56 Fore Street, Totnes, TQ9 5RP Registered Charity Number 1147962
Church Family Night & AGM
Wednesday 18th October 2023
38 members were present and apologies had been received from 4 members. The meeting was quorate.
Dave Eaton, Chair of the Trustees welcomed everyone and opened the meeting in prayer.
Phil Watson led those present in a time of worship.
Introduction & Purpose of the meeting Dave Eaton
Review of 2022
Our membership is currently 80, with several families moving in the past year, but we have welcomed new members too. Our Sunday service congregation is approximately 100.
As a church family, we commit to meeting twice a year to hear news of all that is going on in the life of the church. One of these meetings is our Annual General Meeting in which we present the Annual Financial Report, which will come later and a Report of Church Life to the church, ahead of presenting them to the Charity Commission.
This year you will hear a short summary from me and then each member of the prayer planning team will come forward and share more from different areas of church life. This will demonstrate the number of ministries and activities that the church supports every week.
Trustees meet every two months and are supported by the operations coordinator who minutes the meetings. Totnes United Free Church exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make Him known.
This is fulfilled by a staff team of a pastor and operations coordinator. All other ministries are staffed by church members on a volunteer basis.
One of the key developments in 2022 was the decision to employ two interns with support from the South West Baptist Association. Therefore, in September 2022 we welcomed Lu to the
church and in November Meagan joined. We are grateful as a church family for those who opened their homes and lives to support Meg and Lu during their time in Totnes.
One of the key areas of ministry that was developed was the Living Room. This was an outreach to the town, a warm space over winter and an opportunity for deeper conversations over a coffee. The after party is a key aspect where members of the team share a small passage from the bible or a testimony and discussions flow. We have seen people take steps to come to church and become regular attendees through the outreach of the Living Room
As Trustees we received a request for a sabbatical from the Pastor. We were pleased to be able to support this request for a 3 month sabbatical in 2023.
To support the church family in the absence of a pastor the Prayer Planning Team was created to provide spiritual and pastoral support to the church family. They have continued in this as Ade Gascoyne left Totnes United Free church at the beginning of September to join the navy as a chaplain.
These are their reports:
The Living Room
Pauline Simpson
This term Living Room Cafe was firstly managed by our wonderful band of volunteers, until John & Penny recently took on managing this outreach, and they are doing a great job. The Living Room Cafe is the front face of TUFC - open to all and it aims to be a place of warmth, love, peace, acceptance and a place for many encounters with the love of Jesus. Each Tuesday and Thursday you will find many people here ranging from a new born baby to a 95 year old! There are opportunities to chat and most people are happy to share their thoughts on faith and their experiences or concerns and happy to receive prayer. Some guests have also come into Create and Womens Scripture and some have come in on a Sunday.
Prayer Pauline Simpson
There are many opportunities throughout every week to pray. It is vitally important that we pray! Monday Evening 7-8pm
Led by Polly and me.
We use our Bibles which are our prayer books! We worship and pray for anything and everything! Wednesday Morning 7.30 - 8am
Sundays
Jean Le Roux
WORSHIP & SERMON:
Our worship teams regularly lead us into the Presence of God as we worship, and the sermons we hear are inspiring and often challenging.
LOVING & WELCOMING CHURCH:
I want to say thank you for being part of such a welcoming church and for making newcomers feel welcomed and loved.
PRAYERS:
We have also started praying for situations; events and people groups that God puts on our hearts.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY:
For me I sense a general feeling of family, friendship and community being developed as we meet on Sunday mornings and have lunches together. EXPECTANT HEART:
We are in an exciting time when, I believe, God wants to MOVE even more powerfully in our Sunday Services, so let’s come to church with an EXPECTATION of God being WITH us and making His Presence known among us.
CAP
Phil Watson
Partner Churches
The South Hams CAP Centre has been well supported by individuals and by our partner churches. We now have five churches supporting our centre as follows:Dartmouth Baptist Church (DBC). Flavel Church - in Dartmouth (joined us this year). Kingsbridge Family Church (KFC). South Hams Christian Fellowship (SHCF)- in Kingsbridge. Totnes United Free Church (TUFC).
CAP has a Support Team, Debt Coaches and is managed by JEN SWEET - CAP South West Area Manager
Tech Teams - Sound and Projection
Phil Watson
Eric Oppong continues to the the lead for the sound and projection teams, for which we sincerely thank him. We are beginning to take a look at our equipment and see how it could be improved to facilitate a better outcome for our services.
Music Teams
• Liz Gopal has now stepped down as our Music Worship Leader, and we would once again like to thank her so much for all she has done with our worship teams over the past seven or so years. Her encouragement, vision and skill has led our music teams forward to the position we enjoy today.
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Tristan Snowsill has kindly taken on the task of producing rotas for the worship teams, and we thank him for that.
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Sunday mornings and the occasional midweek meetings are served by a number of worship leaders who take responsibility for their team from week to week. This arrangement seems to be working well, and thank you to all the worship leaders and musicians who make up these teams.
• Please pray about the possibility of God calling someone to take on the role of Worship Leader, as Liz has done in the past.
Church Groups & Alpha
Fraser Nute
There are nine different groups here at Totnes United Free and I’d like to give thanks and celebrate God’s goodness to the Mission Communities in Bridgetown, Diptford, Ipplepen & Totnes, along with Create, Women’s Scripture, Men’s Group, Kintsugi Hope & Alpha.
As a church we believe in the value of small groups - groups of up to 12-15 people meeting together through the week. These groups are a microcosm of the larger church and provide pastoral support, fellowship and a way to share our lives. They also enable people to discover and develop their spiritual gifts, learn from God’s word, worship and pray, and serve together. All these elements are integral to these friendship groups and they are open to everyone.
We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the faithful and faith filled team of people who have led our groups over the last year: Phil & Lynn, Matt & Liz, John & Margaret, Pete & Pauline, Jean & Rachel, Humfrey & Rosemary.
Our Church mission statement is: ‘Going with the Good News and Growing Followers of Jesus.’ These small groups will always be doing that: helping people in the community meet Jesus and enabling everyone to grow in their faith and find a home in this church family. All the Mission Communities reported that they had met regularly throughout the year for fellowship and Bible study, supporting group members with prayer and practically.
Create: A group for arts and crafts on a Tuesday, with people enjoying discovering their artistic skills they didn’t know they had, which is a great encouragement. The group chat and share as they paint or craft and it’s been exciting to welcome one or two new people. People seem to feel comfortable and at home together. It’s a great group.
Women’s Scripture: We have about 12 women meeting together on Thursdays at 10 here in the Cream Room. The highlight this term has been members stepping out of their comfort zone and leading a Bible study with great support from the whole group. We have developed strong supportive relationships and have welcomed a couple of new people which is greatly encouraging. We share our prayer needs and pray for each other. It’s a vibrant, lively support group of women seeking to know more of the Lord.
Men’s Group: Men in our church and occasional others meet on Thursdays at 10am usually at the Quayside Bistro. Our discussions are purely Holy Spirit led and often go deep into the Word covering a vast range of topics.
Alpha: This year we have 11 guests on our Alpha course. Unusually our ages range from 17 - 75! Each guest is seriously seeking Jesus, and we already trust one another to disagree well,
and to laugh and to cry together. A big thank you to our faithful prayer team… we couldn’t do this without strong spiritual support. Ric and Emma you’re the best helpers we could ask for, thank you.
Youth and Children
Dave Eaton
Our creche children have grown and become school age children.
Children – Mary writes, it has been a tremendous privilege to lead the children ministry for almost 20 years. The team has lost some key members recently with Alex passing away and the Shilstons moving to a church closer to home. Despite this there is a team in place during this term.
Helen has stepped onto the team and is helping with back hall creative sessions which involve those who have just started school.
Mary is really sad to say goodbye to the children and the team and her hope is that someone will be found to lead this group.
Dave thanked Mary who has led the team so brilliantly and faithfully, and reiterated her call for an overseer to step up.
Youth: Paul & Hannah Dixon have stepped down from leading the youth, and we now have Hannah Harris in that role. She has asked for prayer for building relationships and for those who are no longer youth and have moved on.
Finance
Carol Leigh
The formal audit of accounts by Tony Jopson was received and accepted.
The year 2022 saw a significant percentage drop in income largely due to the effects of the Pandemic. The drop was significant that the auditor was considering issuing a qualification against the accounts which would have meant that we could not have continued to trade as a going concern. Praise God we are turning this around and many thanks to church members and friends for increased financial support.
| Accounts 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Total Income: | £67,746 |
| Total Expenditure: | £87,966 |
| Loss: | £20,220 |
| Accounts Year to Date 2023 | |
| Total Income: | £92,632 |
| Total Expenditure: | £78,963 |
| Surplus: | £13,669 |
Going Forward - The process for finding our next Pastor
Our envisioning evenings are happening here at church on: Wednesday 15th November at 7.30pm Wednesday 22nd November at 7.30pm Wednesday 29th November at 7.30pm
All of them will be facilitated by Carl Smethurst of the SW Baptist Union and he will set the format of the evenings, but they will in turn look at the Past, Present and Future of TUFC in order for us to then write our church profile.
The church profile will have: An introduction The church as it is now Information on the surrounding community The church we wish to see Ministry we are seeking History Practical matters
We hope to have an online link for those who cannot be here for every meeting.
But our process starts now with our praying and that is the responsibility of all of us.
Special Guest
Ade Gascoyne
Ade had sent us a short video message.
His nickname is Bish (short for Bishop) and he’s grateful that everyday he is able to share something of God and that the men expect him to pray before they go out training, change leaders etc. One young man said, ‘I’m not religious, but your prayers move me.’ Ade was able to share with him that this is the Holy Spirit making himself known. Some have joined the evening Communion service and he has had to order Bibles for some of the men.
He asked us to pray for him and Mary and the girls as they deal with the separation, that they would find a house; for his training on Dartmoor and his first posting on a destroyer in a month’s time.
From the floor
Matt Gopal thanked the Trustees for their leadership of the church.
The evening closed with members praying in small groups.
We were encouraged to pray for Ade’s requests and for the vision evenings and for the Pastor that God is calling to TUFC.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S RF.PORT TO THE MF.IBF.Rs OF TOTNF.S UNITED FREE CHURCH l TCPOrt on thc accounts of Totnes Unit¢d Fr¢¢ Chwch for th¢ year ¢ndcd 31 Dcccmbcr 2022, which are set out on pages 8 to 13 below. The charity's tNsiees are responsible for the preparaiion ofihe accounts. The charity's tNstces consider that an audit is not required for ihis year undcr section 144 of the Charities Aci 2011 {"'the Chariiies Act".) and ihai an independent examinaiion is needed. It is my responsibility io.. examinL ihe aLLounts under section 145 of the Chariiies Act, io follow (he pn)cedures laid down in ihe general Direciions given by the Charity Cornmission lundcr scction 14515)Ibl of thc Charitics Acl, and to 5tdtc whcihcr partlLILlar mattcrs ha¢ comc to my attcnlion. My cxainination was Caled oui in accordance wilh general Directions gyji'cn by the Charity Coynmission. An examination includcs a r¢vi¢M' of ihc accoui)til)¥ Tclords kept by the c111£ riiy and a comparison of ihe accouni.s presenied wilh Ihose records. It also includes considerdlion of any unusual ilems or disclosures in the account5. and scckingv ¢xplanations from ihc t1¢¢% ¢on¢crning any such iT)att¢rs. Th¢ procedure.s undLnaken do noi proi'ide all Ihe ei'idencc thai would bc required in an IILidil, and LonsLquLntly no opinion is gTivcn ds io whLthcr thc aLLounis presci)I d 'Inie and fair, N'iew. and the rcptsrt is limited io those mailer$ Sei oui in ihe staieineni bclow. In LonncLtion with my cxainindtion, no mditcr hdb Lomc lo my diicniion which gil'es me reasonable cause to believe ihal in. any material respeci. the requircmcnlb.. io keep accounting records in accorddnce with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and to Pr¢Pa accounts m.hich accord with ihc accounling cOrdS and comply with the aLcounting requirements ofthe Charities Act ha'e not been Inet,. or 2. to H.hirh, in my opinion. attcntion should b¢ drawn in ord¢r to ¢nabl¢ a propcr understanding of ihe aLLounls io be reaLhed. (13103 APJO son Date Member of Associalion of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Tony Jopsgn & Co. 246 P¢Y¢r¢ll Park Road. Plymouth. PL3 4QG
TOTNES UNITED FREE CHURCH sTATEIErT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including illtome and expenditure account) for the vear tnded 31 Deeember 2022 Unrestricted Funds Reslricted Funds l-otal 2022 Total 2021 Notes Incomin% resources IncomiThg resources from generated fund5 Volunrary InLomc Invcstmeni iiicome Jneoming rLisourees from charltable getlvltles Oiher aciii'iiies 51.270 590 832 52.102 590 69,296 2,408 15.055 15.055 16,432 Total incoming resources 832 67.747 88.136 Resour¢e$ ¢xp¢nd¢d Chdritdblc aLtivitics 87.139 %32 7,972 84,225 TotAI resources expended 87.139 32 lJ7,972 84.225 Net incomlng resources {20.224) {20.224) .1,911 Total fund.s at l January 57.819 57.1119 53,()08 TotAI fund5 at 31 December 37.595 57,819
TOTNES UNITED FREE CHURCH BALANCE SHEET at 31 December 2022 2021 l%oies FIXED IISSETS Tangiblc asseis 11.328 18,873 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash Ai bank and in hand 5,649 31.640 7,309 32.393 37.289 39.702 CREDITORS: amounts fallinr dul ivithin onl yeaT Crediiors A¢Lruals (8.807) 12.215) 15561 12001 (11,022} 1756) Net current assets 26,267 311,¥46 NET ASSETS 37,595 57,819 UnrestriLicd funds. Restricted funds 37,595 57,819 TOTAL FUNDS Theb¢ accoLinis hav¢ be¢n prepared in a¢¢ordanc¢ M'ith the financial provisions appli¢abl¢ to ¢ompai)i¢s ¥ubj¢¢t to thc small companics rcgime and in accordance wilh FRS102 SORP. ThL financial stdtcmcnls on pages 9 10 13 M'ere approied by the Trust on and signed on their behalf by'.- Carol Leigh Treasurer
Totnes United Free Church 2023 Projected Year End Artual Year End Actuals year ends 2021 Description INCOME Offering- Non Gift Aiil Gift Aid Receipts Restricted Givin8 Received Tax Refunds on Gift Aid Dividends Received Grants Received Leg¥cie5 Church Room Hire Lorry Use Income Bank Interest Received Hendra Trust Interest Brite Festival CAP designated donation5 Lee Abbey Living Room Donations Youth work Receipt5 Insurance Claims Support for Interns Alpha Income Other Income 2022 2020 69(X) 42CK¥J 12010 6906 11699 9956 56410 42277 57297 55575 550 12606 29 831 10619 21 loo 13432 32 800 16686 12535 15 444 20 2000 1910 4200 49(K) 630 150 13 sso 36 118 1675 io 580 2406 120 460 940 960 1538 86 460 127 1205 559 25 2SOO 296 TOTAL INCOME 67246 92632 67746 86933 88716 DIRECT EXPENSES TOTAL DIRECT EXPENSES 3556 3329 1888 3859 GIVING Support & Giving to Missions ' Giving to Charitable Causes CAP Charity Tear Fund BP & HS Rex Missionaries Kinsugi Hope Prayer Wave Speaker's Honorariums S W Baptist A550ciation Gifts for Congregation Restricted Funds Used 4920 5660 5402 6044 720 720 720 933 ios 3000 20(X) 385 30CK) 3200 3000 361 360 Iso 2020 200 550 1800 113 832 586 160 30(K) 387 400 533 31N) TOTAL GIVING 11440 11693 12686 12357 15366 OVERHEADS Employment C05tS Sub-Total 3868a 41152 48509 47174 52022
Establishrnent Costs Sub-Total 10250 11081 7809 6552 7260 Manse (Hendra) 3921 5516 4410 Offlce 650 236 632 1003 1391 Fees & Subscriptions 1782 1992 2131 2244 Repalrs Renewals & Maintenance I21 1637 1145 675 2856 Other 3149 1073 893 Depreciation Equipment Depreciation 3936 3936 4S96 3936 Sub-Total 3936 3936 4596 3785 Suspense Sub-Total 59 TOTAL EXPENDITURE TOTAL GIVING 61X)59 67270 11693 75280 12686 66124 12357 80336 16106 11440 TOTAL OVERHEAOS 71499 78963 87966 78481 96442 SURPLUSIDEFICIT -4253 13670 -20220 8453 -7726
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S RF.PORT TO THE MF.IBF.Rs OF TOTNF.S UNITED FREE CHURCH l TCPOrt on thc accounts of Totnes Unit¢d Fr¢¢ Chwch for th¢ year ¢ndcd 31 Dcccmbcr 2022, which are set out on pages 8 to 13 below. The charity's tNsiees are responsible for the preparaiion ofihe accounts. The charity's tNstces consider that an audit is not required for ihis year undcr section 144 of the Charities Aci 2011 {"'the Chariiies Act".) and ihai an independent examinaiion is needed. It is my responsibility io.. examinL ihe aLLounts under section 145 of the Chariiies Act, io follow (he pn)cedures laid down in ihe general Direciions given by the Charity Cornmission lundcr scction 14515)Ibl of thc Charitics Acl, and to 5tdtc whcihcr partlLILlar mattcrs ha¢ comc to my attcnlion. My cxainination was Caled oui in accordance wilh general Directions gyji'cn by the Charity Coynmission. An examination includcs a r¢vi¢M' of ihc accoui)til)¥ Tclords kept by the c111£ riiy and a comparison of ihe accouni.s presenied wilh Ihose records. It also includes considerdlion of any unusual ilems or disclosures in the account5. and scckingv ¢xplanations from ihc t1¢¢% ¢on¢crning any such iT)att¢rs. Th¢ procedure.s undLnaken do noi proi'ide all Ihe ei'idencc thai would bc required in an IILidil, and LonsLquLntly no opinion is gTivcn ds io whLthcr thc aLLounis presci)I d 'Inie and fair, N'iew. and the rcptsrt is limited io those mailer$ Sei oui in ihe staieineni bclow. In LonncLtion with my cxainindtion, no mditcr hdb Lomc lo my diicniion which gil'es me reasonable cause to believe ihal in. any material respeci. the requircmcnlb.. io keep accounting records in accorddnce with section 130 of the Charities Act,. and to Pr¢Pa accounts m.hich accord with ihc accounling cOrdS and comply with the aLcounting requirements ofthe Charities Act ha'e not been Inet,. or 2. to H.hirh, in my opinion. attcntion should b¢ drawn in ord¢r to ¢nabl¢ a propcr understanding of ihe aLLounls io be reaLhed. (13103 APJO son Date Member of Associalion of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Tony Jopsgn & Co. 246 P¢Y¢r¢ll Park Road. Plymouth. PL3 4QG