## **MAGOR BAPTIST CHURCH** ## **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS to 31 DECEMBER 2020** Magor Baptist Church is registered as Ebenezer Baptist Church, Magor Reg Charity No. 1136850 sary ation Birthday Alleluia Christ is risen Christ is alive 204 Y•ars Thls w••k•Thd urday 4th and Sunday Sih J we are celebratlng! The Church is alive IS.'CIRRVING"U' J•ln h•lpkn yDfArs•lf t• ..ITHE CIIURC Fthd us ai htt Drba irt¢hurch.or WE know God SLO￿.. We aie5h3rlM9 asymbolof Go MkyyQu*t Happy Easter J@5￿5 Os 8]Qfivo Alleluia Rejoice Rejoice it 15 Pentecost Th•di￿1P￿S noioni•r hlddeThbehlThd I￿￿00r1 Chur£h Yetth• TU£SgIY25 F58RUARY dlulpl•%stlli Iii*t ￿h1nd T￿ChU￿￿of6ad Iflullof str*nith, dpow•r, dpr•iM. AT AUHRIAPTisr¢iiiR¢ 11. T•thJQ "PANCAKE DAYf' See what happened in in I we¢kJ tlme..... Fanning the Flame of PRhYER M4orÈaptlstChurch C¢(¢fvAte cfiYl4fftAS Witfi U5 You AY¢ invitel to The Church Wants lo Sa¥ i Bil TIMNK YOUI PRhYER zoom cfiri5tstla5 S¢rvict at 10am on Decem6¢ ALL WHO SERVE AND LOVE OUR VILLAGE whil¢ ihii p4nlgMie14rfs H BREAKF T*k•*¥ F￿th. Thi Ci-•p- Ciib ELAPTIST crtURC For theZOOM link¢onts¢t mlnSsterfrmayorbaptlst¢hiir¢h.ory.Iik ## **Ebenezer Baptist Church, Magor Registered Charity no. 1136850** ## **Annual Report Year Ending 31st December 2020** ## **Coronavirus Pandemic** The work of the Church has been seriously affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in March that continued to affect us throughout the remainder of the year. On 16[th] March we sadly had to take the decision to close the Chapel for all activities including Sunday worship. We were able to hold limited services from October to December with attendance restricted by the need to be socially distanced and no singing allowed before an upsurge in the virus forced us to close again on 8[th] December. However, with unstinting work of our Minister and his wife and the help of electronic technology, we have been able to hold a Sunday Service on the Zoom platform and have been joined by old and new friends across the country and overseas. Prayer meetings and Zoom club for the children have also taken place on Zoom. We were blessed that we were still able to congregate and worship together as a Fellowship even though we are in our own homes. In addition, the reflections published by The Minister and by Ann Nias and Dave Matthews have continued to sustain us through the pandemic. We are truly grateful to them for this work. All of our groups and outreach activities held in the Church have remained closed since March ## **The Diaconate (the Charity Trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church)** |Minister|Rev. Harry Place| |---|---| |Secretary|Keith Arnold| |Assistant Secretary|Val Jones| |Treasurers|Jonathan Rhodes and Davina Thomas| |Deacons|William Adams, Kathryn Allen, Chris Foster,| ||Phyllis Jones, John Loebl, Dave Matthews, Jean Smith| This year has been very different in the manner in which Leadership and Church meetings were held due to the Coronavirus pandemic meaning that from April onwards we were unable to hold meetings inside the Chapel. However, with the help of electronic technology (Zoom) the Diaconate continued to meet on 12 occasions in total for business meetings and twice for fellowship over the course of the year 2020. We have only been able to hold 3 Church Meetings - in January, March and November, to share information, and to make decisions together. During the period when we were unable to hold Church meetings the Diaconate governed the Church within the guidelines issued by the Charity Commissioners and the Baptist Union. We are also indebted to the small team set up to manage the constantly changing situation caused by the pandemic who met on 7 occasions. This year, at the AGM in March two deacons, Kathy Allen and Jean Smith, were due to retire having served 6 years on the diaconate, However, they agreed to stay on for a further year to help with the additional workload caused by the pandemic. We also welcomed two new deacons, William Adams and Phyllis Jones, and re-appointed the Church Officers for a further term. Jo Fenton having served as a deacon during the year resigned in August 2020. ## **CHURCH LEADERSHIP REPORT** ## **Achieving our objectives** Our principal activities as a Church are: Worship and prayer. The teaching and sharing of the Christian Faith. The pastoral care of individuals. Service to the local community and the wider world. This report gives an indication of the range of activities we normally undertake as a church and how we fund them. Our accounts show that we have continued to be able to be a generous charitable church supporting a wide range of projects both at home and overseas. One of our principal objectives in 2020 was to appoint a Community/Church worker and this was achieved with Thomasina Brown taking up her post on 1[st] November 2020. Harry, with the support of his wife, Alice, has settled into the Church and continues to lead it forward in achieving our aims of bringing more people to faith in Christ and building stronger links with the local churches, schools and the wider community. ## **Membership and Adherence** We note the home call of Rev. Patrick Ingle who served as the Minister of the Church from 1979 to 1992 and that of a faithful member - Dave Scott. During the year there were 2 new members. At the end of the year there were 101 members and some 30 adherents (people who would normally worship with us regularly or occasionally). ## **Connections** We continue to strengthen our relationships with our fellow Baptist churches at Caldicot, Underwood and Gaerllwyd under the umbrella of the Junction 23A initiative. In addition, we are working with Jeremy Lock, South Wales Baptist Association and the Presbytery in Wales in seeking to plant a new Christian centre, built on Baptist principles, to replace the Presbyterian church in Sudbrook. Sadly, due to dwindling numbers, the Baptist Church at Penhow was closed this year. We were unable to meet up with St Mary = s Church in Wales this year for our normal joint services. However, our joint service with Caldicot and Underwood did take place (by Zoom) at the beginning of the year. With the appointment of our Church/Community Worker we are hoping to build on our existing relationships with the schools with opportunities - when we are able - to hold assemblies at Magor Church in Wales School and Undy Primary school. In December videos of the Nativity story were distributed to these schools together with Jubilee Park School, Rogerstone, Clytha Primary School and Rogiet Primary School. Zoom Family Celebrations have been held in the last two months. Val Jenkins (at Undy) and Liz Upton and Davina Thomas (at Magor) continue to serve as Governors of the local schools. **Free for All** is an initiative that seeks to bless individuals, businesses and schools in our community through acts of kindness. The work in 2020 has been limited to small gifts given out at Easter and to flowers/plants given out to local businesses that continue to serve the Community during the pandemic. Gifts of cakes and biscuits were also given to the staff of local schools. Further afield we have supported the work of the Baptist Union, Baptist Missionary Society Home Mission and BMS World Mission. We continue to support the work in Uganda that is providing education for children in that area. ## **Church teams** Part of the Trustees main responsibility is to ensure that teams of volunteers are in place to manage and deliver the wide-ranging programme of events and activities in the community. Each Trustee has a portfolio indicating specific areas of oversight. The objective is to establish clear lines of communication between the activity leaders of the church and the leadership and to encourage the activities in their work. Pastoral care is overseen by the Minister with a small dedicated team of people who continue to provide pastoral care to our members and adherents. This has proved difficult this year due to the protocols laid down through the pandemic. However, doorstep visits have been made and with the help of the Trustees, all members and attendees have been contacted regularly by phone, email, text or letter. This has proved an essential ministry during this unprecedented time. The Minister along with a team of Life Group leaders help to co-ordinate a programme of studies throughout the year and deliver a well-supported and varied programme. The studies undertaken, whether meeting together in the church or via Zoom, were - Shape of Things to Come - including Reshaped; Community Shaped by the Gospel; God Shaped; Study on Philippians All of our normal outreach activities have been disrupted this year because of the pandemic with most of them ceasing to operate from March onwards. We trust that we will be able to reopen the following activities later in 2021. - $ Magor Munchies - who plan, cook and serve lunches to around 80 elderly people on the church premises on the first Monday of each month throughout the year. - $ Mothers and Toddlers - who work in our ministry to young people weekly - $ Ladies Friendship - who offer ministry to women and meet monthly. - $ Men = s > Drop-In = - who offer support and friendship to other men that meet monthly. - $ Knit and Natter - a thriving Knit and Natter group that meet weekly. - $ Friday Coffee morning B a chance to chat and have refreshments. We appreciate the commitment, dedication and service of the volunteers and helpers that run these activities and would also express our grateful thanks to: - $ the small and dedicated team of Sunshiners who deliver flowers to deserving or needy people on behalf of the Church. - $ those who serve as volunteers in the ecumenical team that makes possible the work of the Caldicot Foodbank overseen by Raven House Trust. - $ the small cleaning team who maintain our premises especially during the difficult conditions of the pandemic. - $ the committed Property Trustees who are responsible for the maintenance of Church property. ## **The Future** Our Scripture for 2021 was chosen by our Church/Community Worker and comes from Matthew 28: v19-20 > A _Jesus said,_ Y _go and make disciples in all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you: and be sure of this, I am with you._ @ This is known as the > Great Commission. = It = s our belief that the concern of this Commission is not just to get people ready for heaven; its task is to get heaven into the people - to make them like Christ - and involves the transformation of our life lived out here in Magor and Undy. A We believe and concur with the writer that said . . _is not a task assigned to isolated individuals; it is an identity given to a community._ @ We are endeavouring to bring about what was laid on the heart of the fellowship in 2018 when seeking a new minister - _**We need to listen to God afresh, seeking what He is planning for us in the church and within our community as He builds His kingdom. We recognise that this may require fresh expressions of mission and worship, not necessarily always within the confines of a**_ > _**traditional**_ = _**church .**_ This year we will, by God = s help, continue to put this into practice. **Worship** - New and fresh expressions of worship through our celebrations online and when we can meet together in person. Allowing a greater openness and freedom in our worship times together. New ways of doing and being church, learning from and strengthening the ministries that = s been developed online through Zoom. **Mission** - Reaching out to the community and schools. Looking at enhancing the work with the schools by holding Holiday Clubs (online if necessary), Messy Church celebrations; Lunch Club or After School Clubs. Further emphasis on the Church to be more > mission orientated = will be highlighted with a new preaching series > Going Deeper = based on the book of Jonah. We hope to continue our reaching out to the community following the > Who Cares = initiative. **Discipling** - Seeking to move forward with our motto text > _make disciples in all the nations_ = Plans are already in place to encourage the children and young people to join in online bible studies. We are hoping to commence an Alpha Course (or similar) **Community** - We have a desire to enhance the work and ministry of God = s Kingdom within the community, continuing to be the church without walls and seeing the call of God through the > Junction 23A = initiative, come more into fruition. Our support and links with other churches is paramount. We have and will continue to plan joint celebrations and activities. Our minister is mentoring, supporting and coming alongside three pastors B in Stratford, Sudbrook and in Caldicot. Recommencing the work of reaching out to the new homes recently built in and around the surrounding area. During the year we believe that we have demonstrated again our commitment as Trustees to A advance the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination and to advance education and carry out the other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. @ _Keith Arnold (Church Secretary) For and on behalf of the Diaconate_ ## **Friday Coffee Morning Report 2020** Coffee Morning opens weekly on Friday from 10.00 until 12.00 noon. It continues to be an excellent way for the Church to reach out into the community and welcome folk to come and share coffee, tea, scones and occasionally cakes. It is a great place to meet friends, and to have a chat. We thank our faithful team of volunteers who give up their time to ensure the smooth running of the event each week. A big thank you to all the ladies who ensure we have freshly baked scones and cakes each week. The money collected each week is donated to local charities, chosen by our volunteer helpers. Greeting cards can also be purchased, the proceeds going to kids cancer charity. Sadly, in March, because of the COVID-19 virus, the church building had to be closed and we were unable to hold coffee mornings for the rest of the year. The team agreed that this year we should donate our funds to Raven House Trust food bank and their Christmas appeal for toys and gifts for the children. Donations were sent in March, April and November - a total of , 860.00 We hope and pray we will be able to all meet again soon. ## _Jean Smith_ _Coffee morning co-ordinator_ ## **Knit and Natter group report 2020** The group meets on Thursday afternoons from 1.30 to 3.00 pm, to knit, crochet and share ideas and to enjoy each other = s friendship. The group continues to grow and is popular with the ladies who live in the local communities. Each year we support a number of charities throughout Wales and overseas donating our knitted garments. Sadly, this year has been so different for us all. In March, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and following the government guidelines, the Church had to close and we were unable to meet. However, many of our ladies have continued to knit, crochet and sew in their own homes. We have kept in touch with each other by telephone, email and text, chatting and making sure we are all safe and well. We were sad to hear that our dear friend Enid Moon passed away in November. We will all miss her. Our dear friends Mary Packer and Irene Bowen are now in St. Anne = s Nursing Home, Chepstow, and Joyce Jones is in Cherry Trees Nursing Home, Caldicot. We send our love and prayers to them. I pray that we will all keep well, and stay safe, and hope we will all meet up again soon to Knit and Natter. ## _Jean Smith_ ## **Ladies Friendship Report for 2020** We held our AGM as usual on Tuesday, 10th March, 2020, where a new committee were nominated and agreed by members; these being: Jenny Tilton - Chairperson Cherryl Evans - Events Organiser Pat Edlin - Treasurer Gill Arnold - Tea Rota Organiser Sarah Cashman - Cards Distributor Christine Miles - Speaker Organiser This year we saw Gaynor Chapple (Chairperson) and Jenny Griffiths (Treasurer) both step down after giving 6-7 years dedicated service to Ladies Friendship. It was then agreed by the members that Jenny Tilton became Chairperson, and welcomed two new officers, Gill Arnold and Sarah Cashman as Tea Rota Organiser and Card Distributor respectively. A little note of thanks must be given to Sarah who has been so diligent at sending cards to all members at such a needy time. Sadly, due to the global spread of COVID-19, it was agreed that Ladies Friendship should be suspended indefinitely, until such a time for regathering was confirmed by the Government. Gaynor entertained us with her Bible Cake recipe, where we looked up passages from the bible to give the ingredients. Having already made the cake, it was then thoroughly enjoyed by all along with a cup of tea or coffee. A successful and most enjoyable evening. Well, who would have thought, when we last met, that ten months down the line we would be wondering when we will all be together again? However, during the isolation period, it was not only comforting, but inspiring to hear acts of kindness and concern, albeit phone calls, texts, cards and letters, and shopping, for those members who could not leave their homes at this time. It has definitely brought out the best in people. Sadly, over the past ten months, some of our long loyal members will not be joining us in the future either due to ill health or having incurred debilitating illnesses. Mary Packer has now taken residence at St, Anne = s Nursing Home, along with Irene Bowen. Enid Moon will also be dearly missed having been called home to our Lord and Father. On a brighter note, Christine and Frank Miles celebrated not only the safe arrival of their first grandchildren, twin boys Arthur and George, but their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Later in the year, Gill and Keith Arnold also celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Many special dates have passed, not being celebrated as one might have wished. Although COVID-19 is not going away for a while, we can now see that bright light at the end of the tunnel, that rainbow in the sky, with the vaccine being given to more and more people daily. So, with prayer and faith, who is to say we won = t be meeting with our friends and loved ones, sooner than later. Follow the secret trail of faith, made bold by hope and prayer. Follow the music of your dreams beyond the last ascent. Fear not the hazards of the way for God is provident. ## _Jenny Tilton Chairperson_ ## **MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP REPORT 2020** The Group continued to thrive during the early part of the year; the age range of the children tended to be 0-2 years. In common with other Church activities, we were not able to meet after March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We were all very sad that Netty was not able to be part of the team in 2020 and we missed her effervescent presence greatly. The Group was able to make monetary donations to Raven House Trust during the pandemic and continues to sponsor a Ugandan child. ## _Gill Arnold_ ## **Munchies Report 2020** Due to Covid restrictions the Munchies only met for three months during January, February and March. They enjoyed St Valentine = s Day celebrations but everything came to standstill at the end of March. All the helpers were sad to see this good work put on hold. Many of our diners have expressed regret too but until we can make everything safe it will be impossible to serve food. All members received a Christmas card by post thanks to the effort of Mrs Ellen Scott our correspondence secretary wishing them every blessing. ## _Phyl Jones_ ## **Sunday Club Report 2020** Our year started in the usual way with post-Christmas party celebrations followed by Jams and Frogs meeting for lesson during Sunday morning worship using Scripture Union bible-based programmes. These were interrupted in March due to Covid restrictions. In April Mrs Bev Davies suggested we start a children's zoom session on a Sunday morning for 15 to 20 mins prior to the adult gathering at 11 a.m. This programme has been very successful, bringing in children associated with the church family from many areas of the country. The responsibility for leading each week has been shared by the Sunday club leaders, with weekly preparations on a Thursday afternoon with Bev = s guidance on the computer. Themes have covered Pentecost, Fruits of the Spirit, Jesus = s Miracles, Lost and Found stories and the Christmas Story. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to join these sessions with room for prayers, singing, activities and conversations. Rev Harry Place has been able to fit in Family Services within the schedule. The church anniversary being a particularly memorable one. In November, Thomasina Brown joined the team and has added a new impetus with fresh ideas and invaluable skills. Family services have become a regular feature with Tomi taking the lead. During the year we have sent the children Scripture Union activity books courtesy of the kindness of Mrs Joyce Woolley. We also packed and sent Christmas cards and gifts to all the children who have taken part this year. We have 20+ children in the club with an average of 6 to 8 loyal followers each week. Tomi prepared a QR code trail for the local children for Christmas and has made good contact with the schools. Zoom has proved an invaluable way to keep in touch with our precious children as we share the love of the Lord and make disciples. We continue to work this way until things become normal. ## _Phyl Jones_ CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BLANK PAGE CLK.%U)￿8=88.888￿8 r+ r* 888888. ¢Jif)iOth rriOIOOrri tyirri r =8 m c r+ e*J m m ti) vi ri Q r4 ti) vpi v4 0 ¢i cn ¢Trmo ** v4 8Y*o8-888%880 000000000000 000000000000 Ici￿00000000oO r•J 888888888888 E l Lfi ¢i O rti O O O Lri o o nltrJ￿Cc￿¢0l￿ T4 v4 rkni in (ts ¢0 J c¢ ( • v) ¢0 ¢4 88% 11 O U