CHARITY REPORT GRBC 2021
We began the year with a worship service in the church building. The Pastor sent New Year Greetings with a reflection on 'This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it' (psalm 118:24). After the difficult and life-changing, plague-affected year of 2020 we were reminded that we should aim to live 'one day at a time'. The Bible message is that Christians are called to live for today without being anxious for tomorrow. In living for today the key, for the Christian, is to stay close to God and follow him.
The need to remain flexible and live each day as the LORD makes it was immediately tested as the latest coronavirus variant led to us closing the church to ‘in person’ meetings until Easter. The only activity that remained on the church premises was the Erdington Food Bank, which was wonderfully supported by church members, community members, and local businesses.
Sunday services, midweek prayer meetings, midweek Care groups and monthly Trustee meetings continued to meet on zoom. Care groups of around 5-12 people enabled us to share our lives and faith at a deeper level than was possible at the Sunday service. The church, as the Body of Christ, is a uniquely connected family. We were therefore pleased to be able to open the church doors on Easter Sunday, with an immediate experience of the benefit of meeting in person.
The church continued with hybrid meetings for the rest of the year, as the community that gathered in the building were joined on zoom by those who were scattered throughout various homes. As restrictions were lifted during 2021, we were able to resume communal celebrations and other occasions. The church family celebrated an infant dedication and an adult baptism. We were also thankful to be able to mark the passing of a much-loved member of the church without restrictions.
The continued prevalence of coronavirus in the population, and various states of illhealth amongst the members has contributed to the numbers attending services in the building remaining low compared to pre-lockdown numbers. The number of members has, however, remained largely unchanged, with the death of one member leading to a reduction from 130 to 129.
We have maintained our links with 'Erdington Churches Together', through various prayer initiatives and through a new 'Street Pastors' ministry. The Street Pastors is a church-led initiative which also includes other like-minded volunteers from the community. Members of our church together with the rest of the Street Pastors team meet regularly for prayer and to walk the High Street during the day, offering support and a listening ear.
In May our church gathering connected online with other Baptist churches, scattered around the nation, in a National Baptist Sunday Worship Service. The message was of Christian Engagement; 'Heal all that is broken; in our hearts; our streets; our world'. The message being that our faith must be expressed in works of goodness and kindness. In November we had our first 'in person' Business meeting since February 2020. During the interim period we held 'Information Meetings', on zoom, to update members and give opportunity to ask questions.
Some gatherings were not suitable for zoom, so it was not until September that we were able to restart a parent and toddlers’ group. Youth meetings were also started in September. The Merger group restarted in person meetings in May after a 15 month pause. This Merger group was formed from the two churches of George Road Baptist Church and Emmaus Church, with the intention of bringing a practical proposal for merging the two churches. We restarted in May by looking at bible teaching on delays. God prepares his people through delays; he humbles them as they see their dependency on him with greater clarity. God brings us closer to himself through setbacks; we saw that our relationship with him is more important than arriving at our destination. From this foundation we made good progress with the practicalities of the merger, with the aim to complete in the year 2022.
GEORGE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021
| General Account Receipts Weekly Offering Other Income (inc donations) Gift Aid Total Payments Ministry Church Equipment Upkeep of Church Premises Administration Missionary Giving Youth Work Total Surplus |
2021 £ 77,434 7,807 13,744 98,984 49,148 500 12,877 11,147 6,670 287 80,629 18,356* |
2020 £ 75,590 4,994 14,365 94,949 44,810 - 19,672 4,450 14,365 15 83,312 11,638 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Balance as at 1st January Bank Balance as at 31st December Excludes special project monies. Includes transfer between funds. Special Project Funds Bank Balance as at 31st December 2021* |
64,176 82,532 32,447 |
52,538 64,176 25,575 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examlner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of GEORGE ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH On accounts forthe year ended 31" December 2021 Charlty no (if any) 1139836 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounls of the ave charity for the year ended 3111212021. Responslbllliles and basis of report As the charity's trusteès, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wth the requirements of the Chartties Act 2011 Ilhe Act") I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Diredions given by the Charrty Commission under section 145(5}(b} of the Act. Independent I have cnmpleted my examination I confimi that no material matters have examlnerfs statement come to my attention in connection wtth the examination which gives me cause lo believe Ihat in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charrties Act, or the aount$ did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming Ihe fom and content of accounts set out in the CharFiies (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no COnmS and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the ac(x)unts to be reached. Slgned: Date: )02l Name: ames Cyril èaims Bsc FCA Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body lif any): Chartered Accountant Inslitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Addr85s: 19 Garman Close, Great Barr. Birmingham. 843 6NB IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs lo highlight matenal matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose, IER Oct 2018