Magor Baptist Church
Annual Report
Year Ending 31 December 2022
Magor Baptist Church is registered at the Charity Commission as Ebenezer Baptist Church, Magor Charity Reg. No. 1136850
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Magor (Registered Charity no. 1136850) Annual Report for Year Ending 31st December 2022
The Diaconate (the Charity Trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church)
| Minister | Vacant |
|---|---|
| Secretary | Keith Arnold |
| Assistant Secretary | Val Jones |
| Finance Deacon | John Loebl |
| Deacons | Kathryn Allen, Bev Davies, Chris Foster, Phyllis Jones, |
| Andrew Leighton, Tina Liberson, Christine Miles |
Diaconate meetings
The Diaconate has met 11 times for business meetings and 8 times for fellowship over the course of the year 2022, in addition to meeting with Reverend Mark Fairweather-Tall, the Regional Minister, regarding the Pastoral vacancy. The Diaconate has reported regularly to the Church Meeting, which has been held 7 times to discuss, share information, and to take decisions together. In addition, we held a Vision service with the Regional Minister to discern the will of the Church in the appointment of a new Minister.
New Diaconate appointments
This year, at the AGM in March, we welcomed one new deacon, Kathy Allen, on to the Church’s leadership team In addition, Chris Foster, Tina Liberson, Andrew Leighton and Christine Miles were welcomed on to the diaconate at a special meeting held in July. Bill Adams and Val Jenkins, having served as deacons, resigned in May 2022.
Transitional Arrangements
Our Minister, Reverend Harry Place, retired from the Ministry and as a Trustee on 31[st] August. We are indebted to him for leading the Church through the unprecedented Covid pandemic. The Church then appointed Reverend Mark Thomas to act as Moderator during the Transition period. Although not a registered charity trustee, he attended meetings and acted in an advisory capacity to the Church trustees.
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 the individuals.
Service to the local community and the wider world
This report gives an indication of the wide range of activities we 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.
At the beginning of the year the Church was still being affected by the Covid Pandemic and our principal objective in 2022 was to resume our normal programme of activities. Thanks to the diligent work of the group who monitored and implemented changes when it was safe to do so, this objective was largely achieved.
We continue to pursue our aims of creating stronger links between the Church and the communities of Magor and Undy with the aim of bringing more people to faith in Christ.
Membership and Adherence
We note the home call of Barbara Jones – a past deacon and Trustee, Gladys Pritchard and Margaret Neilson.
There were 2 resignations from membership.
At the end of the year there were 100 members and some 30 adherents (people who worship with us regularly or occasionally).
Connections
We have maintained the relationships with our fellow Baptist churches at Caldicot, Underwood and Gaerllwyd and with the Christian centre being established by Jeremy Lock in Sudbrook. In addition, we have also met up with St Mary’s Church in Wales for Pentecost, Remembrance Day and Christmas carols.
Our Church and Community worker, Thomasina Brown, has continued to build the relationships with Magor Church in Wales School and Undy Primary school. Liz Upton continues to serve as a Governor at Magor Church in Wales Primary School. Davina Thomas retired as a Governor at the school during the year.
Further afield we have supported the work of the Baptist Missionary Society, and the work of the Kasozi’s in Uganda that continues to thrive and provide education for children in that area.
Church teams
Part of the Trustees main responsibility is that of ensuring the teams of volunteers are in place to run and deliver the wide-ranging programme of events and activities in the community.
Pastoral care is overseen by a small dedicated team of people who have taken on and continue to provide pastoral care following the departure of our Minister.
Life Group leaders deliver a well-supported and varied programme. Since recommencing following the Pandemic most groups are now meeting in the Church for the studies.
Other examples of teams of volunteers who help to make our service to both church and community possible include:
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the Church catering teams that provide light lunches each month, refreshments at Church events, the weekly coffee morning and after-service refreshments on Sundays;
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a small and dedicated team of Sunshiners who deliver flowers on behalf of the Church;
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a team of volunteers who work in our ministry to young people through the Toddler group, Superheroes and Sunday Club. Also, those who help with the Family Fun days and Family camp;
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teams who offer ministry to women in a monthly Ladies Friendship meeting;
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a team of men who offer support and friendship to other men through the Monthly Men’s ‘Drop-In’;
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those who serve as volunteers in the ecumenical team that makes possible the work of the Newport/Caldicot Food bank overseen by Raven House Trust;
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the people who run a thriving Knit and Natter group on a weekly basis;
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the team which organises the ‘Free for All’ Initiative for the schools and the Community;
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the team, led by Thomasina, who were able to provide some basic English lessons to the refugees from Ukraine affected by the conflict in their country;
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the small cleaning team which maintains our premises;
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the committed Property Trustees who are responsible for the maintenance of Church property.
We appreciate the commitment, dedication and service of so many volunteers and helpers in every group who regularly give their time and talents to ensure that the Church functions smoothly throughout the year. Also, the preachers who are sustaining the Church in the period of Transition and those who are taking on additional responsibility in the absence of a Minister.
The Future
The Scripture verse that was chosen for 2022 was
- “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9
Over the year we believe that we have demonstrated again our commitment as Trustees to
“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
Sunbeams
The year began still under covid restrictions with people having to book to attend a group. Thankfully as the year went on these rules were removed and people were able to attend freely.
The doors are open from 9am until 11am. Children from birth to nursery age are welcome to come along with their parents, Grandparents, or child minder. We offer a range of toys to suit all ages which encourage children to share, explore and use their imagination. We ask for a £1 a week to help with the cost of craft material, gifts, tea, coffee, and biscuits. Toast was introduced late in the year and is a huge hit with the children. The session ends every week with singing and musical instruments. Favourite songs are Sleeping Bunnies, RowRow-Row your Boat and Little Red Tractor. We always finish with a prayer “Hands together…”
Children who move on to Nursery or school receive a book of Children’s bible stories. We celebrate their birthday by singing happy birthday to them and giving them a card and book with a bible story to read with a grown up.
Easter time the children were told the story of Easter and received an Easter egg. As the summer term continued, we were able to take some of the toys outside and play in the Church garden. We became concerned as the term progressed at the fall in attendance. We restarted quietly in September but with new members joining us every week. We are a lively and bubbly group of adults and children.
The year ended on a sad note. After a wonderful Christmas party with a visit from Santa, we received the sad news of the passing of Margaret, one of our hard-working ladies. She was well loved by all the mums and children (past and present) who came to the toddler group. This was shown in all the lovely messages we received and passed on to the family.
We as a team, feel privileged and blessed to be able to run this group. We thank you all for your support and prayers over the year.
The name Sunbeams seems to have caused some confusion as to who and what we are. We have decided to be known as “Magor Baptist Toddler Group”
Thank you.
The Toddler Team
Beverley Davies Gill Arnold Tina Liberson Pat Edlin
Sunday Club
The Sunday club, although very reduced in number, meets with the congregation for the Sunday morning service. After all-age worship at 11 a.m. the children leave to share with those who join us on Zoom for prayer, singing, bible story and activity under the direction of one of the leaders together with a second adult for safeguarding. Preparation and planning for themes from the New and Old testaments together with festival themes are planned half-termly under the direction of Thomasina Brown with the team of Phyl Jones, Chris Foster, Liz Wilson, Liz Brown and Bev Davies, each member taking their turn to lead and plan the morning. The rest can enjoy the morning worship and receive input of God’s word from the sermon. Only a few children now join us on Zoom but they are regular and add such input and stimulation that the team feel it is good to continue this service. Thomasina leads the monthly family worship when other children from the weekly meetings are encouraged to join in and participate. It was good to welcome Ukrainian children to our Christmas celebration. We continue to support the work of Uganda by sponsoring a child.
Please pray for this important work as the seeds of God’s word are implanted in these precious children.
Phyl Jones
Knit and Natter
We’ve had another successful year, still meeting on a Monday at 1.30pm ‘til 3.00pm, where the ladies enjoyed knitting and crocheting over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, along with a good natter.
Sadly, because of Covid restrictions, we’ve been limited on supporting charities which we have donated to in the past. However, we have sent blankets, hats, scarves, baby clothes and trauma teddies to Ukraine. We have also donated £50.00 each to three charities, namely Marie Curie, Ready Steady Go, and the R.N.I.B., from our weekly collection.
Jenny Tilton
Superheroes
This after school club continued to meet in person in the School Room on a Thursday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 for ages 4-10. Each week around a dozen children play games (in the church garden when weather permits), act out a Bible story, sing Bible songs and do a craft connected to the story, finishing with an opportunity for them to bring their thankyous and requests to the Lord in prayer.
The Spring Term is when we traditionally look at Jesus’ life on earth, so we looked at children and young people whose lives were changed when they met Jesus. In the Summer Term we looked at His death, resurrection and ascension, followed by stories from Acts to show how Jesus continued His work through His early disciples. Then in the Autumn Term we looked at stories from the Old Testament showing how God keeps His promises!
The children were also involved in the November Family Service led by Max retelling the story of Noah’s Ark, and the year closed with the children enacting a nativity play for their parents which was greatly enjoyed as this year they were able to dress up!
Tomi was ably assisted by Beverley Davies and Jeremy Lock with occasional visits by Ruth Lock, Gaynor Chapple and Tina Liberson.
Tommi Brown Beverley Davies
Friday Coffee Morning
We open every Friday from 10am until 12.00 noon and provide a friendly atmosphere where we welcome folk and visitors from the village to share coffee/tea with freshly cooked scones (and sometimes cake). All who attend are served by our faithful band of ladies, who serve with a smile. This year we have also been able to serve a few light lunches.
All donations made go to worthwhile charities, and the proceeds from the light lunches were donated to Children's Cancer Care.
Other beneficiaries were:-
Raven House Trust Kidney Research Sight Cymru Ukrainian Appeal
It has been a busy year and I would like to thank all members and helpers for their tireless work and support.
Blessings Jean Smith
Ladies Friendship
We had our AGM in our March meeting, when we discussed topics of interest for the future. Pat Edlin gave a full account of our financial situation, and it was suggested and unanimously voted that we donate £100 to the Ukrainian crisis. On a brighter note Val Jones brought bunches of flowers, greenery and her knowledge of oasis to make flower arrangements in household containers ranging from cups, jugs, vases and even small casserole dishes. We had a wonderful evening with a superb array of bouquets.
Our April meeting was another visit by Jeff Grosvenor, who this time gave a talk on the Newport Medieval Ship. As he did on the Transporter Bridge, Jeff gave a fantastic in-depth talk, full of interesting facts and pictures, wanting you to visit the ship in person.
In May, a dozen of our ladies spent an enjoyable evening at the Dolman Theatre who were presenting The Vicar of Dibley. Although the weather was nothing to laugh about the performance certainly was, and I believe it was a successful evening with Christine Miles having a win in the raffle. June was a long overdue visit to Mathern Mill. This time the weather was superb, which matched the evening about a most informative and fascinating relic on our doorstep. To end our evening we had wonderful hospitality by Jan and David Bowen in their garden, with refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits.
Although I could not attend our end of year summer meal at Papi’s Bistro, it ended our social year, once again with good food and great company.
After a lovely summer break we were commencing our autumn meetings with a talk by Jen Robinson. Sadly she was unable to make our date, but hopefully we will be able to hear her adventures in the future. Thankfully, we did hear a wonderful talk by Hilary Winstanly who speaks for Health Help International (HHI), a Christian charity who work in both Zambia and the Kerala area of India.
October we were joined by the Ladies Circle, and this was literally an ‘eye’ opener, with an excellent talk and demonstrations with visual aids by Russell Ham from the Vision Impaired Society. Also in October, the L.F. hosted a fun evening of quizzes, drama and readings, at the chapel, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. All who attended had a wonderful evening, finishing with an array of refreshments, and showing their appreciation and generosity by raising £360.00.
All credit and thanks go to Sarah Cashman, from our committee, who suggested having the evening and the chosen charity.
For our animal topic in November, we failed to obtain a speaker. However, at very short notice Christine Miles came to the rescue and presented us with a superb evening of videos on hedgehog habitat, Scottish wild cat preservation, Dogs Trust School, plus the
development of Bristol Zoo and my personal favourite, behaviour as to why your cat loves you. All in all, it was a very informative and successful evening.
To end our varied and, may I say, successful year, we met for a delightful Christmas meal at the Wheatsheaf. Everyone looked traditionally festive, enjoying, I believe, a splendid meal, accompanied by good conversation, laughter and happy memories. A marvellous way to start our Christmas, and look forward to an amazing New Year.
Jenny Tilton Chairperson
MAGOR BAPTIST CHURCH
Financial Statement
for the year ending 31 December 2022
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