2021-12-31-accounts

Wheatley Community Church

Registered Charity 1163593

Trustees’ Annual Report for period 1/1/21 to 31/12/21.

Charity’s principal address: 128 Church Road Wheatley Oxford OX33 1LU

Governance:

The Charity is governed by a Constitution and founded as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). New trustees are appointed by the existing board of trustees.

At the moment we are an independent church with a leadership group drawn from people who have been active in the village and involved in ministry in other churches. This position is subject to annual review by the church membership.

Questions of affiliation will be taken by Church members in due course, informed by God. We are members of Wheatley Area Churches and the Evangelical Alliance.

Charitable Objective:

To advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statement of faith found in the schedule to our constitution.

Vision Statement:

We believe we are being called by God to be an inclusive, accessible, welcoming and nurturing church. Shaped by His word, we respond to His lordship, His love and to this call by seeking to be –

• A community that is journeying, evolving and learning together with the Bible central to our teaching and our values. (Romans 12v16)

• A praying church, a place of significant fellowship and trust where individuals are encouraged and supported to grow and develop spiritually in their walk with God. (Acts 2v42)

• An all age church, welcoming and catering for children, young people and adults alike, sharing our lives informally through the week as well as through our organised meetings. (Romans 12vv9-13)

• A contemporary, lively and enthusiastic church, guided and equipped by the Holy Spirit and passionate about our faith and God’s love for all people. (John 3v16)

• A church given to loving service, seeking to bring hope and practical support to those around us. (Galatians 6v10)

• A church committed to sharing our faith and inspiring others to discover the transforming love of Jesus. (Matthew 28vv18-20)

• A church concerned for the world we live in, seeking to bring God’s justice, mercy and compassion. (Isaiah 1v17)

Church leadership:

Wheatley Community Church is led by a Core Leadership Group, each of whom is initially elected by the membership, whose responsibilities include –

• Spiritual and pastoral oversight of the church as a whole

• Teaching programme coordination

• Oversight of corporate worship

• Pastoral care & Small group coordination

• WCC support of Mission work beyond Wheatley, in all its forms

• Strategic and visionary planning

Members of the Core Leadership Group must agree to the Church’s statement of faith (What We Believe) and exhibit the characteristics of leaders outlined in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They will have relevant experience in church life and organisation and a heart for service to the Wheatley Community, for pastoral care, seeing people compassionately as individuals, and for mission and outreach.

The Core Leadership Group is led by the WCC Pastor, who will initiate and lead annual reviews with each of the leadership team. The WCC Pastor is accountable in turn to the charity Trustees (see below).

WCC Charity Trustees:

Wheatley Community Church is a registered Charity. As such, matters of legal and financial compliance are managed by a board of Trustees. WCC Trustees must agree to the Church’s statement of faith (What We Believe). They should also have skills and experience relevant to the oversight of church, organisation and/or charity governance. This board is made up as follows –

• Up to two representatives of the WCC core leadership team (CLT).

• The Church Treasurer.

• Other church members with relevant experience or expertise, through nomination by members and after subsequent election by the membership (voting procedures are the same as for the leadership team – see below).

• The Chair of trustees will not be a member of the core leadership team and is proposed and elected by the other trustees from within their number.

Trustees serving during all or part of period:

• Gordon Ewbank (Chair)

• Brian Wickens (Treasurer)

• Jill Ewbank

• Jemima Spare (until 23/6/21)

• Stephen Spare (until 15/2/21)

• Angela Smith (from 23/6/21)

• Jane Showell-Rogers (from 23/6/21)

Activities:

• Holding services of worship, prayer and teaching

• Celebration of religious festivals

• Pastoral support through one to one and small group meetings

• Producing materials to enlighten others about the basis of the Christian faith

• Children & Youth Work/Education

• Training programmes – young people & adults

• Community projects/development

Achievements & performance:

For information on the Charity’s achievements and performance please visit the following site: https://www.wheatleycommunitychurch.org

Summary of Achievements and Performance:

• Weekly services

• Weekly small Bible study group meetings

• Monthly prayer meetings

• Quarterly discussion forums

• Quarterly members’ meetings

• Community meals and social events

• Youth Groups (weekly)

• Women’s events

Some of these activities are run in partnership with others of like mind in our community. From March 2020 onwards these activities were severely curtailed by the COVID-19 restrictions. Most continued on-line whilst lockdown persisted.

Morning Services:

There is some variety in our Sunday meetings, but most of them include the following key elements:

• Singing - normally 4 or 5 songs over the course of the service. Words are put up on a screen, and you are welcome to join in, or not to sing if you prefer.

• Prayer - for all kinds of local, national and international needs, as well as time to bring our own prayers to God. Most people will sit or stand, but you are welcome to kneel if you like.

• A talk - someone will give an engaging talk for 20-30 minutes on a passage or topic from the Bible.

• Catching up - after the service, there's a chance to chat with other members of the community.

Our style of meeting is quite informal, and kids are encouraged to join in with the worship as much as they feel comfortable. About 30 minutes into the service, our young people head out to separate groups around the school building, where they have a mix of ageappropriate activities and discussions.

Public benefit:

All Wheatley Community Church activities are designed to be inclusive to all those who take part. All children and youth activities adhere to Wheatley Community Church's safeguarding policy, are supervised by experienced adults and are aimed at helping young people to better reach their God given potential, so contributing significantly to their spiritual and moral education.

All community events have at their core the aim of building social capital, to the benefit of all. Our activities are designed to reinforce the meaning that the Christian faith gives to our members’ lives and the way in which it contributes to their spiritual well-being. It helps to develop their spirituality (including strengthening their relationship with God) as well as providing a moral or ethical framework to live by. This moral or ethical framework offers benefits to wider society, as well as individual comfort, solace and a sense of purpose.

Financial review:

Accounts summary submitted under separate cover. Our reserves policy is to target holding 6 months cover for regular ongoing expenses, with an acceptable range of between 3 and 9 months’ cover. There is no material deficit at this time.

Financial Report/Independent Examination:

See following pages.

Declaration:

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees

Gordon Andrew Ewbank, Chair of Trustees

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