2022-12-31-accounts

Report of the Trustees

and

Financial Statement

For the year ending 31[st] December 2022

for

Fressingfield Baptist Church

Trustee Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2022

Reference and Administration details

Charity Name – FRESSINGFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

Registered Charity Number – 1166572 (as of 18[th] April 2016)

Charity’s Public Address – Fressingfield Baptist Chapel School Lane Fressingfield Eye Suffolk IP21 5RU

Names of Charity Trustees (Office Bearers) who manage the charity

These Trustees were appointed at a members meeting

Stuart Balmer Pastor Richard Walsh Treasurer Martin Aylett Deacon Peter Davidson Deacon Trevor Thompson Deacon

Church Office – [e-mail]

Church Website www.fressingfieldbaptist.church

Church Trustees - Property

Mr Peter Davidson (Chairman) Mr Colin Grimwood

Mr Darren Noller Mr Gordon Leggett Mr Ian Smith Mr Mark Newcombe Mr Owen Le-Roy Mr Robert Powell Mr Charles Davidson

Independent Examiner of Accounts

Jamie Pretty Offices 6 Rickinghall Business Centre Willow Farm Allwood Green Rickinghall Diss, Norfolk IP22 1LQ

[e-mail]

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc 6 Market Place Harleston Norfolk IP20 9AE

Structure, Governance and Management

Fressingfield Baptist Church is a charity that operates under the governance of a Constitution adopted at a meeting of their members on 28[th] July 2015

The constitution governs the charitable assets of the Church from a legal perspective in accordance with the requirements of Charity Law. Regulations affecting the spiritual governance of the Church are contained in a separate document entitled ‘Rules and Regulations’

FBC (Fressingfield Baptist Church) owns various buildings as listed below.

The Chapel

This building is subject to a Trust Deed dated 1835 which is managed by the Trustees listed above. 50% of the Trustees are members of FBC and the balance are members of other local churches of the same faith and order .

The original chapel had an adjacent graveyard which was retained by FBC for the use of the membership and others by agreement. It is held in trust by the chapel trustees.

Dwellings – 1 to 5 Chapel Close

These five dwellings consist of a two bedroomed bungalow, three two bedroomed houses and a three bedroomed house. These were built from the proceeds of a legacy given to the church and are held in Trust by the same group but on behalf of FBC. These continue to still be in the ownership of the church and are held in trust by the Chapel Trustees.

Membership

The Church members would be those who have been baptised in the traditional Baptist way, and the numbers attending are consistent and we have had believer’s baptism and transfers, with a faithful wider congregation meeting regularly for worship services.

Objectives and Activities

These remain as previous but the fellowship has taken a major step in improving both its spiritual and social outreach and having now moved into a new purpose built chapel, we continually look for opportunities to support the local community.

The principle objective of FBC is the advancement of the Christian Faith according to Baptist principles and in accordance with the Church’s Rules and Regulations.

The charity does also carry out and supports other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world – see mission giving below.

Chapel Building

It consists of a 250 seat worship space, a sports hall, a kitchen capable of serving hot food as a means of fellowship and encouragement to the less fortunate, in whatever situation they find themselves. The foyer is a separate larger space with a café for use daily, both by young and old and those in-between. There is a dedicated Sunday School area with open classrooms to reflect our determination to provide safe and secure facilities for young people, both in the church and in the local community. There was considerable overspend on building the new chapel These overspends have been covered by a considerable loan from the Baptist Building CIO and personal loans from church members.

It is hoped to reduce the overall debt by the sale of land owned by the Church for residential plots – planning permission is being sort and is on-going.

Our main activities include

Sunday meetings, in person and on Zoom. Sunday bible study and prayer time – combination of live and Zoom. Mid-week bible studies and prayer meeting with regular Home Groups. Evangelistic activities to all age ranges in the community. Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved. Young Peoples Groups – mid week, weekends. Parent and Toddler Group – Friday mornings.

Ladies meeting – both fellowship and evangelistic – will hopefully commence shortly after closing due to COVID.

Men’s Groups – both fellowship and evangelistic. Promotion and support of Missions (see mission giving below) Local school assemblies

Hope Explored and Discipleship are run as a means of presenting the bible and Gospel message to those seeking.

Coffee Shop – opened daily to provide a safe, warm, friendly environment for any who wish to attend.

Achievements and performance

Through the preaching of God’s word, the Bible, we have seen our regular congregation continue to grow, both numerically and spiritually. The church is blessed and pleased to have Stuart Balmer as their resident Minister and under Shepherd. Paul Buss as Assistant Pastor – with his role bringing an emphasis on encouraging those working with young people.

Brief description of the various works the Church is involved in:

As a precursor to the following we take children’s health, care and safety as paramount. All those working with children will have been through DBS checks and we have a strict policy to maintain and monitor this programme. The policy was reviewed and enhanced through 2022 in addition a general safeguarding event was held.

Toddler Group called Friday Fun Time provides a weekly, Friday morning time where parents can bring their pre-school children and meet with other parents/carers: mostly ladies but men do attend.

KLIC, Keep Living in Christ, is an opportunity for teenagers to meet together for bible study and discipleship, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

EPIC is for 5 to 11 year olds to meet, to play games, and interact after a week of school with their friends and incorporating an age appropriate bible talk.

Y Zone is yet to restart but there are plans for various events to help those of High School Age meet together.

Sunday School, which has been renamed Lighthouse, meets Sunday mornings and is well attended.

Holiday Bible Club, was held in August. A bible club for 3 to 12 year olds and it was very well attended. It is run by volunteers who prepare through the year to keep the whole morning bright and attractive to the children. It has been running at least 40 years and obviously parents/grandparents who attended are now bringing their children.

All of the above events are financed through FBC and no charges are made.

Teaching and building up God’s people

We are blessed by the eldership who have filled this role within the church preaching Sunday by Sunday and additional works as required to meet the need of members and other attendees.

Property – maintenance and equipment

The Church is blessed to have five properties as listed previously which are rented at no more than local council rents for the same size dwellings and often below. We do support those who cannot always find the full deposits etc. that commercial landlords would expect. It is often difficult to enforce payments of rent but we have tried to be good social landlords.

We do have expenses such as repairs and refurbishments, which can all be clearly seen in the presented accounts.

Financial Report and Review

Financial statement for the year ended 31[st] December 2022.

We have supported various Missions, and individuals in Missionary work.

During previous years, we have been singularly blessed financially and have not had to formally budget however with the cost of the new chapel and increase in paid ministry, we have to budget. We can meet all and any financial demands placed upon us. We do feel we have been prudent and discerning with what God has given to us.

As a sign of national fellowship with other like-minded evangelical churches we are members of the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) which allows us to recognise the needs of other fellowships and for us to have the support of legal, financial, pastoral, support etc.

Health and Safety

We have an internal Health and Safety officer who maintains our policy and monitors other commitments on Health and Safety.

In addition to this role, there is a team of three, who monitor and implement Government guidelines on COVID etc.

Income & Expenditure Account

For the year ended 31st December 2022

Notes INCOME Donations Legacies received Interest received Rent received Property Sales Other income Total Income EXPENDITURE Staff costs Chapel costs Housing costs Other ministry costs Mission Giving 1 Capital items Loan Repayments Legal expenses Total Expenditure Net Income B/F Transfers C/F	2022 2021 General Housing Unrestricted Total Total Fund Fund fund fund fund £ £ £ £ £ 156,724 0 156,724 156,724 253,623 0 0 0 3 15 17 17 8 33,904 33,904 33,904 33,220 0 0 0 154,334 363,153 0 363,153 363,153 251,330
	519,880 33,919 553,798 553,798 692,515
	74,466 74,466 74,466 57,955 15,628 15,628 15,628 5,467 3,552 3,552 3,552 4,715 3,874 3,874 3,874 2,531 7,100 7,100 7,100 5,025 250,000 115,436 365,436 365,436 844,014 75,000 75,000 75,000 0 744 744 744 670
	426,812 118,988 545,800 545,800 920,377
	93,068 -85,070 7,999 7,999 (227,862)
	7,091 8,761 15,852 TRUE -89,012 89,012 0 11,146 12,704 23,851 TRUE

Balance Sheet

For the year ended 31st December 2022

Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Cash at Bank Prepayments Total current assets Current Liabilities Sundry creditors Total current liabilities Net Current Assets Total non current liabilities Net Assets Funds Unresricted fund Capital fund Total Funds	2,367,449 2,002,013 20,664 13,716 3,186 2,136 23,851 15,852 210,000 0 210,000 0 -186,149 15,852 250,000 0
	1,931,299 2,017,865
	23,851 15,852 1,907,449 2,002,013
	1,931,299 2,017,865

Notes

1. Mission Giving

Special Offerings Royal British Legion Tear Fund Tear Fund - Christmas Appeal Individual Missionaries & Workers Person C Missions Asia Link Caring for Life Open Doors Reach Across Other Organisations Affinity All Saints School Fressingfield Christian Institute FIEC Grace Baptist Trust Corporation Grace Directory Radio Bible Class Sixth Sense Magazine United Christian Broadcasting Sizewell Hall Total Mission Giving	2022 2021 £ £ 200 200 3,900 0 700 0
	4,800 200
	500 500
	500 500
	0 400 750 1,000 400 1,000 350 0
	1,500 2,400
	0 100 0 150 0 375 250 250 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,000
	300 1,925
	7,100 5,025

Inde endent Exgminer's Re ort I report on the financial statements of Fressingfield Baptist Church for the year ended 31 December 2022 s¢t out on pages three to six. Respective respollsibiliti&s of trustees and examiner Th¢ charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Aci 2011 (the Charities Acl) and that an ind¢p¢ndenl examination is required. It is tny responsibility to.. examine the financial statements under Section 145 the Charities Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Dire¢lions giv¢n by the Charity ComJnission (under Section 145{5){b) of the Charities Act)- and to stste whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of tbe independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a ¢omparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or dis¢losur¢s in th¢ a¢¢ounls, and se¢king ¢xplanations from you as trusttts concerning any matters. The pro¢edures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to wheiher the a¢¢ounts present a 'trlle and fair, view. Independent examiner's statement In connection with our examination. no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any material respe¢t, the requirements o to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charili¢s Act. and o to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record5 and to ¢ornply with the accounting requirernents of the Charities Act have not been met. or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper undeT5tanding of the accounts to be reached. Jamie Pretty FCCA Jamie Pretty Chartered Certified Accountants Office 6. Rickinghall Business Centre Willow Farm, Allwood Green Rickinghall. Diss Norfolk IP22 1 LQ