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← Burnham On Sea Baptist Church

2023-12-31-accounts

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TRUSTEE REPORT 2023

Adopted: 7[th] April 2024

COLLEGE STREET | BURNHAM ON SEA | SOMERSET | TA8 1AR REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1170311 01278 794057 | BURNHAMBAPTISTS.ORG

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Contents

Trustee Report 2023 ................................................................................................................................ 2 Governance, Leadership Team and Membership ..................................................................... 2 Sunday Worship and Prayer ............................................................................................................. 3 Other Church Activities ....................................................................................................................... 5 Looking Ahead - 2024 .......................................................................................................................... 7 Trustees’ Annual Report – Charity Commission ............................................................................ 8 Independent Examiner’s Report ........................................................................................................ 15

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Trustee Report 2023

2023 has been a year of continued growth for Burnham on Sea Baptist Church; growth in church attendance, church membership, church activities, Baptisms, community projects, church finances, and most importantly, growth in our love for our Lord Jesus Christ. This year has not been without its challenges, but we continue to seek the will of God for his church and the community of Burnham on Sea and Highbridge with the certain hope our Christian faith offers. We feel these are exciting times and praise God for all he is doing in and through our lives and for the opportunities that we have to share the love of Jesus with our wider communities; thank you God.

Governance, Leadership Team and Membership

Governance

2023 has seen us remain in full membership of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and WEBNET, whose support and advice continue to aid us in running the church. We have strengthened our bonds with the wider Baptist family with attendance by a representative at the AGM of both BUGB and WEBNET.

We remain a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and fully comply with all the regulations outlined by the Charity Commission. We continue to review our policies to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and continue to operate within the bounds of our constitution. We are also a member of the local churches together network, with Ann Storey as our church representative.

Leadership Team

We have seen a few changes to the leadership throughout 2023 with Patricia Harris stepping down, balanced by the appointment of two new deacons, Malcolm Spratt & Philip Nicol. Malcolm has taken on the role of organising home groups, and we have seen this implemented very successfully. Sarah Taylor has remained in the role of Safeguarding lead, while joining Rob and Leanne on the team planning Sunday worship.

Jane Silk now heads up the HR for paid staff members with oversight over communications and David Williams has stayed in the role of GDPR officer and Overseer of the fabric team. We are forever thankful for the work of Graham Brown in the role of Treasurer, who works hard at ensuring funds are accounted for and the budget is set appropriately.

Leanne Swift was re-elected for a further 3-year term at the end of the year, and holds the role of overseeing membership and records, in line with ensuring compliance in governance.

The leadership team continues to meet fortnightly to pray and discuss the practical matters of church life.

The Rev. Rob Howlett has continued to serve full time while continuing with his NAMs training (Newly Accredited Minister). Rev. Rob maintains a strong working relationship

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with the Rev. Jade Zerk from Hope Baptist in Highbridge, with whom we have seen an increased sense of ‘togetherness’ as the churches join together in various activities and events, with both churches welcoming members of the other. Rev. Rob also enjoys a good working relationship with the other ecumenical ministers group meeting with them monthly.

Membership

Membership has continued to see growth and by the end of 2023 we had 65 members, an increase of 9 from last year. In addition to an increased number of members, we have also seen growth in the number of young adults and families in attendance regularly with numbers each week averaging 50-70 people. The numbers of volunteers have also increased enabling us to expand the work we do and activities we can offer. We regularly stream our Sunday morning services on YouTube and see an average of 60 views each week. We continue to welcome all who join us and encourage everyone to join in with the activities on offer throughout the week. It is our continued goal to ensure that all are welcome in our church and have an opportunity to worship, fellowship together and be a part of the wider church family and, in doing so, that people are discipled and encouraged to grow in their faith.

Sunday Worship and Prayer

Sunday Worship

Sunday mornings continue to be focused on facilitating hearing the word of God, through teaching, sung worship and prayer. This year we welcomed both (the then) president of the Baptist Union Hayley Young and the general secretary of the BU Lynn green as guest speakers, as well as other speakers, including some of the charities that we support.

We have seen the ‘multi-voice’ approach continue to grow and bear fruit, with a regular rota of people hosting, praying, leading, and preaching from within our membership. We continue to explore fresh expressions of worship and have committed to following God’s leading in how we approach our Sunday worship. It is our aim that church be accessible for all, and so 2023 saw us continue to explore how to do this more effectively, both within the core planning team and the wider leadership structure.

Once a month as an alternative to our usual main Sunday worship service, we have continued to hold a monthly café church style meeting, and while this is still evolving, it has been well supported. This continues to adapt and evolve as we experiment with what works in this style of service.

We have seen an increase in the need for young people’s provision to ensure accessibility to all ages, and so 2023 saw the return of the popular ‘Lighthouse club’ for primary aged children, running alongside the main Sunday worship. In addition, a monthly youth study for secondary aged children held during the morning worship has also emerged in response to the need to facilitate all ages to engage with the word of God.

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With our Sunday evening ‘Encounter’ worship service on the last Sunday of the month, we have continued to see it well supported, notably there is a good sense of Ecumenical worship as those from other churches join us.

While we are now fully back to in person worship services and meetings, the benefit of streaming our services via YouTube for those who are unable to attend in person for any reason, but, in particular for those who may be housebound, has meant that we have continued to stream all Sunday services apart from café church (only due to the impracticalities due to the nature of the style in which it is done.).

Throughout 2023 we saw a regular following with the majority of services recorded being steamed or played at a later date hitting the 60 views mark.

We remain committed that all areas of Sunday services are centred on God's word, on the building up of disciples and worship of God. We also remain committed to making services as accessible, engaging and encouraging as possible while being open to new expressions as God leads us.

Prayer

Prayer has always been a focus of the church This year efforts have been made to expand the prayer life of the church to try and involve as many people as possible, including those members of the congregation who would not necessarily see themselves as people who pray.

This has involved meeting half an hour before each Sunday services just to pray in a specially purposed prayer room. From this time of prayer alone, we have seen answers to prayer. We have seen people encouraged and enabled to pray bold prayers and grow in their own personal prayer lives.

In Advent we held a new style curry and prayer evening, combining prayer followed by fellowship over a meal. This was well supported with 30-40 people attending each week it ran. Dawn & Graham Brown worked hard, but created a space in which both regular church attenders and those who are not feeling welcomed, cared for and encouraged in their faith.

Every Friday Morning the church building is opened at 7am for an hour, allowing people to share a time of prayer for the church family and for the community. This time is open to all. Our aim as a church is to equip and help people to engage in prayer, ensuring that prayer and hearing from God, is at the centre of all we do. especially as we see answers to prayer which encourages people’s faith.

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Other Church Activities

Encounter Homegroups

At the start of 2023 One of the four home groups had increased in numbers so much, that it was necessary to formulate another group. This was successful, so we now have five homegroups meeting regularly.

These groups have evolved and moved together in a way to Encounter scriptures that will help us to grow as disciples individually as well as growing together as a fellowship, that we all may know the fullness of the gospel and God's love for us.

2023 saw us taking a more united approach to house groups, with all groups following the same set studies This started with a Lent Study entitled Confidence from the LICC which encouraged people to grow in confidence, in six areas of the Christian life, Convinced, Community, Compassion, Consistency, Competence, Courage.

We then continued with studies throughout the book of Acts, looking at the early church. We concluded the year with and advent study on, peace, hope, joy & love.

We have restructured our groups and each now have a study leader and a designated pastoral support volunteer. As a part of the restructuring, all church attenders have been assigned to a home group and the pastoral supporter has become their point of contact for prayer or pastoral issues.

The leadership have been very encouraged with the way the homegroups have been progressing and are encouraged by the growth in numbers attending and the deeper depth of discipleship as evidenced in the wider church.

Fabric Team

Maintaining a church, as old as the Baptist Church, and making it suitable for all the needs of the present day, is no small task. We have been richly blessed that so many volunteers have contributed so much to maintaining and developing the church. Some of the major areas that have been dealt with this year include:

A sincere thank you to all our volunteers, especially to Steve and Jenny who head up the fabric team.

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Church Communications

We have a weekly notice sheet which is sent by email to all those who have opted in to receive it; a paper format handed out before church services. In addition, we have a quarterly newsletter broadcast which is themed in line with future study series.

We communicate with the wider community through features and stories published in local newspapers and websites.

Community Projects

With our continued commitment to our local community, we have enjoyed opportunities to maintain our work with a number of other organisations including Safe Families, Foodbank, and Food Pantry, as well as offer financial support to InHope (Bristol), Project Ruth, and The Leprosy Mission.

Revd. Rob Howlett is also a founding trustee of The Waffle Hub Community Café, a project that launched in 2022 with the local Methodist Church, which is designed to alleviate loneliness, isolation, and food poverty.

We continue to take an active role the community garden based at Hope Baptist Church and the bumper crop of fruit and vegetables this year was enjoyed by many families who need the support of Foodbank.

The success of these projects has been a real blessing to our community, and we must thank all the volunteers who tirelessly support the work.

Children and Youth

In 2023 we were able to re-establish the Lighthouse Club, providing Sunday morning activities for children aged 4-11 during our Sunday service on two Sundays each month. A team of 6 helpers prepared, led, and supported the sessions. We welcomed between 2 and 7 children regularly to this time.

We were also able to establish a Sunday Bible study twice a month for youth aged from 11-16. The group began by studying a series of videos produced by the Bible Society to help us understand why we study the Bible. They also met for their first social event to go bowling.

A young adults’ group was established in April 2023 bringing together those over 18 for social events. The group has grown and many of its members are regular Sunday morning attenders. Plans for the group include their own Bible study group.

Meeting Place

The Meeting Place continues to open its doors to welcome people for tea, coffee, and cake as well as hear from a local speaker, including the very popular Leprosy Mission, Open Doors, and John Strictland (local historian). As numbers continue to grow, we praise God for the work he is doing to help the lonely and isolated members of our community through the work of the Meeting Place, led by Eileen Wood and Suzanne Davis.

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Tiny Tots

Tiny Tots continued to go from strength to strength in 2023. There were some changes in leaders, but this did not affect the running of the morning. There was a good regular attendance of 20+ families (40+ children). It was pleasing to see some Tiny Tots families at our Christmas nativity service. God is good! At the end of the year Ann Storey stepped down from helping to lead the group and we thank her for the tireless work and commitment she has given to Tiny Tots and pray for God’s guidance as she enters a new chapter in serving God.

Looking Ahead - 2024

We look forward with hope for 2024. Plans include: the continuing and developing of our missional and community projects with Foodbank, Food Pantry, Safe Families, Project Ruth, The Waffle Hub Community Café, Open Doors, The Leprosy Mission, InHope, and others; the expansion of the community garden at Hope Baptist Church; running Alpha; to develop a youth programme and drop-in service accessible to everyone; to continue our review and development of our church building to include greater opportunities to share this amazing resource; to increase our community lunches and other community activities; to create a 24:7 Prayer Room. But most of all, our plan is to see the Kingdom of God grow in Burnham on Sea and Highbridge.

We would like to thank all of those involved who support all the church activities, especially the unsung heroes from behind the scenes – Fabric Team, Welcome Team, Finance and Administration Team, Counting Team, Catering Team, Flower Team, Communion Prep Team, Tech Team, Lighthouse Club leaders. The church would not function without all your help and support, and we are eternally grateful.

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Trustees’ Annual Report – Charity Commission

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From 1[ST] JANUARY 2023 Period start date to 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 Period end date

Charity name: BURNHAM ON SEA BAPTIST CHURCH

Charity registration number: 1170311

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
itsgoverningdocument		 Para 1.17 The advancement of the Christian faith in
accordance with the principles of the Baptist
Union of Great Britain
Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the activities,
projects or services
identified in the accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 Please see ‘Trustee Report’ (pages 2-7)
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees have regard to the Charity
Commission guidance on Public Benefit and
plan their activities to ensure that they
comply with the guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including Para 1.38 program related investment Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other

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Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society
as a whole.		 Para 1.20 Please see ‘Trustee Report’ (pages 2-7)

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41
Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set		 Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41
Other

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Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period		 Para 1.21 The trustees consider the financial
performance by the charity during the year
to have been satisfactory.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 The trustees consider that our reserves
should be maintained at a level to meet the
normal expenditure of the church for a six-
month period, adjusted to take account of
payments in lieu of notice to paid employees.
This sum is held in a deposit account with
BUGB.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £21290
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially
in deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern		 Para 1.23 N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds
(including any fundraising)		 Para 1.47
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the
principal risks facing the
charity		 Para 1.46
Other

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Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing
document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Trust Deed / Church Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g. unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 C.I.O.
Trustee selection
methods including details
of any constitutional
provisions e.g. election to
post or name of any
person or body entitled to
appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 The power of appointment and removal of
trustees is vested in the members of the
church in accordance with the provisions of
the church constitution. All trustees must be
members of the church.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51
The charity’s
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the charity
works		 Para 1.51
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname Burnham On Sea Baptist Church
Other name the charity
uses		 N/A
Registered charity number 1170311
Charity’s principal address Burnham On Sea Baptist Church
College Street
Burnham On Sea
Somerset
TA8 1AR

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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not
**for whole year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled to
appoint trustee (ifany)
Robert William Howlett Minister (Chair)
Graham Paul Brown Treasurer
Patricia Marion Harris Deacon 01/01/23 – 26/03/23
PhillipJohn Nicol Deacon From 26/03/23
Patricia Jane Silk Deacon
Malcolm David Spratt Deacon From 20/08/23
Sarah Leanne Swift Deacon
Sarah Elizabeth Taylor Deacon
David Williams Deacon

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved.

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
West of England Baptist
Trust CompanyLimited

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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and N/A how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such N/A assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address Adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Other optional information

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Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (e.g.
Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date

Robert William Howlett		 Graham Paul Brown

Minister		 Treasurer
1stMarch 2024
1stMarch 2024

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