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← Sheddingdean Baptist Church

2024-12-31-accounts

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees SHEDDINGDEAN BAPTIST CHURCH BURGESS HILL SUSSEX On accounts for the year ended 31 It DECEMBER 2024 Charity no (if any) 1168341 Set out on pages 1-21 Plus EXAMINERS REPORT (1) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the 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 accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("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 carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts 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 connection 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. Signed: Date: 62 Name: Neil Watts Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): F.P.M.l. Address= 25 Greenlands Close Burgess Hill Sussex RH150AR IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018

Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Sheddingdean Baptist Church

Annual Report and Accounts

for year ended 31[st] December 2024

The Leadership Team (all of whom are the church’s trustees under the Charities Act) are pleased to present the Annual Report, together with the accounts that have been examined in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission, for the year to 31 December 2024.

The financial statements comply with the required Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).

The Trustees are so thankful for all the encouragement and support that they have received from the membership and congregation throughout the year.

Reference and Administrative details of the Charity and its Trustees

Charity Status

Sheddingdean Baptist Church is a Registered Charity - number 1168341. 20 July 2016.

The Church does not currently own a place of worship but meets at Sheddingdean Primary School.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Managing Trustees

The Church is administered by the current Diaconate who are the Managing Trustees of the Charity comprising:

Moderator: Rev Stuart Davison

Colin Allen (until Nov 2024)

Sylvia Lewis

Deborah McDonald

Valerie Dando

Gillian Davison

Eric Pollard

There is still a ministerial vacancy which we are actively seeking to fill.

Bankers: Nat West Bank, 1 Muster Green, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4AP

Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, OX11 8RT

CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 44JQ

Independent Examiner:

Mr Neil Watts, F.P.M.I., 25 Greenlands Close, Burgess Hill,

RH15 0AR

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Structure, governance and management

Governing Document

Sheddingdean Baptist Church is an un-incorporated body, a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Didcot, Oxfordshire. It is governed by the terms set out in its own Constitution.

The current Constitution was adopted on 27 January 2015 at a Special Church Meeting and was amended on 27 November 2018 in order to allow a higher number of Trustees, and in July 2022 to allow ‘equivalents to be treasurer and secretary’. It was again updated in February 2023 to allow up to nine deacons.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The method of recruitment and appointment of trustees is set out in section 15 of the Church Constitution. Under guidelines issued by the Baptist Union, those appointed by the constitutional process to serve as elders or deacons, and those appointed to specific posts by the constitutional process, such as Secretary and Treasurer, automatically become Trustees on their appointment.

Organisational Structure

The Church is governed and regulated by its own members where all aspects of the work of the Church are subject to the approval of the Church meeting that is normally held five times a year. The Minister of the Church, when in office, is a paid Managing Trustee, and with the Deacons, and Moderator, gives leadership to the Church. The Deacons assist the Minister in his/her role and are also responsible for preparing the business for the Church Meetings.

The Baptist Union and South Eastern Baptist Association

The Church is part of the wider Baptist family and is therefore a member church of the South Eastern Baptist Association (SEBA) and of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB). Both organisations are registered charities. The Church pays an annual subscription to SEBA and to BUGB based upon its membership numbers and also makes a donation to BUGB (Home Mission Fund) for the Baptist family in the UK.

Custodian Trustee

The Baptist Union holds the deeds for the Manse. This property is 31 Chestnut Close, Burgess Hill, RH15 0HN. No property valuation has been undertaken in recent years and the value shown in the accounts is the estimated value based on local market house sale prices and the Nationwide price increase index for the area.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Relationships between the Charity and Related Parties

Members of the fellowship have engaged and continue to serve in many ways in the local community including the Respect Youth club. Relationships are being strengthened with the Windmills Opportunity Playgroup which meet at the Community Centre. The Sheddingdean Strummers, all of whom are members of the church, are a Ukulele, Guitar, Song and Dance Group which performs in local venues.

The church continues its support of Befriended, an organisation providing support and friendship for the lonely and elderly.

Members of the fellowship regularly contribute items of food and toiletries to the Basics Bank at Brighton and Hove City Mission; this forms a food bank in Brighton.

Several Ministers of local churches continue to meet monthly for prayer and there are regular joint church prayer events.

The Church remains committed to promoting and using fairly-traded produce.

Members of the Fellowship continue to support the Cornerstone Project financially.

Charity Vision and Mission Statement

‘Connecting more deeply with God (worship) so that we can connect God to every part of our lives (discipleship) and then connect others to Jesus (mission).’

At Sheddingdean Baptist Church we are seeking to be

Objectives and Activities

The principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to Holy Scripture and the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

The Activities, which seek to serve both the membership and the local and wider community include, but are not restricted to:

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Worship

Weekly services have been held at Sheddingdean Primary School.

Services have been led by members of the church and there have been visiting preachers most weeks. Stuart Davison, a church member and our moderator, has preached once a month.

A church member has produced short dramas to include in some of our services.

We connect with IBTI (International Bible Training Institute) and welcome the students to lead worship.

Sermons are recorded and put on the website each week.

Prayer

Prayer is a fundamental part of our life at Sheddingdean Baptist Church.

During 2024 our online Tuesday morning prayer has continued and flourished. The half an hour spent together is an important time in the week. We usually focus on three different relevant topics as well as praying for pastoral needs in the church.

We also meet for prayer in person once a month on a Tuesday evening at the Community Centre. This has been well supported.

Throughout 2024 the weekly prayer walk around our community on Thursday afternoons has continued. During this time, we have prayed all around our area: Sheddingdean, the Cornerstone site, the Industrial estate, Bedelands and the new areas of Brookleigh, Abbeville and Fairways. Welcome leaflets have been delivered to the new houses.

We have picked up litter around the area, and engaged in conversations wherever possible. It is a wonderful time of prayer as well as fellowship together as we walk.

Connection Groups

There are currently six active connection groups in the Church encouraging members to grow in faith and love, mutually caring for each other through Bible study, Prayer and Fellowship. They are the first port of call for pastoral care and are also attended by some who do not attend our regular Church services. Groups meet either weekly, fortnightly or monthly at different times of the day to serve the needs of their respective members.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Over the past year we have asked our preachers to provide questions based on the sermon and these have been the focus of Bible Study and discussion in most groups.

Fellowship is an integral part of meeting together and is usually over tea and cake, or lunch groups. Other activities such as Walks, Bowling or sharing a take-away together provide further opportunities for fellowship and to invite partners or friends.

Church Website.

Our website has been redesigned by our tech team to make it more accessible. It is updated regularly and is visited by church members and those outside the church.

Children and Youth

Sheddingdean Baptist Church is actively engaging in the community. We have good connections with various families through Messy Church and it’s a surprise to many how SBC, a small church, can organise such a fun and engaging event. This is all down to the gifts our God has provided and how he is working in the Sheddingdean Community.

Activities are available when young children come to the service with their parents.

Messy Church continued in 2024 and was held every other month throughout the year, alternating with a planning/preparation meeting. We had a regular attendance of 30 to 40 children accompanied by their parents/guardians and they enjoyed a morning of crafts, games and hospitality as well as a celebration time with bible stories or songs.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Community Carol Singing.

On a very wet evening in December, we were joined by two donkeys as we went carol singing. We started on the new Brookleigh estate and walked to Burgess Hill Town Football Club. We sang carols along the way and then sang some more inside the club where refreshments were served. The aim was to connect with the community, encouraging families to come and have photos with the donkeys. Despite the rain it was a successful evening.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Sheddingdean Easter Egg Hunt

2024 was the fourth consecutive year of holding our Community Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday. Despite the wet and muddy conditions, about 300 children came and enjoyed the hunt around the Bedelands Nature Reserve. Each child was given a copy of the Easter story as well as an Easter gift. Our marvellous volunteers from SBC and Messy Church acted as guides, tea-makers, and hot cross bun butterers! We received donations of hot cross buns from the local Co-op, and some funding from the local housing association.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Cornerstone Café

The Cornerstone café continued to be open in 2024 twice monthly until September, attracting visitors from the church and the community. It was valued by those who visited it but, due to falling numbers, the café closed for the time being.

Pudding and Coffee Club

Pudding and Coffee Club currently meets at a Garden Centre on the third Saturday of each month. It is intended to maintain contact between the ladies, who over the years, have had a connection with the church fellowship. Attendance varies between ten and fifteen.

Walks

There are two walking groups open to anyone in the fellowship and beyond. The ‘pilgrims’ group continue to walk from time to time, usually visiting a church on route.

A men’s walking group meet for a walk followed by a pub lunch.

Sheddingdean Strummers

The Sheddingdean Strummers have continued to perform in 2024 bringing the joy of music and hope to various groups locally and further afield.

Our repertoire of songs, both secular and sacred, are performed with the intention of bringing joy to

people, particularly seniors and residents of care homes. Sometimes people like to support the work that we do by giving gifts to the Cornerstone project.

In February 2024 we sang at Villa Adastra in Hassocks.

In March we were at Haywards Heath Baptist Church.

In April we sang at St Wilfred’s Vintage Club. In May we visited Forest View Care Home in Burgess Hill. In June we were back at Chailey Heritage again.

We were performing for “Befriended” at Gateway Baptist Church in July.

In September we had the joy of singing at Crossways Care Home in Lindfield where Dora, one of our church members, lives.

In October we sang for Befriended and in November we sang at Burgess Hill bereavement group. In November we were at Forest View Care Home to sing to one of our fellowship and the other residents. Finally in December we played at Christmas events; the WI that meet at St Wilfred’s in Burgess Hill, a “The Happy Circle” group at Plumpton Village Hall and finally at our own Sheddingdean Baptist Church Carol Service.

Links with other churches.

Joint services and times of fellowship have been developed with Gateway – the other Baptist Church in town.

Churches have joined together for prayer walks.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Mission

The Church provides financial and prayer support to organisations working for the advancement of the Christian faith both in the UK and in the wider world.

Each year the church fellowship gives to various organisations.

Total mission giving was 22% of total receipts (excludes Cornerstone income)

The Church has maintained its support for its mission partners across the world through the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS); to Baptist Union Home Mission, to Baptist Twinning in Israel (for NETS – Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary, and to Tek Ura, a Baptist charity in Albania.

The Church Anniversary Appeal was given to Spurgeon’s College, a training college for ministers.

Harvest-time – our offering was for the BMS Appeal ‘Seek First the Kingdom’. This is to help people in Bangladesh to get children into school, help distribute emergency food, and relief in disasters.

Giving (apart from Baptist giving) includes regular support of the Savage family who planted and now lead a church, along with its associated activities, in Hem, Northern France. The church works with children and young people as well as people facing many difficulties in life. It also holds community events annually.

Regular support is also given to Brighton & Hove City Mission for their work with the needy, which includes going into schools and care homes, and running the local foodbank.

This year saw continued regular giving to a charity called TEK URA. This is based in Albania, and works with the underprivileged who have little access to appropriate healthcare, especially physiotherapy. Locals are being trained as professionals and encouraged to take on leadership roles.

Once again, the church supported Samaritan’s Purse’ ‘Operation Christmas Child’. Shoe boxes were sent to disadvantaged children in different parts of the world, accompanied by donations to assist with transport.

Local Mission - The Church is situated on the edge of the Northern Arc development which will see thousands of new homes built over the next 15 years. We see this this as a significant part of our mission field as we seek to serve and build relationships in the area and create a bridge between the existing and new communities.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts For year ended 31st December 2024

The Church Anniversary Appeal in 2023 was for a replacement tree outside the local Coop. This tree had been planted for the community as a remembrance to loved ones lost during the Covid Pandemic, but, sadly, had been vandalised. We are pleased to say that in 2024 this was replaced and is doing well!

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Our final appeal for the year was at Christmas…for a local group, ‘Christmas Wishes’. These ladies collect gifts to give to children, and provide Christmas meals for those in need in the local community.

GDPR

GDPR

The Church Leadership is fully committed to implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR came into force on 27[th] May 2018 and the Trustees are fully committed to implementing it. Three people attended a course at Gateway Baptist Church organised by SEBA. Subsequent to this, a GDPR Policy was drawn up and passed by the Membership at the AGM.

The Church now holds signed permission by everyone in the database. The Leadership will update the policy as and when required to make sure that we conform to the regulations.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts For year ended 31st December 2024

The Cornerstone Project.

We have continued to seek God’s direction for a new building. At a special church meeting in June, there was a clear consensus of sharing in a vision to build, but the members were undecided as to whether or not the current plans, timing and location were right. The church remains committed to the mission element of the Cornerstone project.

Achievements and Performance

The Church does not measure the success of its activities purely by numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible factors such as fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees acknowledge that these are difficult to measure but believe that 2024 was a good year in the life of the Church, particularly in the current climate.

As at 31stDecember there were: As at 31stDecember there were:
Baptisms
0
New Members
2
Deaths
2
Total Members 56

The average attendance for 2024 was 50, and the wider church fellowship prospered through various activities in and with the local community.

Financial review

Sheddingdean Baptist Church’s principal source of income arises from gifts received from members and others who are personally associated with the church.

Finance is also required for the upkeep of the Manse, the stipend and housing of the Pastor and the hiring of venues for church activities. There are no other paid employees.

During the year the church continued to make significant gifts to home and overseas missions and relief appeals: some of these gifts were made directly by individual members online, rather than through the church’s accounts.

Policy on Reserves

While the Trustees continue to believe that it is not appropriate to hold excessive reserves, they recognise that a general reserve is required to provide:

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

All payments are subject to the availability of funds. In order to provide for these requirements, the Trustees believe that an appropriate level for the general reserve should fall about midway between the average of three months expenditure and one quarter of the annual budget. It is reviewed on an annual basis.

In 2018 the prudent balance figure was changed to £17,500 which, although slightly higher than the requirements set out above, was considered prudent whilst the Cornerstone Project is active. Reserves remained above this figure at all times throughout this year. In the event of the general reserve falling short of this ‘prudent balance’, action would be taken at the earliest opportunity to inform all members, and further steps would be taken to address the situation through the budgetary process. From December 2021 the majority of this money has been in an interest- bearing account. Given the requirement to give 3 months’ notice to withdraw the funds, the decision was made to leave the remaining £2,500 within the General current account.

The examined Accounts for the year 2024 follow in the subsequent pages of the report.

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts For year ended 31st December 2024

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

  1. The Receipts and Payments of the General accounts and the Cornerstone accounts are presented separately on Excel software, and this allows them to be managed independently. Columns within each section indicate which funds are held within these accounts.

  2. The church holds a NatWest Current account for Sheddingdean Baptist Church General Funds as well as a 3 month notice interest generating Liquidity Manager Saver Account which holds the majority of the Reserve funds (see also the information given in the Financial Review). The church also holds a CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) bank account for Cornerstone funds, as well as a NatWest Current Account, two Baptist Union Deposit Accounts and a NatWest Liquidity Manager Saver Account.

  3. The format for these accounts is set out to comply with SORP regulations. This shows in detail the Receipts and Payments, and Assets and Liabilities of the Church.

  4. Assets and liabilities are recorded on a separate page. Depreciation is calculated by British straight-line method.

Further notes, see ‘notes’ that follow.

S Jenkinson, VB Dando & JT Styles

These notes form an integral part of the Statement of Accounts

Further notes:

The church building project is called The Cornerstone Project (labelled as Cornerstone in the accounts) and records monies given specifically for this purpose. The majority of standing orders to Cornerstone are paid into the NatWest Account and Cornerstone Collection monies are generally paid into the NatWest bank account. In order to keep the balance of money held in the NatWest Cornerstone Current Account to a level that does not attract business rates, transfers of money are made to the CAF bank account during the year. This account is used to make payments relating to Cornerstone. Cornerstone has been nominated as a recipient for some memorial funds.

S Jenkinson (Treasurer), VB Dando & JT Styles (Treasury Team)

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Note a Nationwide house price index, and recent sales in the area.

S Jenkinson (Treasurer), VB Dando, JT Styles (Treasury Team)

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Sheddingdean Baptist Church Annual Report and Accounts

For year ended 31st December 2024

Examiner of Accounts

The examiner of the 2024 accounts was Mr Neil Watts, F.P.M.I. We are very grateful to him for all his help.

Declaration

Accounts prepared by the Treasury Team.

Approved by the Trustees of Sheddingdean Baptist Church on 13.5.2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Susan Jenkinson Treasurer/Trustee Trustee

Valerie Dando

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