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LEADER’S REPORT Kurt Francis (Pastor)
Our reports are written and put forward for review towards the end of the year. However, they are also a reflection of our financial year, which is April to March.
Another year has passed, and one that has not been without its challenges as we found ourselves experiencing yet more change. Yet in some ways, we are perhaps nearer to our goal of becoming ‘a church without walls’ than we were before Covid and all of the changes we experienced before the end of last year.
We are a little fewer in number as some realised that they wanted to be involved in church work within their own geographical communities, so we sadly said farewell to the Roberts family (Ali, Dafydd, Osian, Ned and Jonas), Alan and Sue, and Andy and Rachel. We also said our goodbyes to the Welch family (Jennifer, Joe, Jonas and Caleb) as they moved to China to take up teaching jobs there. They all made invaluable contributions not just to our gatherings but also to a process that has brought us where we are today. We will forever be grateful to them and will miss them, whilst at the same time acknowledging that they are responding to the call of God to “Go!” and sending them out with glad hearts. We also recognise the work that God is already doing in their own mission fields and will always be ready to provide them with whatever support we can.
Whilst missing our traveling companions of the last few years on our journey of faith, we continue to pursue what it is to be ‘a church without walls’.
We press forward, valuing the opportunity to gather as God’s people in the Canolfan, in our homes, online, in Costa on a Wednesday morning, or wherever. However, we do this believing that God has chosen us and is equipping each one of us for works of ministry and service, which through the Gospel brings glory to him (Eph. 1:3-14). As we worship, break bread together and gather around God’s word, we encourage and pray for one another that we are able to confidently give away that which we have freely received.
These past few years have been difficult in many ways, but now we are able to gather in person we should grasp the opportunity with both hands. Gathering together in the ways I have just mentioned is vital for us as members of the body of Christ. Many churches are seeing fewer people attend their weekly gatherings than before Covid; for some, this is because of genuine concerns about exposing themselves to the virus. Some individuals are just weary and tired,
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but for others they have become accustomed to a different pattern and their churchgoing habits have changed.
The truth is though, Jesus has put us in church families in order that we may grow together. This is not a new phenomenon: it is even one that was experienced in the early church. The author of the letter to the Hebrews makes this startling statement:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see that day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25)
This is not about ‘getting bums on seats’ but is to do with how we have an impact on our communities together and live out what it means to be effective disciple makers. With one eye on that day when Jesus comes again and another on the task that’s before us, we cannot do it without one another.
We have completed the ‘Unquenchable Series’ by looking through the book of Acts, and in Allsorts we have begun to look at those that the Holy Spirit used to write the New Testament, investigating their lives and their relationship with Jesus and the early church. When we have completed this we will begin to look at other key figures, including many of the women who served and led in the local church. For those months with more than four Sundays, we continue to use the fifth Sunday for Vision days.
As part of our thinking about being church in our community, we now use the second Sunday in the month to gather in our local communities. On these Sundays we use a simple format, often with a pre-recorded video of the message. It’s an opportunity not only to think about what it means to be a church in our locality but also to invite friends and family who might not feel comfortable coming to any other type of gathering.
Our regular Sunday morning gatherings in the Canolfan are much more informal than before. Due to us being fewer in number, our ability to offer regular Sunday school classes is limited and this is the cause of real heartache for the leadership team. We do our best to be as inclusive of children in all of our gatherings as possible. However, we want to be able to offer the best that we have to all of our young people and will continue to seek help in this area.
Over the past few years, we have joined with churches from all over Wales in order to grow in our understanding of who God is, of his mission to reconcile this world to himself, and of our part in his plan. The Ethos and Explore courses, run through Forge Cymru, at times
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felt very intense as Cameron Roxburgh sought to communicate to us in a relatively short time what took him years to grasp; nonetheless, the courses have been very valuable indeed.
Through Forge we have grown in our conviction that being ‘on mission’ is about more than just ‘church survival’ – it is our prime purpose as we look to see Jesus build his church through us.
As the lockdown ended and we were able to return to face-to-face gatherings, we have continued to benefit from some of our online gatherings and other forms of communication. Prayer meetings, Monday night home group, and trustees’ and elders’ meetings are often still held on zoom where it is not possible for us to meet in person. This certainly helps in those cold winter months.
WhatsApp is still a firm favourite with the RCF family as far as sharing news and prayers is concerned; it’s not a perfect ‘masscommunication’ tool by any means, but it’s still secure and remains very useful.
We continue to seek to build relationships with other churches in North Wales and have had the opportunity to meet with other leaders outside of the BUW once a month in St. Asaph. This has been a valuable time of sharing with and praying for one another, to see and hear what God is doing and saying in our region. Where possible, we are also continuing to build links with the Welsh and Englishspeaking churches around us, seeking ways to partner together and encourage one another.
Again, this is my opportunity to reflect on the fact that, although we might be small in number, we continue to be a church whose people offer their time, gifts and talents to the benefit of all in a way that reflects the grace and servant heart of the master Jesus. We take time to give thanks to all and for all. May God have all the Glory!
Let us continue to encourage one another and all the more as we see that day approaching!
Many thanks
Kurt
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Charity Number 1143713
Statement of Payments and Receipts 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020
Receipts £ £ £
Standing Orders 21,754.00 23,986.00 21,991.00
Gift Aid 5,178.82 5,652.28 5,643.31
Collection 0.00 0.00 351.25
Social Events 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gifts 4,150.00 5,700.00 7,500.00
Cash back on VISA debit card 0.00 0.00 0.37
Bank Interest 1.23 6.53 24.17
Fundraising 0.00 0.00 0.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS 31,084.05 35,344.81 35,510.10
Payments
Staf 23,351.61 22,693.80 24,609.89
Premises 3,012.00 3,006.00 5,125.00
IT costs 358.95 823.03 1,189.96
Misc Office Expenses 71.73 210.00 27.64
Insurance 671.00 638.80 635.97
Subscriptions 1,116.88 874.00 699.50
Governance 35.00 85.00 134.50
Worship 355.00 594.47 491.40
Teaching 473.76 656.63 679.74
Mission 2,541.58 5,815.10 1,520.00
Hospitality 0.00 0.00 314.33
Gifts 260.00 342.96 72.50
TOTAL PAYMENTS 32,247.51 35,739.79 35,500.43
Net of Receipts and Payments -1,163.46 -394.98 9.67
Cash Funds as at 31 March previous year 22,421.77 22,816.75 22,807.08
Cash Funds at end most recent month 21,258.31 22,421.77 22,816.75
Nominal reserve funds (held in deposit account) 12,065.15 12,065.15 12,057.39
Assets and Liabilities
at end most recent month 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20
£ £ £
Assets
Cash Funds - Bank Accounts (current) 9,193.16 10,357.85 10,759.36
Cash Funds - Bank Accounts (deposit) 12,065.15 12,063.92 12,057.39
Total Assets 21,258.31 22,421.77 22,816.75
Liabilities - uncleared cheques 0.00 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00 0.00
Net Assets 21,258.31 22,421.77 22,816.75
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difference 0.00
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2018-2019 2017-2018 2016-17 2015-16
£ £ £ £
20,900.00 16,395.00 17,940.00 17,845.82
4,607.43 9,126.62 0.00 4,734.30
1,549.18 2,128.50 4,851.29 7,744.79
0.00 0.00 690.00 749.00
6,158.66 6,156.16 8,811.76 0.00
15.93 3.79 3.21 2.58
0.00 212.56 723.20 0.00
33,231.20 34,022.63 33,019.46 31,076.49
19,986.83 14,903.01 14,525.36 14,488.36
4,861.66 3,703.48 2,389.00 2,502.00
1,524.16 89.98 899.91
15.54 114.12 45.40 95.87
603.02 526.36 486.33 430.27
692.00 520.00 742.00 1,238.50
229.50 140.00 269.75 359.75
340.22 1,691.78 519.15 840.19
1,063.25 1,371.31 1,315.31 2,623.27
3,776.05 4,917.09 11,405.98 5,416.68
102.64 251.20 1,176.09 1,505.36
84.25 484.38 350.03 1,102.99
33,279.12 28,712.71 34,124.31 30,603.24
-47.92 5,309.92 -1,104.85 473.25
22,855.00 17,545.08 18,649.93 18,176.68
22,807.08 22,855.00 17,545.08 18,649.93
12,033.22
2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16
£ £ £ £
10,975.26 13,637.71 10,935.13 14,543.19
12,033.22 9,217.29 6,609.95 4,106.74
23,008.48 22,855.00 17,545.08 18,649.93
201.40 0.00 0.00 0.00
201.40 0.00 0.00 0.00
22,807.08 22,855.00 17,545.08 18,649.93
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Independent Examiners Report I report that on the accounts of Ruthiti Christi3n Fellowship for the year ended 313t March 2022- Respective responsibilities of the trustees and exaTnlner The chariWs trustees are responsible forthe preparatioTh of the accounts. The charity's trustee5 consider that2n audit is not requires for this year under section 144 of the Charities Att 2011 (the Charites Att) and that an Independent Exan]ination is neede(L It is my responsibility to Examine the accounts under sertion 145 ofthe Charities Ac.. To follow the procedures laid down Én the general direction given by the Charity Commission under Section 145[5)tbJ of the Ch3rities Act- and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis ifindependent examinerfs report My exarnination wa5 trarried outin accordance with the general Direction given by the Charity Cort]mission. An examination includes a reeW of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the account presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual itenis or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence thatwould be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a'true and fair Vie and the report is limited to those Tnatters set out in the stateent below. Independent Lxaminers Report In connettion with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: l. Which gives me rexsonable rause to believe thatin any material respect the requlrements: To keep accounting records in accordance with Sertiokn 130 ofthe Charities Act: and To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and COllLply with the accounting requirements ofthe Charities Act Have not been met- or 2. To which. in my opinion. attention should be drdwn in order to enable a proper undeTStandlng of the accounts to be reachecL -.7th November 2022............ Katherine Prince AVOW