_Zion Bap)st Church Melbourn CIO – reg. charity 1164945_ ## **2024 Annual Report for the Charities Commission** ## **Introduction** The past year has been exciting for Melbourn Baptist Church (MBC) as we were once again involved in a variety of di=erent activities both in the church and the wider community. At Easter we held a community event which the whole community was welcome to, we took part in the Village Fete in June, we held our annual Light Party in October and hosted a Craft Fair in November and again hosted the school for their Carol Service in December. We continue to regularly serve our community weekly through our Toddlers Plus, Co=ee Break and Craft groups. The past year was also one of a new era as we welcomed our new ministers to Melbourn Baptist Church in May. We acknowledge our thanks to our moderator for all of his work until Rob and Jenny’s arrival as our new ministers. ## **Worship & Prayer** worked our way through themes relating to the book ‘Surprised By Hope’, whilst in the second half our services were themed around the book of Nehemiah, Ephesians and at Christmas ‘God With Us’, which included for the first time a ‘Blue Christmas’ service especially for those struggling in our communities. We have begun holding all-age services on a more regular basis and all our services over the summer were Café Style services. vocalists, together with cover for keyboard, drums, bass & guitar, a total of eleven members, plus two for A/V. In addition to our regular services, the Group have served within Cluster Groups, Churches Together & other special occasions. We continue to meet online weekly, and once a month together at the church, for the purpose of prayer, both local and international. ## **Sunday School** During 2024, Sunday School continued to meet most Sunday mornings, with the children and young people joining the first part of the service, before moving into their groups. There were two age groups covering roughly ages 3-9 and ages 10-14. Our older young people are welcome to remain part of the main service, and are also invited to our Grid group on a Sunday evening for those in Year 7 upwards. Some weeks we have an all-age service where the children stay for the whole service; since September 2024 this has taken place regularly on the first Sunday of each month. Our children and young people also prepared a Nativity service, which took place in December. During the year, the Sunday School groups started to use material from the online resource "Energize", covering various themes including aspects of the life of Jesus, Paul's letters, and key features of Christian life. The sessions include games, videos clips and crafts to support Bible teaching. At the end of 2024, there were 20 children regularly attending Sunday School across the two groups. We have a team of volunteers from within the church who lead these sessions. The Grid is our youth group, formed of young people aged between 11 and 18. We meet on Sunday evenings at the church and attendance ranges from between 8 and 12 youth each meeting. The evenings involve a mixture of relaxing and connecting with friends and playing games, moving on to a more structured time of learning and reflection based around a theme. We cover topics based around Christian values and lifestyle, unpacking life’s big issues such as wellbeing, contentment, money and making good decisions. We source most content from the online platform Energize and we have been very grateful to receive a new smart screen that enables us to share slides, films and facilitate brainstorming more easily. We will often share refreshments which are always received well. The evenings will regularly involve looking up bible passages and use of worship videos for a time of prayer and reflection. Most of the youth attend church, some at Melbourn and others elsewhere, and for some of our young people this is their main connection with church. We are connected with the local charity WCCYM (West Cambridge Christian Youth Ministries), o=ering a range of activities including youth services, discipleship groups, social events and trips away. We encourage the young people to attend these well organised events, to widen their social and spiritual network. A number of the youth have become quite involved in these. A highlight being the summer camp, Satellites, held at Shepton Mallett, where they spend quality time with their friends to explore faith issues, enjoy large scale worship and have a lot of freedom in a safe space away from home. There is an option to volunteer at this for the over 16s, serving in a wide variety of locations. One of our youth worked on the milkshake bar completing 4-hour shifts each day, and spending the remainder of their time with their friends. ## **Pastoral Team** Our ‘new’ Pastoral team has been available for around 18 months, now. There are 5 people on the team, with additional input from our two Ministers. Pastoral support is encouraged, wherever possible, through our House Group system. However, it was recognised that not everybody belongs to one of those, or for various reasons, cannot choose to make a regular commitment of that sort. times. We largely provide support through prayer, either in person if required/preferred, but we do operate through a confidential group via which we can share prayer concerns as people wish, and with the consent of those in need. Where possible, we have been involved in practical support such as extra help around meal rotas following hospital stays, for example, or home visits, in line with Safeguarding guidelines. We do occasionally meet as a group ‘in person’ to encourage and pray for each other as well as for our Church family and for specific needs brought to our attention, again, confidentially. Although most of the team is involved in specific ways within our Sunday services, we do try to be available and identifiable, not least for any ‘new’ folk joining us for Worship, who may not have - yet- ‘put down roots’ etc. or formed any friendships. As a fellowship, we would hope to provide prayer or other help or advice to anyone who may require it. ## **Home Groups** Home groups continue to be an important part of the life of Melbourn Baptist Church. Their purpose is to provide an opportunity to link with others in friendship and fellowship more closely than in the main Sunday meeting. Typically, a group would have a social time, a time to study the bible and a time to pray for one another. We have groups meeting in di=erent locations across the area and most meet in the evening, with one meeting during the day; most meet each week. A majority of those who come to the church are linked to a home group, but we also have some coming along who are not otherwise linked to the church. People who are part of the church are encouraged to be part of a home group. ## **Toddlers** Our toddler group meets on Tuesday mornings between 10.00 and 12.00 and is open to any accompanied 0-4 year olds. In addition to o=ering a wide variety of toys and larger plan equipment for free play, we all join together half way through the morning for the children to have a snack and drink, and listen to a Bible story and join in the with action songs. Tea and co=ee is available throughout the morning for adults. Since September we have been in contact with over 50 children with an average of 20 children plus their carers attending each week. ## **Co;ee Break** Here at MBC, we have been opening our doors on Wednesday mornings, mainly in Term times, for some years now, to anyone wishing to drop by for Co=ee-or tea!- biscuits and of course, a chat. People are welcomed from 10.30 am, until around Noon. It is very relaxed - most come along for the whole time, but ‘popping by’ for shorter visits is allowed! We do ask for a minimum donation of £1, all of which goes to support the Ministry of ‘Christ’s Hope’, a Children’s charity known and supported by our church. Our visitors are mostly from the community along with a small number from within the church here; our ministers frequently come along too, which is much appreciated by all. Numbers vary, but around a dozen faces are usually present most weeks. When opportunity arises, the Lord is brought into the conversation as appropriate. ## **Craft Group** The craft group meets in the church hall each Wednesday morning during term time from 9:30 – 12 noon. We share skills and learn new ones which have included silk painting, iris folding, die cutting, clay work, mosaic, needle felting, card making and much more. Our primary focus continues to be friendship and mutual support. We have a mix of church and non-church people who join us with about 12 people attending most weeks. We are a sociable and supportive group. The materials are funded through a £1 a week donation. Whenever possible we supply cards to the charity card stand in the co=ee lounge with the funds going to Christ’s Hope International. ## **‘External’ Mission** Our support for mission beyond our church continues with prayer and giving for our BMS partners and Baptist Home Mission. In August we were visited by one of our missionary families, who we have been linked with for many years. We once again sent a large number of ‘shoe boxes’ as part of operation Christmas Child and in March 2025 were visited by a representative from Christ’s Hope International who shared of their work with some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We also have links with an organisation supporting work in Turkey. ## **Fabric** The church has been working hard on the maintenance of the building throughout the year. This has included work on the main church building, and preparing the manse for the arrival of our new ministers. ## **Statistics – Membership, Fellowship and Trustees** At the end of 2024, there were 53 church members. We had an average Sunday service attendance of 76 people. Across the week we were in regular contact with 97 adults (through Sunday services, House Groups, Co=ee Break, Craft Group, and Toddler group), 15 young people aged 11-17 (through Sunday School and Grid) and 41 children aged 0-11 (through Sunday School and Toddler group). At the end of 2024, there were 10 charity trustees (including our ministers). ## **Closing Comments** We would like to pass on a big thank you to everyone who contributes to our church in anyway, whether listed here or not, whether the work obviously visible or not. Our church is a body which can only function when we all play are part. We thank you all. 2kn C￿rEh ¥•tsourn Receipts and payments accounts CC16a 011)Ir2wd4 31I12r2024 Section A Receipts and payments Vnr•strfct•d nd R•strfct4d Endowm• furbds Totsl fund• A1 R•tslpts Gor￿11 tuThY Fa￿￿ fv 011 51140 17.5 19> 15.132 HMRCfyftAwJ 957 Sub lolallGross irKomg f AR) IM• tabl• Sub to M475 126,S6fy I1￿5VY 24.M7 74JJl 70.3 61670 202 30.218 223.039 30U24 350.625 271.2 312N24 CCXX Rl AwwrOISS} 1810312Q25 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period R•striGt•d fvnds Endowmont lurlds c1t•g￿•4 D•t¥l8 Bl Cash funds IMJ nd• fvnd• D¢t•lls B2 IXh•r monotary aM•ls Deialls B3 Inbwtm•nt as••ts Delails B4 Ass•ts ratalned for tr* eharitys own u$• Details BS Llabllw CRSIMS L KJRDEN CCXXR2KtsMkn ISS) 1810312025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees ZION BAPTIST.CHURCH MELBOURN On accounts for the year ended 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Charity no Ilf any 1164945 Set out on pages 1AND2 I report to the tNstees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {'Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111212024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 l.the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sedion 145(51{b) of the Act. Independent ￿he charity's gross income excReded £250,000 and l am qualified to oxamlnerfs statsment underlake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed bodyll. Delete l ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihat no material matt&rs have corne to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me ¢ause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were nol kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord wilh Ihe accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounls set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conne￿10n with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in Order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pleas8 delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Xo> Name: C TAYLOR TA LOR & CO. Relevant PTofesslonal qualification(sl or body ASSOCIATION OF CHARTERED CERTIFED ACCOUNTANTS IER Oct 2018 (If any).. Address: THE SYCAMORES, 43 KNEESWORTH STREET ROYSTON HERTS SG8 SAB Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem {see CC32, Independent examination of charity a¢¢ounts- directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef details of any items that the examinerwlshes to disclose. IER Oct 2018