Fullbridge Evangelical Church (also known as Fullbridge Church) Fullbridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE Registered Charity no. 1139769
Fullbridge Evangelical Church has been in existence since 1937. The church is governed by a new declaration of trust dated 7 November 2010 which was registered with the Charity Commission 11 January 2011.
The objects of the trust are (i) to advance the Christian faith and (ii) to relieve sickness and financial hardship, for the benefit of the public in Maldon and in other parts of the United Kingdom and the world. The trustees ensure that public benefit requirements are met, giving due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance.
The purpose of the church is that there should be a congregation of Christian believers whose aim is the worship of God and the furtherance of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the relief of need or hardship and the provision of pastoral care. The aims are thus the advancement of the Christian religion in a way which will bring public and personal benefit through the changes in individual lives which Christian belief engenders.
Trustees are chosen by resolution of the existing trustees. The trustees are listed on page 3.
The trustees have power to purchase property and to raise funds by mortgage or other means.
DBS checks are carried out on all trustees and all volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults, in accordance with the church’s Child Protection Policy.
The spiritual leadership of the church resides with the elders. In 2022 these were A.P.Mugford, and S.Quelch.
Trustees Report 2022
The regular Sunday meetings are attended by around 60 people each week. Weekday activities for church members are centred on four well-attended home-groups. In addition there have been several other small groups for discussion, prayer and Bible study. An informal series of ladies’ lunches, ‘Hungry Hearts’, is aimed at those on the fringe of the church. The Church is also being used by community-based groups that have included the Stroke Club and Maldon CVS run “Digital Buddies” and “Pioneers” during the day for older and some more vulnerable members of the community. As a result, people are becoming more familiar with both Fullbridge people and the place. Youth and children’s work consists of various groups on Sunday mornings and at other times, and ‘Noah’s Ark’ (a parent and toddler group held on Fridays). Church members are also involved in an inter-church outreach called Open The Book which presents Bible stories in two primary schools in Maldon.
An Alpha course was completed very successfully online in the Spring and another started in the Autumn. Some from this group have joined us regularly on Sunday mornings.
There were no baptisms during 2022.
We support Andrew and Rachel Mugford as evangelists working in connection with the Christian evangelistic charity ‘Counties,’ partly in the Maldon area and partly elsewhere (chiefly in Essex). As well as involvement in the activities listed above they have also been able to bring Christian input into several schools in the area. A formal pastoral role as “School Chaplains” in Plume Academy continues to run for students at Plume Academy foin Years 7, 8 and 9. The school welcome this extra support for students struggling with anxiety. They use a Christian resource that aims to build their resilience.
Andrew and Rachel have continued with the Job Club, under the CAP banner. This its sixth year saw 12-15 regularly attending. The flow of new members who stay around has ebbed, as it has in other Job Clubs, but there has been a steady flow of members requesting support for application and CV writing help.
With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Ralph and Gilly Springett and Ann Frost set up a Community Hub to support Ukrainian families moving into the District after Easter. This was in partnership with Maldon District Council and Maldon CVS. An adviser from the Citizens Advice Bureau has ben really helpful in giving advice to families. The warm welcome with refreshments and clothing and toiletries too has helped to settle them here.
The church supports several missionary organisations and individuals, both in this country and abroad. Richard and Sarah Reynolds’ return trip to Cambodia went ahead in November to set up a project in 2023. Simon Quelch visited Brazil again for 2 months, encouraging local believers in a number of churches with his “How to read the Bible” course.
Malcolm Pickard has been the church treasurer for over 10 years. His battle with cancer ended in August and there was a very well-supported thanksgiving service in September. His faith was clearly evidenced in the tributes brought by family and friends. Sarah Reynolds, assisted by Julian Gore, have stepped into this role.
The remaining two Elders continue to seek God’s guidance and provision for at least one new Elder. A pastoral team, made up of Elders, wives and home group leaders (R & S
Reynolds and R & R Power) meet monthly to co-ordinate and pray for the pastoral care of the church. P Reeve has become a “non-Elder sounding board” at the Elders meeting since September to complement the current Elders’ personalities and giftings. He does not feel becoming an Elder is right, but he is happy to support the Eldership in this way.
There were no serious incidents during the year. [ Defined at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-report-a-serious-incident-in-your-charity]
The Church Accounts for 2022 are summarised in the attached statement. Attention should however be drawn here to the following general considerations:
The church funds are identified as follows - Unrestricted : General Fund Restricted : Missionary Fund Building Fund Practical Fund Events Fund Special Purpose Fund
The church’s income and expenditure is presented on a receipts and payments basis. It is the church’s policy to assign all expenditure to the year in which the money is paid; thus there is no item for depreciation in the accounts. We believe that the accounts give a true and fair view, as required by legislation.
Reserves Policy:
Unrestricted Funds
In normal circumstances we aim to keep in reserve a sum equivalent to 100% of the annual expenditure, to enable us to contribute to non-regular needs such as emergency relief, support of short-term mission and unplanned needs for equipment or facilities, and to cover short-term employment contracts if required in the future.
Restricted Funds
Specified gifts should be used as specified by the giver. For example income received for the missionary fund should normally be passed on in the same month; income received for the building fund may be kept until required for building needs.
The actual level of reserves is as stated in the accounts for 2022.
All the above is subject to the provisions of the trust deed and charity law.
The accounts for 2022 were examined by M C Richardson FCCA
The trustees in 2022 were:
R.C.Little P.T.Gymer S.R.Chesney A.P.Mugford R.K.Reynolds
Report agreed by the trustees 15[th] May 2023, and signed on behalf of all the trustees.
Footnote – Fullbridge Evangelical Church Property Trust
The Fullbridge Church property is the subject of a separate Declaration of Trust dated 28[th] December 1978. A supplemental Declaration dated 22[nd] April 1991 changed the name from Fullbridge Gospel Hall to Fullbridge Evangelical Church. The trustees at the beginning of 2023 were R.C.Little, P.T.Gymer and S.R.Chesney, A.P.Mugford and R.K.Reynolds.
The 1978 property trust further stipulates that the Fullbridge premises should be used as a place of meeting and worship, with services for worship, breaking of bread, evangelism and teaching, maintaining the New Testament principles as generally practised by “Open Brethren”.
LL4kIIP4. IPORT TO ThE lliusiEES OF FiTLBRIDGE EI".INCEtIC.4L CHiTrCH Charity Uber 1139769 of sect 144 of (knit Jlct 2011 (the Act) not app. a1 - 46Apil 2(
FULLBRIDGE CHURCH AccouKrs YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 Charlty Numb•r. 1139769
Income & ExperKliture Account for the year ended 31 st December 2022 2022 2021 Restricted FurKts Practical Fund msnary Buikling Fund S[31 PurFX)se Grft5 Event Fees Pastoral support Imugfordl Communty Hardship Fund Communty Hub/Refugee support Gift Aid repayment Interest £ 0.00 £ 5.750.05 £ 130.00 £ 12,272.00 £ 1,060.00 £ 9,915.00 £ 1.135.00 £ 691.00 £ 7,162.01 £ 0.00 £ 5,167.00 £ 130.00 £ 11,970.00 £ 273.00 £ 9,985.00 £ 150.00 £ 0.00 £ 5,282.50 £ 1.86 £ 38,115.( £ 32,959.36 Unrestricted FurKIs General Fund Use of hall Gift Aid repayment Interest £ 31.603.22 £ 1,400.00 £ 7,258.66 £ 65.57 £ 31.935.67 £ 0.00 £ 6,548.34 £ 5.32 £ 38,489.33 £ 71,448.69 £ 40,327.45 £ 78,442.51 Restricted Funds Practical Fund £ 0.00 Communty Hardship Fund £ 773.63 Missionary Fund £ 6,638.00 Building Fund £ 180.00 Pastoral support Imugfordl £ 16.764.00 Events.. FUSE £ 0.00 Weekend Away £ 1,041.78 S[cIal PurFK)se Gttt5 E 15,848.75 Communty Hub/Refugee support £ 271.35 £ 0.00 £ 65.00 £ 6,360.00 £ 0.00 £ 16.092.00 £ 1,498.12 £ 0.00 £ 30,075.00 £ 0.00 £ 41,517.51 £ 54,090.12 Unrestricted Funds Administration & communication Buikjing C3terin8 MinStrS Outreach Sunday servi$ Retired Missionaries £ 5,396.97 £ 10,411.55 £ 902.34 £ 2,170.39 £ 254.40 £ 1.666.57 £ 250.00 £ 4,130.37 £ 7,311.37 £ 0.00 £ 1,675.33 £ 394.80 £ 1.915.76 £ 750.00 £ 21,052.22 £ 62,569.73 £ 16,177.63 £ 70,267.75
Exce55 of Income over ExpEnditure £ 15,872.78 £ 1,180.94 Add surplus at 3 1 st Dember 202 1 E 76.612.89 £ 75,431.95 Income FU at 31 st December 2022 £ 92,485.67 £ 76,612.89 8alance Sheet at 31-12-2022 2022 2021 FEDSSErS Freehold Property Fullbrid8e Church premises CURREtrir AssErs Bank Account Balances E 92,458.67 £ 75,431.95 E 92,458.67 £ 75,431.95 FUN Capital Fund5 Income Funds- Unrestricted Re5tritted É 67.455.03 £ 25.030.64 £ 56,034.70 £ 19,397.25 £ 92,485.67 £ 75,431.95 Signed on LEhalf of Tru5tees'. Date..