CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2022 ## Contents |Minister’s Report|5| |---|---| |Trustee’s Report|7| |Outreach Ministries|8| |Noah’s Ark|8| |Cafe on the Way (Pulse)|8| |Pebblestones|8| |Time for you|9| |Winter Night Shelter|9| |Maintenance and Infrastructure Group|9| |Prayer|10| |Pastoral Work|10| |Home Groups|11| |Missions Supported|12| |Financial review|14| |Reference and Administrative Details|16| |Charity Structure, Governance and Management|17| |Accounts|19| |Independent Examiner’s Report|21| 3 ## Minister’s Report The last twelve months at Whaddon Way Church have been nothing short of epic. We have had some soaring highs; immense spiritual, numerical, and financial growth; the flourishing and development of our Community Engagement Group; regular and developing partnerships with surrounding schools; a steady influx of younger churchgoers; and the development and take-up of mulLple thriving discipleship structures. We have also experienced lows; the loss of loved ones and members of our church family; a period without a church administrator; and ongoing capacity-based barriers. AMer the Whaddon Way and St Mary’s congregaLons merged in February last year, we underwent a Lme of prayer and collaboraLve reflecLon on who we feel God is calling us to be as a new congregaLon. During this Lme, we idenLfied three areas that we wanted to focus on in 2022/23. These were: 1. Unity: Growing together as a single congregaLon, united in the Holy Spirit and using our diverse history and faith expressions to discern who God is calling us to be. 2. Healing: healing relaLonships with each other and our surrounding community and creaLng a safe environment for us to heal from the traumas of the past church split, the recent pandemic, and the graMing of congregaLons. 3. Vision: Trying to answer the quesLons, who is God calling us to be, and how can we become that church? as individuals and a faith community. If one was to walk into Whaddon Way Church Centre on any given Sunday morning, or during the week, they would see how much we have grown in the first two points. We are no longer ‘Whaddon Way’, ‘St Mary’s’ or ‘new people’, but Whaddon Way Church. The feeling of hospitality and Spirit of welcome is tangible. While we need to remain intenLonal in creaLng unity and facilitaLng healing, God is on the move, and we are firmly strapped in for the ride. Going forward, our vision, we feel that God is calling us to be a metaphorical lighthouse in Whaddon Way: Guiding ANYONE to the safe harbour that is life in Christ. We envision achieving this through an Inward, Upward and Outward Focus for 2023/24: **Inward:** might encounter Jesus, be transformed into the people that they were created to be (as a result empowering us to be transformed along with them) and find a place where they can belong and parLcipate in faith and life. 5 **Upward:** Growing together, as a diverse and growing faith community, in our knowledge and love of God. Allowing the reality of God at work in our community and society to define the way that we pracLcally express our faith. Bonded in faith and united in prayer. **Outward:** CreaLng an intenLonal culture of outward-focussed living. To us worship is more than singing songs of praise, it is pracLcally demonstraLng and advocaLng for God’s characterisLcs of love, inclusivity, jusLce, compassion, and grace. We want to be intenLonal about being the image of God within our areas of influence so that the seeds of God’s kingdom might be sown. We are passionate about relaLonal evangelism. In 2023/4, we will have mulLple ministries and events to enable the above vision and mission. These have not been listed, however, as the only way that we will achieve this vision is if the enLre church body is living out their unique calling within our communal idenLty. So, for this year, please allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in how you parLcipate in Whaddon Way Church; if it is to rest and heal, allow us to love you; if it is to take a break from aeending on a Sunday, please don’t disconnect, but rather find a home group or ministry group to aeend; if it is to challenge yourself, why not try something new that makes you uncomfortable; or if it is to lead, why not speak to me and we can figure that out together. Let us strive for unity in love, to be constant students of Jesus (disciples), allow the Holy Spirit to conLnue its work in and through us, and pray conLnuously. Rev. Peter Landry 6 ## Trustee’s Report In 2022 the elected trustees were Kathy Scarborough (Chair), David Miller (Finance), Rita James (Assistant Finance), Sheraya Fourie (Secretary), Phil Bates, Sue North, Georgy Holden. Peter Landry as Minister is automaLcally a trustee. Geoff Hamilton was a trustee unLl October 2022. The trustees meet regularly to oversee the work of the church, to discuss maeers affecLng the church and prepare agendas for Church MeeLngs. The new members of the Trustee Group have successfully merged with the exisLng Trustees. The trustees are delighted that, aMer 2 years of Covid, the church is being revitalized as people have returned and new members have joined the congregaLon. The trustees have planned new ways of doing church in light of lessons learned about the use of technology in church aMer lockdown. At the AGM three members of the Trustees will be standing down and the Trustees are seeking new members who would be prepared to step up to be part of this team carrying out this vital work of Church governance. This report shows some of the many acLviLes at Whaddon Way, many of which reach out and provide benefit to the local community. The church building also hosts many external organisaLons working in the community on a regular basis. The trustees are pleased to report that the number of church members at the end of 2022 was 66 and this number is rising. Kathy Scarborough 7 ## Outreach Ministries ## Noah’s Ark Noah’s Ark – runs weekly during term Lme. Our records at present show we have 12 preschool children and 4 babies/toddlers. There is no charge. WWC is a safe place for mums/dads/carers and their babies/toddlers/children. There are loads of acLviLes. All enjoy the snack, story and song Lme. We have leaders that help out with selng up and down, in the kitchen and more importantly mingling with adults and children. Keith draws up a rota of helpers. We would like more volunteers so that we could have a two week rota of helpers. Those that help at the moment are Keith and Sue Gibbs, Angela Miller, Linda Winstanley, Ann Ormrod & Joy Arnold ## Cafe on the Way (Pulse) Café on the Way has one paid Youth Worker – Marco Loxley and two volunteers – Sue & Keith Gibbs. Sue & Keith would like more volunteers so that they could be involved with this very important work on a fortnightly basis. Or even people to help set up (2pm) and clear away (5pm) including pulng out chairs ready for Sunday worship. During term Lme and every Friday between 3pm and 5pm we have appx 36 young people ranging from 11 – 16 years come to WWC using the foyer and worship area – lads and lassies. This is a safe place for one and all. There are numerous electronic games, indoor sports games and board games. In the summer games are played on the grass space opposite the church. The kitchen is a busy place to be offering hot chocolate, toast and toppings, squash and biscuits. WWC pays Marco to work among the young people and he is much liked by all who come to Café on the Way. There are opportuniLes to chat with those who come regularly. Trust builds up between Marco, Sue & Keith and the young people and oMen deep conversaLons can take place. Some of the young people are vulnerable, many are delighpul. So, anyone is welcome. ## Pebblestones group which meets in the church building and aims is to provide free support to local children aged 6-12 years old with dyslexia or difficulty in school, helping to improve their literacy, maths and confidence skills. Volunteers assist David with such jobs as hearing the children read. The group has a waiLng list. Pebblestones works with around 7 children at a Lme, and over the years has helped about 150 children. David and volunteers also work with adults needing help with literacy. David would welcome more volunteers to assist with this ministry to help him meet the demand in the area. 8 ## Time for you T4U is a weekly meeLng which runs 50 weeks of the year. On the books at the moment we have 36 senior people. We all contribute a £1 a week. Some are ChrisLans mainly from WWC and others come from local churches in the W Bletchley area but many have no faith. There are six leaders but Sue Gibbs is the overall leader. T4U has a varied programme ranging from visiLng speakers, keep fit classes, coach trips to the Cotswolds and this year to Eastbourne. Sue always likes to celebrate Christmas and Easter services and many of our speakers share their ChrisLan life stories too including Peter Landry. We start each meeLng with refreshments and much chaeer. We celebrate everyone’s birthday with flowers or giMs - for the men! It is a delighpul club to be involved in. We have enough leaders with many giMings among us - Sue Gibbs, Thelma & Tony Warner, Pat Morgan, Monica Loveland, Derek Bignell, Richard Dayton. ## Winter Night Shelter WWC has opened up the building for 23 Sundays and on average there has been about 6 people usually men and occasionally a lady. The volunteers for making up the bedding have been amazing. Thanks to all of them. There are three shiMs – 8pm – 10pm; 10pm – 7am; 7am – 8.30am – selng up, all night, clearing away. Usually there are few issues but occasionally there have been very difficult guests. Staff have enjoyed games of chess and table tennis with the guests. Over the whole period we have been informed that 25 guests have been moved on to various types of accommodaLon. Very rewarding indeed. It would be good to have more overnight and morning volunteers so that the shiMs could have more helpers. ## Maintenance and Infrastructure Group This group has all but disbanded but its role was to coordinate maintenance and repair of the Church and Manse. Ken has chaired this group and Keith was secretary but would like to step down from this posiLon. This groups responsibiliLes was also to include the purchase of equipment and furniture. There has in the past been a sub-group responsible for the sound, visual equipment and computers. This has now been taken over by a new group. Work done this year has been the replacement of lights in room three (upstairs) a light in the kitchen and changing all the flushing elements in the toilets. Also replaced was a new hand drier in the ladies toilets. A new racking system was erected for all the Noah’s Ark equipment. Also in the Manse some of the double glazing has been replaced. To date thanks go to Stan Lodge, David Arnold, Paul & Ann Ormrod and Paul Davis for the help this last year and Brian Fox for the electrical tesLng. 9 ## Prayer **Prayer Sunday –** Prayers are said before, during and aMer any morning service. During the summer months an act of prayer is held for an hour. **Monday -** Prayers are held every Monday evening throughout the year. We have about six prayer intercessors. We have people wanLng personal prayer for all sorts of reasons. Usually two intercessors go in the vestry with a visitor requiring prayers. The remaining prayers stay in the foyer praying for those in the vestry and other folks we know need prayer. **Tuesday –** Two home groups meet on a Tuesday. Both groups count prayer as one of the most important parts of their get togethers. **Wednesday –** A further two home groups on a Wednesday aMernoon and evening. Again prayer is central to these groups. **Thursday** – Prayers are said before the start of Noah’s Ark. Prayers are usually shared in the early evening by the those involved in the following Sunday’s worship. **Fridays –** Prayers are shared before the start of Café on the Way **Saturday** – No group prayers on a Saturday **Prayer Chain** - An email prayer chain is used to circulate requests for prayer for anyone in urgent need who is happy for their details to be shared with the members of the prayer chain group. Any member of the church with a heart for prayer can sign up to be part of this group. **Prayer team** It would be good to have a few more gentlemen to boost our number. ## Pastoral Work At present we have three main avenues of Pastoral Care at WWC: 1. Home Groups. 2. The Prayer Ministry Team (including the prayer chain). 3. The Pastoral Meals Team. This is a fundamental ministry at WWC with a huge scope for growth and development. We currently need someone to head up this group as a ministry lead with the jobs of oversight, team collaboraLon and group development. If you feel that this is a role that God is calling you into, please do speak to Peter Landry. A DBS check will be required. 10 ## Home Groups ## **Keith Gibbs and Esther Pearce** The Tuesday evening Home Group meets from 7pm – 8.30pm and at the present Lme we are meeLng at Stan’s & Beryl’s home but could resume at Keith & Sue’s home when evenings are lighter and warmer. Our current numbers are seven including Lucy-Ann. She normally reads the scripture we are studying and comes out with some amazing contribuLons. We value the work put in by Keith and Esther. Stan has incredible Bible knowledge which is always helpful. We value meeLng together, studying the quesLons from the Sermon sent to us two days before our meeLng, praying together and supporLng one another. We are happy to conLnue studying the sermon quesLons sent to us each week. ## **Ken Pikethly and Kathy Scarborough** This group meets on a Tuesday Evening in the Church building, there are seven regular aeendees, but occasionally more join the group. We study the previous Sunday sermon and help each other to learn more about God and our personal faith. We pray for each other and the church. The highlights have been meeLng together aMer 2 years of Zoom meeLngs, face to face meeLngs are much easier for supporLng one another and sharing. Many thanks to Ken for leading the group. More members would be welcomed. ## **David and Joy Arnold and John and Sue North** This group meets every Wednesday aMernoon in the Church building. The group aims to create a safe and friendly space for group members to feel confident to speak openly, pray together and come closer to God. Around 10 people regularly aeend the group. The group reads the Bible passage and discusses the sermon from the previous Sunday using the quesLons set by the preacher. The highlights of the year have been gelng to know people, being able to share different points of view and laughing together. All group members make contribuLons in different ways but thanks to Sue who oMen brings home made cake. ## **Sue and Les Smith and Peter Landry** This group usually meets at Sue and Les’s home in Furzton on a Tuesday evening. The group regularly has at least 10 aeendees who receive a warm welcome from their hosts. The evening frequently starts with a few songs led by Les on guitar, everyone makes suggesLons and a theme oMen emerges from the choices. Like other groups the quesLons around the previous Sunday’s sermon are used as the framework for discussion but the conversaLon oMen diverges in unexpected ways as people share their experiences and thoughts. The group aims to support one another and to be able to share the pains and joys of life. Highlights have been a gathering which enabled members to meet together in a more social selng, special thanks to Linda for hosLng that and providing great food. 11 ## Missions Supported Whaddon Way Church shows its support for those serving God here in the UK and abroad, primarily through prayer and financial giving to the organisaLons below, and by developing relaLonships with individuals and families engaged in mission. For example, we have links with three partners serving God in Peru with the BMS World Mission: a couple working in the training of new leaders and with local churches, an environmental community worker and a couple currently training before joining the long term programme in Peru. We have also commieed to pray for a Church community in Luuka in Uganda and have recently raised money to dig a well for fresh water to the local villages. Nearer to home, we support and work alongside the Milton Keynes Bridgebuilder Trust whose schools workers visit primary and secondary schools on a regular basis, taking lessons and assemblies – helping children and young people to consider their beliefs, explore ChrisLanity and make posiLve life choices. The following missions were supported in 2022 ## **Borehole Mission in Uganda** WWC raised money to sink a second borehole in an area of Uganda where access to clean water is very limited. The money was raised through a special appeal to church members. ## **BapMst Missionary Society** WWC conLnues to support this missionary society which delivers pracLcal help and takes to good news of Jesus to hard to reach communiLes worldwide. ## **Feba life giving media** WWC supports this mission that works with local partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to deliver radio and audio educaLon, pracLcal informaLon as well as messages of hope and encouragement. ## **Tearfund** This ChrisLan charity works to improve the lives of people living in poverty, including responding to crises and natural disasters. The charity also campaigns on the effects of climate change and polluLon on the lives of impoverished communiLes. In 2022 WWC raised more than £200 for Tearfund by holding a “Big Quiz” night. 12 ## **Bridgebuilder Trust** The Bridgebuilder trust works with schools in Milton Keynes to support spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and ChrisLan understanding. In 2022 WWC hosted Christmas and Easter Cracked with Bridgebuilder and welcomed hundreds of local school children into the building. ## **Missionary AviaMon Fellowship** WWC supports the work of MAF to bring the gospel and access to health care, educaLon and supplies to isolated communiLes through its airplanes. 13 ## Financial review ## **COVID19** Lelngs income gradually recovered to pre-pandemic levels through the year. With the building being open for increasing hours through the year, gas and electricity usage also increased, but have not yet quite reached pre-pandemic levels. ## **Unrestricted funds** With the appointment of an Anglican Pioneer minister in training early in the year, we have had no ministerial salary to pay and that will conLnue to be the case for another year. Having also welcomed a group of members of St Mary’s Church, Bletchley, who transferred to us during February, our regular donaLon income has grown by 20%. We have transferred £10k from the General Fund to a new designated fund to cover future ministerial salary costs which we will be expected to contribute towards on a tapered basis from 2024. Unrestricted income exceeded expenditure by £22.4k. ## **Restricted funds** ## **Winter Night Shelter Fund** for laundry, but those will fall into 2023. ## **Uganda** We raised the sum of £2.5k from church members in order to fund the provision of another borehole and topped up the funds raised by using £1.1k from our General Fund. ## **Other restricted funds** Other restricted fund receipts and payments consisted mostly of club subscripLons and running expenses. ## **Fixed Assets** our insurer, which involved a site visit by their surveyor. The figure has increased in line with the sum insured since that survey. ## **LiabiliMes: BapMst Pension Scheme** by the BU to address this - the “Family SoluLon” - which have included a large injecLon of cash from BU reserves. The church conLnues to pay deficit contribuLons. The esLmated debt aeributed to our church has reduced again in 2022 from £17.6k at the start of the year to £7.4k at the end. ## **Risk Management** The Church has agreed policies for Safeguarding and health and safety guidelines which are communicated to users. Training for Safeguarding is arranged for all appropriate regular volunteers. 14 ## The accounts are updated as transacLons occur. Every month the accounLng records are reconciled with the bank accounts, and total fund values are reconciled with these. A summary report is normally provided to Trustees aMer each month end and a more detailed report at the end of each quarter. ## **Adequacy of reserves** present to cover the costs of employing a full-Lme minister. With the appointment of a Pioneer Minister early in 2022, funded iniLally by the Oxford Diocese, we have been advised to allow our reserves to grow, as the costs of this post will increasingly be borne by the church, on a tapered basis. The reserves can be used towards those ministerial costs if and when income fails to grow at the required rate. ## **Adequacy of insurance cover** Our insurer undertook a 5-year re-valuaLon of our building and contents during 2018, and the insurance cover was increased accordingly and has risen in line with inflaLon subsequently. ## **Dependency on sources of income** With the appointment of the Pioneer minister in February 2022, we welcomed a group of members of St Mary’s Church, Bletchley, who transferred to us at the same Lme. This has increased our donaLons income and reduced our dependence on an ageing membership. ## **Financial controls** 15 ## Reference and AdministraLve Details **Name of the Charity:** Whaddon Way Church ## **Address:** Beaverbrook Court, Whaddon Way, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 7JS **Charity Reference Number:** 1144502 ## **Minister:** Peter Landry appointed from February 2022 ## **Trustees:** Mrs Kathy Scarborough (Chair) Mr David Miller (Treasurer) Mr Philip Bates Ms Rita James Mrs Georgina Holden (from May 2022) Mrs Sue North (from May 2022) Mrs Sheraya Fourie (from May 2022) ## **Bankers:** CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ ## **Independent examiner:** Louise Tunley, Steve Monico Ltd, 19 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK40 3JY ## **Insurers:** BapLst Insurance Company plc, Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1JZ 16 ## Charity Structure, Governance and Management ## **Structure** Whaddon Way Church is a single congregaLon Anglican/BapLst LEP. Its area of ministry is primarily within the parish of St Mary’s, Bletchley. ## **Governance and Management** A new consLtuLon was adopted in October 2011 and entered in the Register of ChariLes with the Charity Commission on 2nd November 2011. Subsequently small revisions were made to provide for addiLonal trustees and methods of appointment of a Minister and Trustees. The consLtuLon provides for two Trustees to be appointed from St Mary’s Church, to reflect the fact that Whaddon Way Church is an LEP. The consLtuLon arLculates how the church will ensure that the Trustees carry the ulLmate legal responsibiliLes for decision-making, whilst the church meeLng conLnues to provide a vehicle for all members to vote on the issues that have to be dealt with. ## ## Minister Peter Landry Treasurer David Miller Accounts Examiner Louise Tunley Church Warden Vacant DBS Verifier Kathy Scarborough Safeguarding Officers Rita James/Geoff Hamilton Health and Safety Officer Fiona Davis ## **Group Leaders** Sunday Serving Overseas and Home Missions Support Jane Entwistle Maintenance & Infrastructure (Buildings) Ken Pitkethly Children and Youth Sue North CommunicaLons Sheraya Fourie Community Engagement Sue Gibbs Pastoral & Prayer Sue Gibbs/ Kathy Scarborough Finance David Miller Lelngs Keith Gibbs Grant ApplicaLons Pat Thomas Environment Group David Miller 17 ## **Post Holders** Administrator (part Lme) Maehew Maunder (Lll July 2022) Ruth Cooling (from Nov. 22) Copyright Recorder Geoff Hamilton (unLl Oct. 22) Care Line Co-ordinator Joy Arnold Technical Manager Paul Davis Catering Thelma Warner Music Co-ordinator Les Smith Deanery Synod Rep Ken Pitkethly Mission Partnership Rep Linda Winstanley Authorised Person for Marriages Joy Arnold Deputy Authorised Person Jane Entwistle 18 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Whaddon Way Church 1144502
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period
01-Jan-22 To 31-Dec-22
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Fundraising - 22.00 - 22.00 10.00
Standing orders 41,940.00 - - 41,940.00 33,450.00
Donations 7,582.53 2,511.65 - 10,094.18 6,968.28
Legacies - - - - 4,549.25
Loans converted to gifts - - - - -
Grants 5,000.00 - - 5,000.00 -
Gift Aid and GASDS 10,246.96 - - 10,246.96 16,554.60
Venue hire 9,639.13 - 9,639.13 4,743.00
Manse rent - - 9,600.00
Collections for other causes - 501.38 501.38 157.00
Other income 2,416.71 1,119.00 - 3,535.71 1,981.44
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 76,825.33 4,154.03 - 80,979.36 78,013.57
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 76,825.33 4,154.03 - 80,979.36 78,013.57
A3 Payments
Salaries and employment costs 8,443.68 - - 8,443.68 10,768.70
Ministry costs 8,053.86 1,325.81 - 9,379.67 7,290.57
Grants 9,267.50 2,923.10 - 12,190.60 18,340.00
Admin and office costs 3,178.56 - - 3,178.56 3,845.94
Insurance 1,974.71 - - 1,974.71 2,084.01
Energy and water costs 4,298.30 - - 4,298.30 2,407.70
Major projects 6,085.00 - 6,085.00 26,742.21
Other premises costs 13,113.34 - - 13,113.34 8,253.59
Fundraising expenses - - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 54,414.95 ] 4,248.91 - 58,663.86 79,732.72
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Loan repayments - capital - - - -
Loans converted to gifts - - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments [ 54,414.95 ] 4,248.91 - 58,663.86 79,732.72
Net of receipts/(payments) 22,410.38 - 94.88 - 22,315.50 - 1,719.15
A5 Transfers between funds - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 125,928.07 8,713.01 - 134,641.08 136,360.23
Cash funds this year end 148,338.45 8,618.13 - 156,956.58 134,641.08
**----- End of picture text -----**
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr0$triGled funds RestriGtod funds ¢0 n4ar•st £ Endowm&nt lund6 Cate