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2022-12-31-accounts

HIGHBURY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Oxford Street Cheltenham GL52 6DU

ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS 2022

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Highbury Congregational Church

Making connections in friendship, faith and mission with Christ at the centre and open to all.

Ministry Leadership Team

Minister Jason Boyd revdjasoncboyd@gmail.com Worship Maureen Williams worship@highburychurch.co.uk Children Andrea Lacey children@highburychurch.co.uk Discipleship Helen Bloxham Pastoral Care Laura MacLeod Louise Middleton Rachel Jacques

Diaconate (and Trustees) Secretary Mary Buchanan buchananm37@yahoo.com Treasurer Roger Gregory treasurer@highburychurch.co.uk Minister Jason Boyd revdjasoncboyd@gmail.com Deacons Adrian Blazey, Sue Cole, Iain MacLeod, Janet Partington, Angela Pickles Others Highbury News Sue Cole news@highburychurch.co.uk Safeguarding Nephesha Michael safeguarding@highburychurch.co.uk Church Office Admin admin@highburychurch.co.uk

Website: www.highburychurch.co.uk

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The Charitable Objects of Highbury Congregational Church

The principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the Christian Faith according to the principles and usages for the time being of Congregationalism and in accordance with any specific requirements in the foundation trusts. The church may also advance education, relieve need and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Governing document, THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, was adopted by Congregational Federation Limited on the 13th day of June 2009 as a recommended governing document for Congregational Churches who are members of the Congregational Federation and for whom Congregational Federation Limited are appointed as holding trustees, the form having been previously agreed between Congregational Federation Limited and the Charity Commission and also having been approved by HM Revenue and Customs.

Highbury Congregational Church began in 1827 and has been part of the Congregational Federation since 1972. The church is also a registered charity 1159085. We have adopted the Congregational Federation’s Declaration of Trust of 2009 as our Governing Document, supplemented by our own Working Practices Document (updated September 2022). Whilst we work closely with other Congregational Churches, all we do is decided and funded by our own Church Members. We have no outside source of funding and we do not have any outside body over us. All who belong are welcomed into church membership on confession of faith in God and Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Quarterly (and as required), Church Members meet for Church Meeting to seek the mind of Christ in shaping the life of the Church and setting the future direction of Church life. The Deacons serve the Church as Managing Trustees and ensure all the Church does is in keeping with its Charitable Objects as a Congregational Church and with reference to finances, safeguarding, health and safety, disability, employment and other legislation.

Our Mission

Our Mission is consonant with our Charitable Objects (as above): Highbury Congregational Church is a community connecting in friendship, faith, and mission with Christ at the centre and open to all.

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Minister’s Report

This year we have begun to enjoy the benefits of the vaccination programme enabling us to be together without distancing and mask wearing. As confidence has grown, we have seen increasing numbers of people worshipping in the building whilst still ensuring online participation.

It is a pleasure to see families and children participating in morning worship. In particular, it was a delight to celebrate Evelyn Francis’ baptism. Though our morning worship is more informal and inclusive of children, there remains a task for us to deepen our welcome and ensure that our worship is family friendly. There is nothing more delightful to me than the sound of children in our worship, making their way into the pulpit and exploring the wide space of the dais.

Messy Church, Community Café, Parent and Toddler Group, and HyTec are in person only and are thriving. The number of groups using the halls has gradually built up to prepandemic levels. It is a delight to have the building buzzing with activity.

My involvement at St. John’s Primary School began the year in the Head Teacher’s Office (!) conducting worship via Teams. This was an improvement from recording videos for teachers to use in the classroom but still far from ideal. It is an absolute pleasure to go into a packed assembly hall, play the piano, tell stories, and explore the value for the term with pupils and staff.

Mary Buchanan’s willingness to take on the role of Church Secretary has made a significant difference to my ministry and to the whole life of Highbury. Mary had begun the process of getting the practical affairs of Highbury into order during the second half of 2021. With her appointment in March 2022, she continued the momentum. We have benefitted from her considerable administrative skills and spiritual and theological insight.

Nephesha Michael remained as a deacon for an additional year and finally laid down her responsibilities at the AGM. On behalf of the church, I express our gratitude for her service, particularly her empathetic and wise reading of people and situations. She continues a supportive role for Mary and as Safeguarding Lead.

Lorraine Gasside stepped down as Pastoral Care Ministry Leader. She served in this role from its inception. It is impossible to quantify the way in which Lorraine led her team in caring for the Highbury Church family. We know that Lorraine’s care will continue but hopefully without the pressure of overall responsibility.

I was delighted when there was a grass roots desire for an Alpha Course. Janet Brown and Andrea Lacey were instrumental in drawing together a team of volunteers. The course has been well attended and people are making friendships and grappling with the big questions of life. We are already looking ahead to a course after Easter. Why not start praying for someone and bring them along to the course?

The Connect groups continue to meet in a variety of ways. Some are more active than others. Helen Bloxham has been key in drawing together the leaders of the groups. During the year, Connect groups were provided with discussion starters that accompanied sermon series on the Holy Habits themes of fellowship, making disciples, and on the covenant we have made together as a Congregational Church.

The Listening Exercise began with a small group at end of November 2021 and was progressed with a leadership away day. This was followed by several opportunities for the congregation to meet and discuss key questions. I am grateful to Mary for organising this

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and for transcribing the discussions. My bout with a chest infection followed by COVID-19 could have slowed the process down. However, Mary with Karen Haden, met and trawled through the feedback. Main themes were identified, and we had a further unpacking of these at our December Church Meeting. This is now shaping our planning for the year ahead to be presented at the 2023 AGM.

One of the challenges of the Cheltenham church scene is that there is no Churches Together. After conversations with several colleagues, it has become clear to me that it is not likely to be re-established. I have become involved in a monthly meeting of church leaders for lunch (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed). It has been good to build relationships. Who knows what will come of this?

On a different front, I have reached out to James White of The Cornerstone Centre, to explore mutual sharing with Highbury. I am hopeful that we will be able to develop a partnership.

It may be of interest that I had a face-to-face meeting with Alex Chalk, MP, at Highbury Church in January. I have been a regular correspondent regarding standards in public life and I asked if we could discuss matters. We were able to discuss local and national issues, including changes to marriage laws. He showed interest in the work of Highbury too. Whatever your political commitments, I found Alex to be a person of goodwill and integrity. It is important for us to pray for him and to continue to write to him in a constructive way for the public good.

At the September Church Meeting, I brought the words of a poster I had seen at a school. The quote was then turned on its head by our Church Secretary. Here are both sides of the coin:

Vision

Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.

Purpose and direction are not enough without effort and courage.

At the December Church Meeting, we paused to give thanks for the life of Rev’d Eric Burton who served as our minister from 1966-1977. His was an energetic and fruitful ministry. His influence continued long after he left. In an interview with Richard Cleaves, Eric recounted an exploratory conversation with the deacons at Highbury.

Fred Wright, a deacon and former Science Master at the Grammar School, asked, ‘Mr. Burton, if you come to this church, would you be prepared to experiment?’

Eric probed, ‘What do you mean by experiment?’

Fred explained, ‘Well it seems to me that you have a number of ideas that you would like to put into action. Would you be prepared to experiment?’ There was a long pause whilst Eric contemplated his response. Before he could get his thoughts together, Fred clarified further, ‘I think I might say, would you be prepared to experiment if we as deacons were prepared to recognise that sometimes your experiments might fail – if we continue to support you in spite of failure?’

Richard concluded the interview by asking Eric what his vision for Highbury would be for today. Eric didn’t miss a beat: ‘Be Thou my vision, Lord’, and laughed infectiously.

My vision for the coming year is that we would keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. May Christ fill our vision as we live the good news. What is

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that good news? God loves you and me. Jesus died and rose again for us. The Holy Spirit fills us so that we can live and speak of forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.

Are we prepared to experiment and fail and to experiment again so that we can find ways to welcome people in our life of worship? At my mid-term appraisal meeting, Iain McLeod said that ‘FAIL’ stands for ‘first attempt in learning’. What must change and develop in Highbury so that those who are not familiar with church will be put at ease and be able to relate to what we do? In a culture where people are used to interactive learning and discussions, how can we be more contemporary in our music and plain in our speaking and listening so that people will come to know Jesus as Lord?

Yours

Jason C. Boyd

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Secretary’s Report

Purpose of role - to be an enabler of the whole ministry of Highbury Congregational Church, by supporting the church leadership team and coordinating a variety of other roles and activities.

Report by Mary Buchanan, Church Secretary

Membership

New members: 0 Resignations: 2 Deaths: 1 Membership at the end of 2022: 98 total, 80 active Regular adherents: around 40 (include Messy Church parents)

Leadership Team

At the AGM in March 2022 Iain MacLeod stood down as Church Secretary and Nephesha Michael retired from the diaconate. In September 2022 Lorraine Gasside retired as Pastoral Care Ministry Leader after nine years in the role. Thanks to all three for their steadfast service to the church over the years – and their continuing service in different ways.

In spring 2022 the Ministry Leaders agreed that a reduced team was more appropriate for a time of reduced resources and activity, and ‘mothballed’ the roles of Youth Ministry Leader (subsumed into Children’s Work) and Mission and Outreach Leader. The structure of the Ministry Leaders Team will be revisited in 2023.

At the end of 2022 the Highbury Leadership Team consisted of: Minister (ex-officio member of diaconate and trustee): Jason Boyd Secretary (ex-officio member of diaconate and trustee): Mary Buchanan Treasurer (ex-officio member of diaconate and trustee): Roger Gregory Elected Deacons (and trustees): Adrian Blazey, Sue Cole, Iain Macleod, Janet Partington, Angela Pickles Worship Ministry Leader: Maureen Williams Children and Youth Ministry Leader: Andrea Lacey Discipleship Ministry Leader: Helen Bloxham Pastoral Care Ministry team: Laura MacLeod, Rachel Jacques, Louise Middleton

During the year we consolidated the pattern for annual appraisal for our paid staff (Minister, and Children and Families’ Worker) and are working on more regular reviews for the ministry leaders.

Church Organisation

During the year the trustees revisited their key responsibilities under the Charity Commission requirements and tightened up some of our practices. This exercise, and the experience gained from ‘doing church’ under COVID restrictions, led us to update the Working Practices Document; the updated version was approved at the September 2022 Church Meeting.

Administration

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Effective communication remains a challenge; the switch to predominantly email is great for many but always risks disenfranchising a few, so the hard copy option remains; whatsapp is excellent for online discussion, but not everyone is able to/wants to use the app; the church website is up and running, but there are still improvements to be made; our presence on Youtube and Facebook remains a useful method of communicating activities beyond the immediate congregation.

Keeping the church office organised and notices up to date, managing the accumulation of clutter around the building, keeping our waste and recycling tidy, and monitoring cars in the car park is a Sisyphean task – and there are no words enough to thank Rachel Jacques for her huge contribution to this.

Health and Safety

When our building is used by so many people it is incumbent on us to ensure it is a safe place to come. 2022 was thankfully marked by more or less an end to the COVID measures we had been obliged to introduce in 2020; the COVID Health and Safety Group has stood down (but is on standby!).

We are aiming to produce a more general risk assessment for church activity, but overall we are in good shape: our fire safety equipment is maintained by A&E and tested by Peter Harrison and we had a visit from the local fire service; the First Aid equipment (including the defibrillator) is kept up to date by Rachel Jacques; kitchen hygiene and cleaning is overseen by Jean Gregory and team, including our excellent cleaner Helen Roberts.

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Treasurer’s Report

Accounts to Year ended 31[st] December 2022

Background

This is seen to be the first “normal” year after the lifting of COVID restrictions, although things will never be the same again.

We are currently suffering high inflation and widespread industrial unrest from pressures to maintain living standards.

However, we can report a slow return of congregation to pre-COVID levels, a full diary for room hirers and a full complement at the Thursday café.

We are delighted to report that we have a fully “manned” secretarial and office function and good support for room bookings.

The church has responded well to the pressures of inflationary prices, and it helps that we secured fixed rate prices for 3 years from December 2021 for our gas and electricity supply.

A lot of work continues to be done by all those connected with streaming and recording services, and those keeping us safe in the church. Thank you for all your dedication.

Review of the accounts - Income & Expenditure, All Funds

Below is a summary of overall financial performance:

Below is a summary of overall financial performance:
Year 2022 Year 2021
£ £
Incoming Resources:
Offerings
60,993		 58,868
Legacies
0		 1,000
Gifts Fabric/General Fund 1,250 3,638
Gifts Flat Roof Fund 0 34,300
Grants Flat Roof Fund 0 47,600
Room letting
16,254		 4,967
Investments and other income
6,232		 2,821
Furlough income 0 2,168
Total Income
84,729		 155,362
Resources used:
Charitable objectives -46,851 -43,979
Support costs:
Maintenance -9,609 -938
Project costs–Flat Roof -6,697 -87,710
Other support costs -21,589 -21,963
Total Expenditure -84,746 -154,590
Excess of Incoming Resources
over Resources used
Net movement		 £-17 £772

Total net movements in the year of-£17 deficiency include;

General Fund £15,040 surplus

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Fabric Fund £8,359 deficiency

and Flat Roof Fund £6,698 deficiency

Early in the year we produced a budget for the General Fund , day to day income and expenses excluding maintenance and gifts; to reflect our best estimates of how the “normal” year may turn out.

There were many swings and roundabouts, but I am able to report a better than budget surplus to fund our requirements under the 5-year plan for maintenance. Thank you for your support in making this possible.

Movements in funds;

A) General Fund

Total year produced a surplus of £15,040 which was £5,250 better than budget.

Variances from budget include:

Income - £4,413 better includes

Expenditure - £836 less includes;

B) Fabric Fund Expenditure of £9,609 included;

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We received a gift of £1,250 to help towards the cost of lighting – thank you!

It is recommended that we transfer in £10,644 from the General Fund surplus to meet the 5 year maintenance plan requirements for 2022 – thank you for making this possible!

Future work could include making the church more environmentally friendly by extensive insulation – in an old building like ours this would be very expensive

C) Flat Roof Fund

Expenditure of £6,698 included;

There is a residual balance on the Fund of £2,170 and it is recommended to transfer this to the Fabric Fund

D) Organ and Visuals Fund new?

Giving to Others

Giving to others in the year amounted to £5,030 which included;

This giving is 6% of our income

Unrestricted Funds

All the church funds are unrestricted.

The trustee policy is to retain at least 3 months expenditure as “free” reserves within the General Fund to meet future shortfalls in income, or unexpected expenditure for 2023. The balance, after recommended year end transfers at 31[st] December, represents 6 month’s current day to day General Fund expenditure.

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Highbury Church Income & Expenditure Account - all Funds 12 months to 31st December 2022

12 months to 31st December 2022
INCOME TOTAL TOTAL
Header A/C THIS LAST
code YEAR YEAR
£ £
Offerings, Legacies and similar incoming resources
Envelopes & loose change 1101 376 271
STO & single cash/cheque 1102 46,058 46,828
Tax refund 1103 10,736 10,415
Gifts - Flat Roof 1121 0 34,300
Gifts - Other " 1,250 3,638
Legacies 1122 0 1,000
Gift Day 1123 3,233
Harvest 1124 590 1,352
Grants received - Flat Roof 1200 0 48,675
Grants received - Other " 2,436
Furlough income 1201 0 2,169
Miscellaneous income 6110 358 38
Total - Incoming resources 65,037 148,686

Activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives

Other room hire 1141 15,154 4,967
Church users room hire 1143 1,100
Weddings & Funerals 2801 485 485
Highbury News income 3402 25 85
Highbury News advertisers 3403 240 240
Congregationalist income 3514 0
Scouts insurance 6105 172 163
Photocopier income 6613 0
Outreach income 6700 2,235 726
Total - Incoming activities 19,411 6,666
enerating Funds
Fund raising 1131 0

Activities for generating Funds

Investment Income
Dividends & Interest		 1151 281 10
Total Income 84,729 155,362
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EXPENDITURE
Header		 A/C
code		 TOTAL
THIS
YEAR		 TOTAL
LAST
YEAR
£
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives
Ministry salary etc:
Minister's gross salary
5101
27,887
Minister's employers NI
5102
0
Minister's pension EE and ER
5103
3,079
Car mileage allowance
5401
384
Children's Worker gross salary
5801
9,768
Children's Worker employers NI
5802
0
Other expenses:
0
Preaching
2101
267
Junior Church/Sunday Special
2302
514
Video licence
2304
530
Organist
2501
527
Music
2502
0
Piano/Organ Maintenance
2503
252
Pastoral
3201
0
Pastoral gifts
3202
198
Ministry Leaders exps Worship
3210
0
Ministry Leaders exps Children
3211
0
Ministry Leaders exps Youth
3212
0
Ministry Leaders exps Discipleship
3213
0
Ministry Leaders exps Pastoral Care
3214
0
Ministry Leaders exps Mission & Outreach
3215
0
Ministry Leaders exps Joint
3216
122
Highbury News expenses
3401
0
Publicity/advertising
3404
0
Neighbourhood cards
3405
0
CF affiliations/SW Midlands area
3501
1,650
Other affiliations
3502
170
CF Ministry and Mission
3504
656		 £
26,812
3,066
88
9,424
175
165
496
408
70
29
58
1,789
210
824
Congregationalist expenditure
Worship resources
Church equipment/furnishings
Miscellaneous expenditure
Outreach expenditure
Total - Outgoing activities		 3513
5115
6109
6801
6800		 0
233
0
35
579		 129
57
179
46,851 43,979
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EXPENDITURE
Header		 A/C
code		 TOTAL
THIS
YEAR		 TOTAL
LAST
YEAR
Support costs
Ministry expenses:
Stationery
Telephone
Postage
Travel, excluding Car
In -service training/retreat
Subsistence
Manse expenses:
Manse insurance
Manse - water
Manse - community charge
Manse - maintenance
Other expenses:
Project
Church - Maintenance
Gas
Electricity
Insurance
Trade disposal
Housekeeping
Cleaning materials
Adminstrator salary
Caretakers gross pay
Stationery/directory
Postage
Telephone
Office equipment
Payroll costs
Photocopy hire/copy charge
Photocopy paper
Bank charges		 5112
5113
5114
5116
5117
5118
5301
5304
5305
5307
6100
6101
6102
6103
6104
6106
6301
6302
6401
6501
6601
6602
6603
6604
6606
6611
6612
6701		 £
0
0
0
0
612
126
247
701
2,817
4,002
6,697
5,607
3,561
2,378
2,536
410
183
837
0
3,950
12
52
623
788
288
1,208
48
212		 £
45
241
713
2,730
220
66,293
22,135
4,139
1,504
2,399
361
108
506
2,401
2,820
46
16
867
885
288
1,234
28
182
Legal costs
Recruitment costs
Professional fund raising
Total - Support costs		 6702
6703
6705		 0
0
0		 450
37,895 110,611
Total Expenditure 84,746 154,590

Income & Expenditure Account - all Funds

Income/Expenditure
Header		 TOTAL
THIS
YEAR		 TOTAL
LAST
YEAR
Income
Incoming resources
Incoming activities
Fund raising
Dividends & interest
Total Income
Expenditure
Outgoing activities
Support costs
Total Expenditure
All Funds surplus/(deficiency)
Less transfers to other funds:
Fabric
Flat Roof - gifts and Legacy
Legacy
Training
Mission projects
Refurbishment
Year end transfer
Revaluation
Gen. Funds surplus/(deficiency)		 £
65,037
19,411
0
281		 £
148,686
6,666
0
10
84,729 155,362
46,851
37,895		 43,979
110,611
84,746 154,590
-17 772
-2,091
17,148
0
0
0
0
-14,644
0		 -5,062
4,810
396 520