfectly. The Church Members are requested to make a fresh commitment to this Covenant each year at our AGM.

Appendix 1: Annual Church Covenant

Annual Church Covenant

As a Church Membership we have committed that each year we will covenant together on the basis of our agreed Church Values (Based on Baptist Union Values) in God’s strength. This covenant represents our desire and aspiration to live a godly life in following Jesus, and to do so with the support, fellowship and accountability of our brothers and sisters in the Hill Cliffe Church Family. What it does not represent is the pretence that we are going to fulfil our aspirations perfectly.

We will make our new covenant at our AGM Church Meeting. Because we take this joint-commitment seriously, If you are not able to make it to that meeting, please indicate the renewal of your covenant via email to Steve Gray, steve.gray@hillcliffe.info or in writing a brief note.

Hill Cliffe Baptist Church’s Church Values

  1. We are a Worshipping Community

  2. I commit afresh in God ʼ s strength to…

  3. Maintaining a close relationship with God through regular Bible reading, prayer and spiritual disciplines.

  4. authority of God ʼ s Word as the final arbiter on all issues.

  5. Honouring God in all my relationships – in private, in public, in the home, in the workplace, or in the church – in my words and my actions.

  6. Worshipping God together in the gathering of our church family on Sundays and in the various other family gatherings for prayer, ministry and fellowship.

  7. Worshipping God in actively participating in obeying His missionary call.

  8. John 4:23,24; 1 Corinth 12:11-13; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15,16; 1 Thess 2:8; Psalm 119:2

  9. We are a Missionary Community

  10. I commit afresh in God ʼ s strength to…

  11. ʼ ʻ

  12. Actively participating in God s missionary call to go and make disciples of all nations ʼ , in my family, my neighbourhood and my workplace.

  13. Sharing my hope in the One who is the way, the truth and the life.

  14. Actively supporting our missionaries and mission partners across the world in prayer and financial support.

Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Thess 2:8; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13-16; Phil 2:12-18

3. We are a Holy Community

Ephesians 5:1-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 1 Peter 1:13- 2:2; Romans 6:12

Romans 12:1; Luke 11:42; Hebrews 13:5; 2 Corinth 9:7; 1 John 2:2

  1. We are a Prophetic Community

  2. I commit afresh in God ʼ s strength to…

  3. Seeking to encourage and bless my church family in speaking and acting prophetically as I am led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and guided by God ʼ s Word and our Church leaders.

  4. Seeking to speak and act prophetically in our wider society in tune with godly wisdom, justice and grace – confronting evil, injustice and hypocrisy and challenging worldly concepts of power, wealth, status and security.

Romans 16:25-27; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Acts 2:17-19; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 13:1-3; Phil 2:12-18

  1. We are an Inclusive Community

  2. I commit afresh in God ʼ s strength to…

  3. Helping ensure that the gospel and the church transcend the barriers of language, race, class, age, gender and culture in the Christ-like love of God. John 3:16-21; Galatians 3:26-29; Revelation 7:9,10

HILL CLIFFE BAPTIST CHURCH

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENT ACCOUNT

Note 2023 2022
Receipts
Offerings 2 126,600 115,423
Income tax recovered on offerings 24,705 22,595
Youth and Children events 6,573 6,916
Rents and contributions for use of premises 880 660
Café and catered events 3,304 -
Graveyard 885 1,360
Other 1,172 2,382
Legacies - -
Interest 3 517 292
Total Receipts 164,636 149,628
Payments
Ministry 4 74,345 72,379
Mission 5 31,043 32,695
Upkeep of church premises 6 26,538 29,511
Administration 7 3,918 3,500
Children and Youth 8 9,206 9,516
Serving, reaching and discipling 9 5,419 3,403
Total Payments 150,471 151,004
Surplus (Deficit) 14,166 (1,376)
Cash balance at previous year end 31,820 33,196
Cash balance at current year end 45,986 31,820
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
Assets Note 2023 2022
Bank and other cash balances 28,083 14,435
BUC deposit account 17,902 17,093
Money received not banked
Assets Held for Church’s own use 10 3,233,685 1,540,142
Total Assets 3,279,671 1,571,670
Liabilities Note 2023 2022
Current Liabilities 11
Long Term Loans 12
Pension Scheme liability 13 - -
Other liabilities
Total Liabilities - -

The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out on pages [1 & 2] relating to the year ending 31 December 2023 are as approved by the deacons.

Signed: (Treasurer or other Deacon authorised to sign on behalf of all the deacons)

[Date]

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1.Basis of Accounts

These accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis and in accordance with Section 133 Charities Act 2011.

2. Donations and other income
Donations
Total Donations and Other Income
3. Investment income
Savings interest
Total Investment Income
4. Ministry
Staff stipends, NI and pension contributions
Manse costs
Study and conference expenses
Total Ministry		 2023
2022
126,520
115,423
126,520
115,423
2023
2022
809
292
809
292
2023
2022
67,713
67,128
4,131
4,185
2,502
1,066
74,345
72,379

Stuart McPhail acts as one of the church's trustees and receives remuneration and other benefits in respect of his services as Pastor, including the provision of manse accommodation [owned by the church]

5. Mission
Home Mission
BMS World Mission
Christians Against Poverty
Warrington Youth For Christ
Tearfund
Active Hope
SIM
Broomfields Youth Project
Message Trust
Warrington Street Pastors
Mission Aviation Fund
Open Doors
Sponsorship and Other mission
Engineering In Mission
Langham Partnership
Prison Fellowship
Christian Aid
TEK URA
Total Mission		 2023
2022
6,665
6,000
6,928
6,000
300
720
960
960
300
720
995
960
6,115
6,115
1,700
1,700
-
60
935
960
-
60
-
60
2,336
4,000
2,400
2,400
300
660
300
660
300
660
510
-
31,043
32,695
6. Upkeep of church premises
Energy/Telephone
Cleaning
Insurance
Repairs and maintenance
Equipment
Manse Maintenance
Minibus Maintenance
Graveyard Contractor
Total Upkeep of church premises
7. Administration
Printing and stationery
Subscriptions
Total Administration
8. Children and Youth
Resources and equipment
Day camp
Mission and other trips
Total children and youth
9. Serving, Reaching and discipling
Welcome and Stewarding
Teaching and Worship
Pastoral
Adult/Family outreach
Investing in leaders and discipleship
Kitchen/catering
Total Serving, reaching and discipling		 2023
2022
6,261
8,661
1,598
1,178
3,751
3,605
4,838
8,345
876
198
1,737
295
7,476
7,230
26,538
29,511
2023
2022
847
970
3,071
2,531
3,918
3,500
2023
2022
2,257
1,221
4,543
4,402
2,406
3,893
9,206
9,516
2023
2022
94
131
391
25
39
124
2,096
966
224
2,575
2,158
5,419
3,272

10. Assets held for the Church's Own Use

The church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the church’s custodian trustee [the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd]:

Church Premises and Land, (Including Burial Ground), at Red Lane valued in the accounts at £2,632,505 based on insured value

Church Manse at 15A Cobbs Lane valued in the accounts at £449,520 based on insured value

The church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with an insured value of £151,660

11. Current Liabilities
Cheques written but not cashed
Total Current Liabilities
12. Long Term Liabilities
Long term liabilities
Total Long-Term Liabilities		 2023
2022
-
-
2023
2022
-
-
-
-

13. Pension Scheme Liabilities

The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. Since 1 January 2012, benefits have been provided through a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan.

A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit. The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022.

The Church has been advised that the estimated cost for the church to buyout their Pension Scheme liabilities at 31 December 2021 was £255,000.

At the end of June 2022, the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (‘Just’) to secure members’ pension benefits under the Defined Benefit (‘DB’) Plan. This agreement is referred to as a ‘buy-in policy’. It follows a similar agreement with Just in 2019 that covered most pensions in payment at that time. The combined agreements mean that Just are now providing financial backing for all DB pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan.

The cost of such policies is largely driven by financial markets and these have moved substantially in the Scheme’s favour, particularly over the course of the last few months. As a result, this transaction takes the Scheme out of a shortfall position for the first time in two decades. Although risks remain, the Baptist Union and the Trustee of the Scheme have agreed that deficit contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan will reduce to just £1 per month from August 2022.

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended 31 Oece(￿6c￿ 2oL Charty no (rf any) 1154511 Set out on pages I report to the truslees on my examination of the aCc￿nts of the above chantyllhe Trusf) for the year eThJed 31112 12trL3 As the charity's trustees, y(MJ are resw)nsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act"). Responstbilities and basis of report I retx)rt in rewt of my examina1m￿ of the Trusvs accounts carri&J out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in caryiro my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions gNen by Ihe Charity Commission uThler section 145151{b} of the ACL Independent fft charity's grcss income exceeded £250.IXKI and l am qualrfied to examinerfs statement ufKlertake the examination by being a qualrfied member of linsert name of aPFI￿ab1e listed tXKtyI]. Delete I l rf not appI￿able. I have corn￿eted my examnation. I confirm that m malerial matters have come to my attention in C￿neCtIon with the examination (other than that dI￿￿sed bdow ') which gives me cause to believe that in. any malerial respect.. Ihe accounting ￿c￿d$ were not kept in accordance with ￿tIOn 130 of the Charities Act: the accounts did ￿t accord with the accounting records: the accounts did not cornpty wtth the applicable requirements ¢￿ceM1ng the form and c(Mlent of accounts set out in the Chartiies (Accounts and Rwrts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gNe a 'true fairf view which is rKJt a matter consdered as part of an independent examination. I have rK) concems and have corne across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a woper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Dale: 23 oq1202 Lis riL I Relevant professional quaiification(s) or body (if any): ABT IER Oct 2018

Addr￿. 11 Section B Disclosure Only complete rf tre examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, IrKlependent examilation of charity acCcMJn￿. direct*Jns aThJ guidance examirws)- Give here brief d•tsils of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018