Year ended 31[st] December 2021
Anderson Baptist Church
Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2021
The trustees are responsible for preparing for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is necessary.
Reference and administrative details
Registered Charity Number – 1135765
Principal address c/o 6-8 Amherst Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1NU
Trustees
Rev. Alina Rai (Minister) Mr Deepak Sunawar-Rai (Deacon) – re-elected 20 March 22 Rev. Judith Wheatley (Minister and Chair) Mrs Maggi Taylor (Deacon) Mr Tirtha Rai (Deacon) – deceased February 22 Mrs Angela Lawrence (Deacon) Mrs Pat Dyer (Deacon) Mrs Luna Rai Pun (Deacon) Mr Emmanuel Essah – elected 20 March 22 Mr Pasang Tamang – elected 20 March 22
Independent Examiner
Philip John Nixon 28 Luckley Wood Wokingham Berkshire RG41 2EW
Charity Governance
Members of the Church are accepted in line with the Church Constitution (March 2009). Church meetings occur 6 times per year. In line with the Constitution the members appoint Trustees who together with the Ministers are responsible for the all financial, legal aspects and the day to day running of the church.
Objectives and activities
The principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The church also supports missionary efforts in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
Our principal activities are described in the Secretary’s report below. The church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that its activities clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Treasurer’s report for the March 2022 AGM
(This post was vacant at the time of the AGM, with Ms Luna Rai being elected at the meeting.)
Judith gave thanks to God that, although a deficit was expected, Anderson ended the year with a surplus of funds. The current year would continue to bring challenges but Trust in God.
Pat Dyer reported that there are monthly reviews of our finances in order that Deacons can be kept informed of any reduction in funds, so that Anderson could either look to increasing giving from the fellowship or reduce its spending.
“To be a community which shares Christ, makes disciples and reflects Gods glory”
Year ended 31[st] December 2021
Anderson Baptist Church
We pray for continued careful investment with a Christian focus.
Secretary’s report for the March 2022 AGM
Currently the position of Secretary is vacant. Therefore, this report is written jointly by the Ministers.
AGM Report 2021-22
We have much to be grateful in the life of our church family. Although there have been continual challenges of meeting in person, online or in a hybrid fashion we have found way to connect and encourage one another in faith.
We have been pleased to see a return to meeting in person on Sundays for worship and Thursdays for prayer and Bible study and with both these we have managed to maintain a zoom connection for those not ready to return to in person meetings. We have maintained an online presence with zoom meetings on Wednesdays for Nepali prayer and worship and facebook live reflections on Sundays.
Our church business meetings have returned to in person meetings, whilst our deacons meetings have remained on zoom. These have been supplemented with meals and opportunities for fellowship. We have continued to provide a newsletter via email and visits but have reduced its regularity to monthly. It is much appreciated by those who receive it, and particularly by those who are unable to get to Anderson regularly.
The change in church life has given us opportunity to experiment and reflect on the way we worship together, on the importance of fellowship and on the challenge of being bi-lingual and intercultural. Alina introduced a questionnaire on worship and fellowship which helped us reflect and then focus on our priorities of being inclusive and intercultural going forward, despite the challenge of it all.
During the year we have begun English classes on Fridays for those wanting to improve the English and this has been well received. We look forward to developing this with the support of 2:19 a local charity that aims to use language learning as a tool for mission.
We have also begun a regular sports evening on Wednesdays to give opportunity for fun and fellowship. Our thanks to Deepak Rai and Pasang Tamang for overseeing this.
The Scouting activities have been more challenging with the effects of Covid reducing the group – so that the Scouts closed but the Cubs and Beavers have continued. These groups offer a reach into the community that otherwise we would not manage. This is dependent on a lively and willing volunteer base. We continue to prayerfully consider the future of these groups at Anderson.
Toddlers have re started this year and they maintain a good number of children and parents at their weekly meetings which are supported by church members, Wilma Alleyne and Diane Lewis. We are thankful for their loving service.
We have been served by a faithful deaconate and are thankful for the way they alongside our ministers they have worked so hard to keep the church lively, loving and outward focussed.
Mick Court and Phil Wheatley have continued to keep a regular eye on our buildings and have provided a lot of practical support. In this coming year we are looking to improve the condition of the roof which will offer a long-term future for the next generation.
There have been a number of highlights this year
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Christmas Celebrations where we experimented with a different format of a more informal gathering around food, with carols ,reading and opportunity to sing in the street
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The baptism of Kenneth Essah, one of our much loved teenagers
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Receiving Priya Limbu, Dhanu Rai and Pasang Tamang into membership
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130[th] Anniversary Celebrations giving good opportunity to invite friends into the celebrations. We particularly enjoyed the support of Resonance Band in our worship.
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‘Raise the Roof’ initiative has led to significant steps in getting the funding our necessary building work to make the building safe for future generations.
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Supporting the work of the S.C.B. Association by releasing Judith to serve as Interim Moderator for a year.
The greatest sadness has been the death of Tirtha Rai, one of our deacons. He has been a most lively and loving member of Anderson and someone who gave himself wholeheartedly to serving God. As we mourn the loss of Tirtha we seek to give ourselves as he did – that the love of Christ might be made known to all who meet us.
We have used Psalm 34 in the last few weeks to remind ourselves of God’s love and faithfulness “I will extol the Lord at all times
“To be a community which shares Christ, makes disciples and reflects Gods glory”
Year ended 31[st] December 2021
Anderson Baptist Church
His praise will always be on my lips My soul will boast in the Lord Let the afflicted hear and rejoice Glorify the Lord with me Let us exalt his name together I sought the Lord and he answered me He delivered me from all my fears Those who look to him are radiant Their faces are never covered with shame.”
As we give thanks for Tirtha’s life and as we give thanks for God’s faithfulness to us we will pray for one another – we will praise God together and we will wait to see the radiance of God shine in us and through us.
Judith Wheatley and Alina Rai 14/3/22
“To be a community which shares Christ, makes disciples and reflects Gods glory”
CHARITY COMMISSION FOPÉP4GLAND E5 Recei tsand ments accounts CC16a Forlh• p•r from To 01A)Irx21 31112r3)21 Section A Receipts and payments Uthfe5trkted lunds RE5tithd ftsnds End¢>wment funds Toalfunds L4$1 y•ar A1 rwtsnjfrtsrn1rUll 47a .124 75 13.3E4 1,324 Cthtsrint 11.250 ross inmme ARI ,Y20 Inv•i ments ?ws WT 7.598 3.447 a.5 sjoo 4M72 Subth SJ,147 7•A17 SI16 l131 TgA27 2M1 S.OTJ 10,417 A6 CoshfuTh&s tsstyearend
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Restricted Endowment 81 Cathfvnd5 SO.101 41.25B 1,7F7 Total¢aJh lunds 71,360 R•itrict• funds End¢>wnnt funds fund iDmt£ 2,Dl0 4MI tails ¢•¢ B4 Assets retsined forth• I23.942 23A30 100tR 17¥170 Deai15 B5 Lhibilibes Signthre Print P4sWÈf 77rtv4 LL*NR o.OU-22 CCxXR2XcISsI
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Anderson Baptist Church On accounts for the year ended 31 Decemter 2021 Charty number 1135765 Set out on pages attached Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Chartties Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{5)Ibl of the Charities ACÉ, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordan with general Diredions given examinerfs statement by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the ¢harity and a comparison of the accounts presented WTth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audtt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection wtth my examination, no matter has come to my attention examinerfs statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act" and to prepare accounts which aOrd with the accounting records and comply the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met" or 2. to which, in my opinion, attenlion should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: JJ%_ Datè: 22 October 2022 Name: Philip John Nixon Relevant professlonal qualification: FCA Address." 28 Luckley Wood, Wokir¥Jham. Berkshire. RG412EW IER