Minister’s Report 2025
Thank you for all the help you have given to me during the past twelve months or so. Thank you for your commitment to coming to worship Sunday by Sunday. Without the help of those who undertake the many roles and responsibilities for worship and acts of service, being your pastor would be far more onerous. Thank you.
But, as I have mentioned before in previous reports, my role, as pastor of our community is to do with ensuring that the Gospel is preached. Though I am dependant on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I know that I constantly need to refresh my understanding of Scripture so that I can apply the words on the page to our time, so that I can encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and to live in the light of his example and love. Some times that is easy; others it can be not so easy.
As some of you know, I have only bought three new ‘theology’ books during 2025, (I have four left from 2024 still to read in full). I have still spent time reading commentaries and other related books in connection with the series of reflections on Pauls letters to the Ephesians, from January through to end of March and to the Galatians June through to August. In between I based my reflections on the Lectionaries from either the Baptist Patterns and Prayers for Christian worship of the Church of South India, focusing our attention of the fact that God keeps his promises, acknowledging that we as a community of committed Christians are continually blessed by the love and concern we share for one another. The number of people attending worship each Sunday fluctuates from 8 to 16; though at special festivals (especially Christmas) anniversaries etc., the number increases to 22/24. The presence of Dalton reduces the age profile from 75 to 52!
I have done my best to ensure that I utilise the varied selection of hymns and songs available to us from our three hymn books so as not to repeat the same hymn too often, though we all like a good sing, especially of the traditional hymns we grew up with. (If only editors wouldn’t change the words!) Sung most? ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd – I will trust’ was chosen five times during 2025 (not all by me!)
I have continued to visit Sr Pat my Spiritual Director who now lives in a convent for older less able nuns in Lytham on a six weekly basis. My last visit was 4 December 2025 when Sr Pat didn’t give me any homework, she told me to take time to rest each Friday! I am not scheduled to see her until the first week in March, so by then she may have forgotten what she has asked me to do, so I won’t have to give account of what I’ve done or not done. Even so, my pattern for each day is the same – it begins with quiet time – prayers, scripture and stillness – I find that if I skip my time with God, then my day seems to be marred with hindrances that frustrate me. My day ends with an often incomplete examen and prayer. I am grateful to Sr Pat and Ernie Whalley for their wisdom, encouragement, guidance and kindness when I have needed support during the year.
My Wednesday, ‘Open Door’ is sometimes so busy with people popping in that the 75 minutes soon pass and I find myself going home well after lunch time. On other occasions no one comes and I spend the time photocopying the order of service or reading. There have been times when visitors have been sent and I have had discussion with people about debt, bereavement,
social housing and accessing social care. Whoever comes across our threshold can’t help but notice from the banners that they are in ‘Church’ a holy place and that they are valued. For those who enter for the first time, they nearly always say, ‘It is like the TARDIS’. I usually respond by saying that the community who meet within the walls, are ‘ T ransformed A nd R edeemed D edicated I n S ervice. Wednesday is my visiting day too. As most of you know, I visit those who don’t get to church so often, specifically those in the nursing and care homes. I am pleased and grateful for the deacon who have continued to maintain their pastoral responsibilities in keeping in contact with members and congregation over the year, helping to lessen my work load.
Church life in all its guises has continued to be active despite each of us getting older, some of getting more infirm, at the heart of our community though is what the Apostle Paul refers to as ‘brotherly love’ – that love, care and concern I mentioned above. Our fellowship mourned the loss of John Brittain who died at the end of December 2024. John was a valuable member of our community who with Jennifer and Mick tended our garden here on the car park and at the old place in Littlemoor Road and he supported Jennifer when she was a Deacon, and attended many of our social functions too. During July Hilary was in hospital and Vivien confined to home which meant that members of our community stepped in to help in serving in their places at the coffee mornings, and Rosemary playing the piano for worship, I am so grateful.
I am very pleased that over the year ministers from the churches in Pudsey have come together to restart Churches together in Pudsey. We held the Good Friday Walk of Witness, a Summer Celebration and an Autumn Praise evening. As in past years, I am the main of contact, hopefully the good start will continue throughout 2026 and beyond.
I try my best to have Fridays off, but I don’t always succeed. I am conscious of having to account to Sr Pat my failings. But I do try.
As you will read the reports, we are creatures of habit, and as per past years, we as a community have participated in the annual activities mentioned therein. I am not going to pre-empt the report, but remind you that it is always our intention that everyone – (be it Church Members, Congregation, or those who come to our coffee mornings and other social events) is included and is valued in whatever we are doing for Christ and the Church. May we continue to work with and for God as we witness by word and action his love grace and mercy for all humanity, including the people of our town.
PUDSEY BAPTIST CHURCH ACCOUNTS 2025
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
| RECEIPTS | PAYMENTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Cash offerings | 2,491.63 | 2,451.81 | Ministry | 6,355.00 | 6,340.00 |
| Covenants | 5,745.00 | 5,340.00 | Organ fees | 208.00 | 208.00 |
| Gift Day | 1,624.34 | 1,428.16 | Rent | 9,999.96 | 9,999.96 |
| Messenger | 125.00 | 151.00 | Property (note 2) | 4,233.35 | 4,485.63 |
| For other funds (note1) | 7,002.56 | 4,737.08 | Printing | 1,379.46 | 2,323.31 |
| Donations | 120.00 | 347.74 | Donations & subs (note 3) | 13,105.31 | 13,623.34 |
| Social events | 390.26 | 2,007.35 | Social events | 584.12 | 740.55 |
| Gift aid rebate | 0.00 | 2,510.12 | Fair Trade | 1,339.98 | 1,057.19 |
| Fair Trade | 425.00 | 425.00 | Flowers | 369.50 | 473.00 |
| Flowers | 438.00 | 495.00 | Sundries (note 5) | 1,554.71 | 2,205.44 |
| Sundries (note 4) | 79.00 | 1,850.68 | |||
| 39,129.39 | 41,456.42 | ||||
| 18,440.79 | 21,743.94 | Less cheques UP at 31.12.25 | -690.00 | -148.54 | |
| Balance in hand 31.12.24 | 181.80 | 228.06 | 38,439.39 | 41,307.88 | |
| Balance in Current Acct 31.12.24 | 15,231.01 | 12,250.92 | |||
| Transfers from Investments | 24,000.00 | 24,000.00 | |||
| 57,853.60 | 58,222.92 | Balance in hand 31.12.25 | 109.54 | 181.80 | |
| Less cheques UP 31.12.24 | -148.54 | -1,502.23 | Balance in Current Acct 31.12.25 | 19,156.13 | 15,231.01 |
| 57,705.06 | 56,720.69 | 57,705.06 | 56,720.69 |
Notes
PUDSEY BAPTIST CHURCH ACCOUNT 2025
NOTES ON THE 2025 ACCOUNTS
NOTE 1
Income for other funds
| Spurgeon's Childcare | 570.43 |
|---|---|
| Yorkshire Air ambulance | 437.79 |
| Baptist Missionary Society | 1,496.33 |
| Home Mission Fund | 1,258.44 |
| Operation Agri | 624.04 |
| Reach Project | 1,006.43 |
| Zephaniah Trust | 920.69 |
| Christian Aid Week | 618.41 |
| BMS Myanmar appeal | 70.00 |
| 7,002.56 | |
| NOTE 2 | |
| Property expenses | |
| Rent | 9,999.96 |
| Insurance | 830.29 |
| Cleaner | 1,206.00 |
| EDF | 1,593.07 |
| Yorkshire Water | 300.69 |
| Repairs and maintenance | 303.30 |
| Sundry purchases | 0.00 |
| 14,233.31 |
| NOTE 4 | |
|---|---|
| Sundry receipts | |
| Donations | 120.00 |
| Bible notes | 79.00 |
| Gift Aid rebates | 0.00 |
| 199.00 |
NOTE 3 Donations & subs
| Yorkshire Air Ambulance | 590.00 |
|---|---|
| Spurgeon's Childcare | 500.00 |
| Baptist Union Subs | 81.90 |
| Churches Tog. in Pudsey | |
| Operation Agri | 625.00 |
| Baptist Missionary Society | 1,375.00 |
| Home Missions | 1,290.00 |
| Northern Bapt College | 100.00 |
| Reach Project | 1,700.00 |
| Bible notes | 100.00 |
| BMS Myanmar appeal | 70.00 |
| Zephaniah Trust | 6,000.00 |
| Pudsey in Bloom | 55.00 |
| Christian Aid Week | 618.41 |
13,105.31
| NOTE 5 | |
|---|---|
| Sundry Payments | |
| Auditing | 50.00 |
| Crib dismantle repair & set up | 560.00 |
| Website maintenance | 350.00 |
| Other | 594.71 |
| 1,554.71 |
Page 2
Assets & liabilities
PUDSEY BAPTIST CHURCH ACCOUNT 2025
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 31.12.25
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| VIRGIN CURRENT ACCOUNT | |||
| Balance brought forward | 15,231.01 | 12,250.92 | |
| Receipts | 16,147.05 | 19,454.12 | |
| Transfers from reserves and investments | 24,000.00 | 24,000.00 | |
| 55,378.06 | 55,705.04 | ||
| Payments | -36,221.93 | -40,474.03 | |
| Balance as per bank statement | 19,156.13 | 15,231.01 | |
| CASH ACCOUNT | |||
| Balance in hand 31.12.24 | 181.80 | 228.06 | |
| Cash received | 42,440.79 | 45,743.94 | |
| 42,622.59 | 45,972.00 | ||
| Transferred to bank | -40,147.05 | -43,454.12 | |
| Cash paid out | -2,366.00 | -2,336.08 | |
| Balance in hand 31.12.25 | 109.54 | 181.80 | |
| INVESTMENTS | Book value | Market value | Market value |
| Quilter (was Old Mutual) | 387,937.00 | 467,814.29 | 448,974.78 |
Page 3
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