Trustees, Annual Report for the period From Period start date To Period end date January 2021 31 December 2021 ction A Reference and administration detai15 Charity name Francis Road Evangelical Church Other narnes charity is knowrd by ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH Registered charity number lif any) 1165151 Charity's principal address Francis Road ASHFQRD Kent Postcode TN23 7UR Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Name of person lor body) entitled to appoint trustee Ifan Trustee name Office lif anvl Dates atted rf not for whole year Gill Adsett Ernest Bate Owen Darling Geoff Gould Chair Alasdair Hope I"January 2021 to 15 March 2021 th Maureen Hulbert Treasurér Names of the trustees for the tharity, ff any. (for example, any Custodian trustees) Dates acted rf not for whole year Name TAR Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Accountant Name Address Roger Hughes Wayside, Forge Hill, ALDINGTON, KentTN25 7DT Solicitor Hallett & Co, 11 Bank Street, ASHFORD, Kent TN23 IDA Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members {Optional information) Section B Strutture, governance and management Description of the charl￿3 trusts Type of governing document Constitution. How the charity is eonstituted trilst, Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Trustee selection methods Appointed by existing Trustees. Addittonal governance issues (Optional information) You may ch005e to include dd iticnal inforrnation, where relevant, about.. We are.. members of the Evangelical Alliance registered with the Information Commissionerfs Office Ireg. no. ZA4002211 htt ico.oy policies and procedures adopted for the induction and trdining of tru5tees- members of Partnership UK h artnershi the chariws organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity subscribers to Stewardship Consultsncy Helpline https:Ilwww.stewardship.org.L+klabout-us/about-us-I Our Pastor 15 a member of the A5hford Pastors, Fellowship which forms the leadership core of Churche5 Together in A5hford. relationship with any related parties; trustees, consideration of Major risks and the system and procedures to manage thern. TAR 5ertion C Objectives and activities Summary of the objects of the charity set out inits governing docurnent Our object is to advance the Christian Faith for the public beneflt in accordance with our statement of beliefs Isee section F of this report). The TrustÈes havè bÈÈn conscious o* tho need to carry out our purposÈs for the public benefit. We believe that the Christian Faith provides guidelines for Iwing that are good far the individual a nd for society in 8eneral. A Iiviig Faith in Jesus Christ provide5 the strength and peace of mind to follow these guidelines nd to livÈ a useful life. I'HIS divinÉ powor has given us evÈrything we need for life and godliness... 2 Peter ch I v 3a), So, although the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly limited our activitles within the church buildings. we have been able to use technolo8y t broadtast via YouTube the Good NÈWS of Jesus Christ's love - this we believe to be 50 essential for people in thi5 life and a150 for eternity. These broadcasts a re easily accessible to all, and, on several occasions. over the year, we have delivered cards to houses in the neighbouring streets advertising our services. Our Leadership Group has ensured that government guidelines hève been publicised and adhered to throughout the year. As guidelines have relaxed we have grad ua Ily begun to return to meeting in the church build ing5 and people's home5 while Still ma intaining the online rninistry. In September we were able to hold a Saturday afternoon of celebration in the church for people from the loca lty, and on the Sunday a service of remembrance for those who had suffered in the pandemic, and thanks for those who had cared for them. We have made our buildings safè for community groups from the locality, and they are beginning to Usé our premises once again. Summary of the main actlvltles undertaken for the publlc benefit in relation to these objects (include within this sertion the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commlsslon on public benefit) We support Missionary and Relief Organisations financially and grve one- off gifts to individua15 in need. Details of the yearfs acttvities are recorded in Section D. TAR Addltional details of objectives and artlvbties (Opttonal information) Most of the activities held in our church use volunteers. The exceptions are the lÈader of the WW group. and the Ashford Borcugh Council employees who run national and local Élections. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant. about: policy on grant-making; policy programme related investment. contribution made by olunteers. Section D Achievement5 and perform¥nce Sumrnary of the main achievements of the charity during the year The main achièvement of our charity in 2021 15, Wlth God's help, to have survived another vear dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The church family h35 been kept together. encour38ed, and 'fed' spiritually with the use of online technologv. We have also used thi5 technology to reach out into the community. Here are extracts from a review of the year given by Peter Hobb5. our Pastor, on Sunday 2 January 2022. REVIEW OF THE YÉAR 2021 A TIME FOR EVERYfHING (ECCLESIASTES 3.1) Who could have foreseen that, after nearly years. our lives, our society. and our church would slill be so dominated by the spectre of CoTonavirus? It has therefore been a tough lime for our church (and all churches), yet It has also been a time of Pfeparation tor rebuilding. This was seen trom the very start of the year in our continuing vision which was that of a "New Beginning" for our church and for our whole society and for our individual INes. Like last year.. "Dve to this pand8mic. w8 have ￿tered an Unpre￿dented time where we: Have had periods when we have not been able to meet together in our church building Have not been allowed to sin8 together Have not been allowed to hug each other Have not been allowed to eat together or even to talk togetherf, Yet we have seen, again like last ye41r= "This has been a year where we have.. seen more clcarly than eve.r that we, and nirt the building, are the church Set up TEAMS so that we can continue to mcet together and Wofship tO6ether Established bvestream that has rcached out way-beyond our local community Been remlnded that we all have testimonles and answers to prayer that we c2n share E5labllshed structures within the church that will stand us in good stead fur the future" Unlike last year we have been able ￿ celebrate Easter and Christmas together in our church bLJilding. Ycs, there have been restrictions, but most of us have been ab18 to enjoy fac@vtO- face Gontact with one another a ain. TAR I believe that our ¢hurch tsmily is now in a good wsition lo gu forward and grow numerically and syritLJally as we go together into the New Year of 2022. THE CHURCH FAMILY- MEETING AND CARING We begin by thanking God that we have a church building- that we wanl to be used more and MO￿ and more for HIS Glory. Yet, thls year has shown us, as never before, that WE are the church and we have continued to be together as church whether in the building or online. And we thank God that we are a church family who care for each other and tor those around us in the community- Oh. we are not perfeot, and we regret wilh great sorrow that there are some who have lacked care during the year. However, through our Housegroups, through hospitality that so many of you have shown. through a structure that has continued to make Sure that the most vulnerable are contacted and looked after, we have ensured that our church really is part of the family of God - that we love one another as He has loved us. This h8s been a year gf change in th8 Eldership and management of Ihe church. After a lot of heart-searching and internal struggles Alasdair and Steve both stepped down from Eldership after many years of faithful and hard-working service. At the start of December Jim began a 4 month rest from his Eldership duties. In the meantime, Trustees. Elders and Ajistdir Hvmal worked on a strategy for a new Leadership Team made up of Elders and Deacons who can ensure the day-tO-d8y management of the church. New Eldership recognition and Deacon elections are planned tor the New Year. We thank God for the regular meetings thal are held amongst us and remember them now: NDAY., I have been part of this church fan)ily for 4 IA y*ars nrjw. We thank GDd for oijr Sunday serV￿Ces- our "showcase" of God's love and presence within the cummunity. Numbers of attendees have been affected by Corvnavirus and Since retLJrninB to services in the church building we have sef n between 40 and 50 people eath week meeting in the Main Hall, watchin8 Sri the Rear Hall (for those who wish or need to re.main 50r.ially distancf d and "ma5ked"I, or joining us on Youl ube and TEAM5. This redijrtion in nurnber5 frorN pre-pandemic leve15 is reflected in rn05t, if not all, of the A5hford churches, We thank God for the technology that has allowed us to maintain our worship so effectively on a Sundav. WORSHIP- For the first three months of the year we were unable to meet Én our church building- but Chris and Peter broadcast via TEAMS from an often very cold church building to the congregation. Thanks go to STAG church and Ellzabeth ènd Matt for enabling us to rccord video songs that allowed us to use musTrc that was not limited by copyright. Once back in the church building from April we had to wear masks and sit soaally distaiiced with doors and winduws open For much of ihe year- with only the Worship Team allowed to sin8 Out loud. Thank God we have been able to move on from this since Septemberl And thank God that our worship has been able to continue throughoutl TEACHING SERIES- January focused on "New Beginnings" as we looked forvlard to life after Lockdolvn. In February we studied the power and mercy of "God the Good Judge" In March we were challenged to be ready for service with "Here am I, send me" In April we learnt many lessons of God's unlimitÈd love for us in our Study of "Ruth". June saw us focusing on the call to "Worship" whatever the situation in our lives. In August we began a major new series looking at "Daughters of Eve. and the lessons to be learnt froin won)en irl the Bible. Our Advent sei'ies called us to be the new "Star of Bethlehem" to the world. Although Peter led most of this teaching, we have been blessed by many internal and outside guest speakers this year as well. Brian C has twice enc¢uraged us to remember the "Persecuted Church" Ernest challenAed our beliets wlth his look at the"Exodus"; Jim spoke to us powerfully on occasions on his life story and the TAR question of "What gets you throuEhY'; Street Pastors so muved us rn May that 3 of our number- Zandra, Brian C and Peter- have joined up, been trained, and now serve on patrol wfih this wonderful group,. Oudley inspired us on two occasions in June and Ortober: Alistair Hornal, so helpful to our church during difficult times. spoke to us in 3Lsne,' Chris spoke to U5 three time5 on the Subject of the "Kingdom of God": Tim Dieppe mcved us with stories from 'Christian Concern. in July,. Dave W spoke passionately about his work in home mission in August,. Brian R rnade his speaking debut in September.. Paul Dunning enlightened us on the work of MAF in November.. and Geoff Gould spoke to us twice in that month as well. We thank God for the central place that teachlng plays in the life of the church. SUNDAY CLUB AND CHILDREN'S WORK- In line with most rhur¢hes in Ashford, the paTrdemic has been a time of collapse in children's work. Sunday aub ha5 been in abeyance, Friday Youth Night" has not rtropened. Flowever. there are some hopeful signs. thildren are being bDrn into our fellowship. Young5ter5 are becinnin8 to appear. Tho Middle Hall has been set up as a creche with loudspeakers allowing the service to bc heard. 5inglng and storyiellin£ has been takn-ng place here too. Resources are bein8 given oul lo the chrldren in the thurch to vdark on durin8 the services. MONDAY.. U3A- have been using the church for play readin8 in October and November. TUESDAY: OPEN ARMS- we have been really blessed to have this organisatlon return to us this year. Rath?r than a full-blown me31, their new vision ha$ beeft for a Inore relaxed social tSme for those who are homeless or vulner3ble. WEDNESDAY., WEIGHT-WATCHERS- have used our buildinE whenever lrfting of re5trirtions ha5 Ilowed. HOUSEGROUPS AND MONTHLY SUPERGROUP-for much ofthe first halfol the year these were solely onlSne. But we have been ble$5ed In the se¢ond half of the year in beanE able to hold these both on TEAMS and face-to-face in homes or in the church building. THURSDAY.. BIBLE STUDY- A comniÈtted 8roup meet fortnightly Iweekly in Deccmb¢rl- initialSv online, it was a joy to get b3ck into f3ce-to-face discussion in peE)ple'5 houses. EKC- What a blessing tt is to continue having this wonderful choir prartisiug in our building on a Thursdayl It has been toush for them since the Lockdown but they have remained committed to Using our church buildin8- returnin8 to us in September. WORSHIP PRACTICE- now on a new night-this remalns open to not onlythe Worship Team but 311 who would like to come alon8 and srng. FRIDAY: REVIVAL PRAYER . I rernain in awe ol the trernendoiis turnout week-after-week to this prayer meeting- proof of our belief in the power of prayer to bring revival to Ihis area. Now driven by 'Prayer Points. we meet both in person lin the church or in Chijrch Hov5el and on TFAMS. U3A- have returned to our church building for singing from September LADIES. FEILOWSHIP- well...I can't say too much about this...as l am not allowed to attendl But l understand that rt continue5 to be a time of great joy and challenge for our ladles- and has also seamlessly moved to an online plarform. PIZZA AND HOTTOPICS- It was good from the summertime Iwith BBQsll to move b3ck to face-to-f3ce meetings. From September we have been joined by new people and are currently following the "Freedom in Christ" course called "Disci TAR altcrnate Fridays we have been joining with young adults from Vineyard Churth for Social gatherin85 SATURDAY.. It would be good here to Mention that our Street Pastors have been followSng an Intensive online and in-person traSning course on Saturday momings for most of the sÈcond half of th&s yeai. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 BIRTHS AND DEDICATIONS.. Peter became a granddad 383in at the end of February while Poppy was born Iv Fiona and Ritky in e3rly April. Back in the church building we were able to dedicatejoshua on the 30 May andthen Poppyon the 3." Ortober. EAS[￿r car.ds and ChT15tmAs cards were deliver¥d to 1500 houses around our church- a witness in themselves. Zandra, arian C and Petei signed up to become Street Pa5tor5- beginning their training in lune and going on their first patrols in the latter part of the yeai. They were formally commissionéd on thé 19 NovÈmbÈr. We were delighted by the weddinE of Sarah and Matthew on the 31 July in CambrldKe- Linda and Ernest could be justly proud. On the 4, September. after much work and preparation and delivery of 1500 invitations, the church hosted 8 Celebration And RenTrembrance dftErnaon to Bive thank5 lor ihe lifting tjf Lockdown restrirtions 3nd to remember those who had died and to honour those who were grieving. Boun￿ castle, cream teas, many games and crafts with writing messages of remembr8n¢e and thanks on hearts filled the afternoon which was well attended. Once again Linda led us in our annual Macmillan Cancer Care coffee afternoon- held In the church after the murning servTrcE on the 26, September- and then the "Shoebox Appeal" in Ortober and Novernber. On the IS December- at è time when "Plan B" restrirtiDn5 had come into forre, we were able to take carol singing around Virtoria Quarter- an outreach that we know touched the hearts of manv. 2021- A TIME OF MANY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Now let us go through the year chronologically to remember all th8 tr8m@ndous things th8t have taken Place 01101121= ONLINE'HAPPY NEW YEAR. PRAYER AND GAMES (LED ABLY BY ELIZABETH AND SARAH) "NEW BEGINNINGS" TEACHING SERIES BEGINS NATIONAL LOCKDOWN LEADS TO OUR CLOSING THE CHURCH BUILDING- BUT WORSHIP CONTINUES TklROUGkl Tl IE USE OF TEAMS AND THEN YOUTU8E 02102121.. ELDERS, ONLINE AWAYDAY 19,21102121.. ALASDAIR AND STEVE STEP DOWN FRONI ELDERSHIP_ AFTER SO MANY YURS OF FAITHFUL AND HARD-WORKING SERVICE WE THANK THEM BIRTH OF ELOISE- PETER IS A GRANDDAD AGAIN! RESUMPTION OF LIVESTREAM SERVICES ON A SUNDAY START OF "COFFEE AND CHAT" ONLINE SOCIAL MEETINGS EASTER CARDS AND INVITATIONS BEGIN TO GO OUT CHURCH BUILDING REOPENS FOR SUNDAY SERVICES ALLOWING US TO HOLD GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES IN THE BUILDING AS WELL AS ONLINE WITH LIVESTREAM AND TEAMS ONLINE SPRING HARVEST ATTENDED BY A FEW FROM TI IE C14URCH FAMILY BIRTH OF POPPY RESUMPTION OF WORSHIP PRACTICE IN THE CHURCH BUILDING STREET PASTOR SERVICE DEDICATION OF JOSHUA 03101121.. 05101121: 2710W21'. 07103121.. 11103121: 20103121: Q2104121: 04104121- 07104121- 22104121: 02105121: 30105121- TAR 19106121: 26106121. STREET PASTOR TFIAINING COMMENCES ALISTAIR HORNAL, TRUSTEES AND ELDERS DISCUSS WAY FORWARD OF CHURCH GOVERNANCE LIFfiNG OF RESTRICTIONS ON CHURCH MEETINGS- ALL MEETINGS CAN NOW BE HELD IN PERSON WEDDING OF SARAH AND MATTHEW OPEN ARMS STARTS UP AGAIN SUMMER SOCIALS ON A WEDNESDAY CELEBRATION SATURDAY. TO GIVE THANKS FOR COMING OUT OF LOCKDOWN AND TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING. FUN AND GAMES IN THE CHURCH CELEBRATION SUNDAY TO FOLLOW ON FROM THIS -PIZZA AND HOT TOPICS" WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS AND BEGINS "DISCIPLE" MACMILLAN COFFEE APPEAL AFTER SUNDAY SERVICE DEDICATION OF POPPY 'CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITION" AT SANDOWN RACECOURSE JOINT YOUNG PERSONS, SOCIAL WITH VINEYARD BEGINS FIRST "LEADERSHIP TEAM" PLANNING MEETING ELDERS AWAYDAY COMMISSIONING OF STREET PASTORS AT WILLESBOROUGH BAPTIST CHURCH JIM TAKES A 4 MONTH REST FROM ELDERSHIP DUTIES JULIE AND DIANA BEGIN CHURCH CHRISTMAS DECORATION DELIVERY OF CHRISTMAS CARDS BEGINS "PLAN B" BY GOVERNMENT MEANS RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF FACE COVERINGS CAROL SINGING IN VICTORIA QUARTER CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT SERVICE MIDNIGHT"FIRST COMMUNION OF CHRISTMAS" SERVICE CHRIS-, MAS DAY SERVICE 19107121= 31107121: 03108121: AUG 21.. 04109121: 05109121.. 24109121: 26109121: 03110121: 12110121.. 29110121: 02111121". 17111121.. 19111121- 01112121: 02112121: 10112121: 12112121: 15112121: 19112121: 24112121: 25112121: Sertion E Financial review Our policy is to retain sufficient reserves: •To ensure that the Church has sufficient funds to meet its rinancial commitments- Brief statement of the ¢haritVs pollcy on reserves •To ensure that the Church is able to rnanaEe future unforeseen financial d ifficulties- •To ensure that excessive fund5 are not held wf(hout èn identifiable reason or purpose. Details of any funds materially in deflclt TAR Further financial review details {Optional information) Most ¢f our funds come from members, donations. Gifts by bank transfer have increased. Restraints on the use of the bulldings during the pandemic has meant that offerin85 made at church services and money from hiring the building to community groups have greatly reduced. Our regular incorne has been le55 than our regular outgoings thi5 year by approximately £300 per month. At this rate we will be down to our reserve amount in three yea rs. There are 51Ens that this trend is reversing as the COVID-19 restrictions are rèlaxed and morè pèople and organisations comè Into the btjilding. (The lar8e balance we have at the moment includes a legacy which has been earmarked for projetts the church family feel would be in line with the donors, wishes). You may choose to Include dditional information, where relevant about= the charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising),. how expend Iture has supported the key objectives of the charityi investment policy and objectives includ ing any ethical investment poli adopted. Section F Other optional informatlon What we believe in: l The one true God who lives eternally in three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 2 The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world. 3 The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God- fully trustworthy for faith and conduct. 4 The dignity of all people, made male and female in God's image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine judgement. 5 The incarnation of God's eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ- born of the Virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin. 6 The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross.. dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God. 7 The bodily resurrection of Christ, the f irst-fruits of our resurrection; His ascension to the Father, and His reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world. 8 The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ. 9 The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with TAR Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness. 10 The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit's gifts to worship God and proclaim the 8ospel, promotingjustice and love. 11 The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfill the purposes of God who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and a new earth. Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they ha¥e approved the trustees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charirfs trustees SiEnature{s) lils Full namels) Positlon leg Secretary. Chalr. etc) Date 03- 2DIV TAR 10 - - 56 �7 �  8�9 :� ~~8��~~ :;� <�7:�7 � =:< �>7 �� 9 4 � - � � CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH On acGounts for the year ended 31 ST DECEMBER 2021 Charity no (if any) 1165151 Sèt out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {"the Trust") for the year ended 3111212021 Responsibilitios and As the charrty truslees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparalion basis of report of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respecl of my examination ofthe Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the Art. I have completed my examination. l Gonfimi that no material matters have come to my attention lolher than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounling records Independent examinerfs statement I have no concems and have come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please elete the words in the br8Gkets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 2511012022 Name: ROGER ASHLEY HUGHES Relevant professional qualification{sl or body lif any): ICPA Address: WAYSIDE ALDINGTON ASHFORD KENT TN25 7DT IER October 2018