Annual General
Meeting Report
2022
(10[th] November 2022)
INDEX
1 Chairman’s Remarks 2 Barking Churches Unite 3 The story since last year 4 The Source 5 Outcomes 6 Future Thoughts
7 How can you support Barking Churches Unite? 8 Prayer Requests 9 Finance Report 10 Donation Form & Gift Aid Form 11 Procedure for Questions
1 Chairman’s Remarks
This section reflects my personal remarks about the year. Again this has been an amazing and yet unprecedented year for Barking and Barking Churches Unite and indeed the UK and world. A year concerning the aftermath of Covid, the Ukraine war, energy & fuel crisis, mortgage and food increases. However, it has been a year where we have engaged even more closely with the Council and this has been demonstrated through regular contact and financial support for the Source. It has been a year we have seen a big increases in guest numbers and the establishment and development of The Source Warehouse.
At the Barking Learning Centre we have continued to be responsible for the Barking’s Food Club (supporting around 110 families a week) and Pit Stop which supports, on average 90-114 guests each day. In November we hope to bring back sit down meals we are calling Pit Stop Diner and a recreation time called Pit Stop Lounge. The shop unit tenancy at Vicarage Field Shopping Centre has also been extended by a further 3 years under the same rent-free conditions. This has allowed us to focus on well-being groups, including, bereavement, mental health, employment and drugs support.
BCU has extended its team engaging Lead contractors for Pit Stop, Barking Food Club, The Source shop & The Source Warehouse. We also have two Support Assistants, one for the Warehouse and the other for BLC; a Wellbeing Worker for the BLC / Shop and a Finance Assistant.
It has also been a year with the return of the Turning Mission across Barking & Dagenham, where people became Christians and received prayers of blessings. United Prayer gatherings have continued alongside street praying, intercessory prayer and leaders prayer meetings.
There has also been a move of God towards bring church leaders and congregations in Dagenham to come together to pray and to develop a cohesive strategy to love the community under the umbrella of Dagenham Christians Together. It became a charity in May and now has established a Dagenham Food Club & Wellbeing Centre at the Dagenham Library called The Church Elm Hub. I have the privilege to be chair of Dagenham Christians Together. I thank God for this move and the future partnership of churches in Barking & Dagenham to work and pray together.
I reaffirm my comments of the 2020 & 2021 AGM remarks in that I believe that God is saying that it is through the united church in society we can love the community back to life for God and bring about restoration and redemption. The pandemic and current crisis has caused the physical doors of the church to close and so the call to ‘Go’ and love the community has increased. I believe the dream of God over our life is that we come alive in His presence within an intimate relationship with Him and through the Holy Spirit we are able to bring life back to every environment, bringing restoration and redemption, spilling contagious hope into a broken and hurting world. The next move of God I believe is not a revival or movement in the church but a movement of the Christians in our towns and communities; God’s kingdom being established in all the spaces that we travel such as our work space and street and establishing them to be Kingdom spaces. The call is to ‘Go’. The call to churches and BCU is to release unstoppable, impassioned Spirit-filled Christians into our communities and outside spaces and to be Kingdom people. We will need to embrace the love the of the 95% of the people outside our church walls, who are in our town and community. When Kingdom People show up they carry His presence, hope and love. As Kingdom People we carry the culture of the Kingdom. We carry the authority of God as sons, daughters & High Priests. We carry the favour, honour
and anointing of God, because the power of the Holy Spirit & presence of God is within us. I believe that God’s heart is to for us to love our community and to release Christians to be shepherds to our town and community. If we are to reach our community, we must reposition ourselves. God is sending us out into the world. Our calling & mission is to carry the Kingdom beyond the church into the heart of the culture.
As Christians we are to transform the culture of the world as by introducing God’s kingdom. We carry the wind of the Holy Spirit bringing release and authority where we go. Kingdom People release the kingdom everywhere, everyday. We must see our involvement and engagement in structures and institutions, work spaces as kingdom work. We must reject the idea that kingdom work mainly takes place in church buildings.
Compassion and mission are inseparable. The spirit of mission is a spirit of mercy. Kingdom people go around doing good, releasing compassion and healing, because God is in them moving them. Kingdom People release blessing, love and peace in their town. Kingdom People become fathers, mothers and shepherds to their town. Kingdom People partner with their town. Every environment & space alive in His presence.
Kingdom culture empowers believers to bring life to every space. We need to dream over our town for God. We need to be Kingdom People. This is our spiritual DNA. We need to Wake Up (Open our eyes and Arise), Prepare (See and Hear God’s heartbeat & Get Ready) and be Mobilised for Action (Shine the Light of Love and the culture of the Kingdom). We need to pray together over our land (2 Chron 7:14). We need to change the culture and spiritual landscape of our community. We need to partner together even more closely as the united body of Christ.
The future of Barking Churches Unite is to facilitate Christians to pray and work together to be Kingdom People in all spaces of our community and helping them to be Kingdom and Prayer Spaces for God. To be culture changers. We are called to ‘Go’, Be witnesses, and make disciples. To ‘Go’ into the world and our community and fulfil the Great Commission. Let us love our community back to God. My prayer is that we make every space in Barking and the UK be a Kingdom Space, filled with the presence of God and the Holy Spirit through being Kingdom People.
Mick Mednick – Chair of Barking Churches Unite
2 Barking Churches Unite (BCU)
Barking Churches Unite is a charitable group of Christians from churches in Barking who are committed to working with churches, Christians and volunteers, praying together for the transformation of our community. BCU was established in 2010 and became a registered charity on 7th June 2017. Our charity number is 1173315. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The Board of trustees includes the following:
| Chair | Mick Mednick (Kings Church) |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Theresa Ibrahim (St Erkenwald Church) |
| Secretary | Liz Mednick (Kings Church) |
| Warehouse | Bill Dear (St Erkenwald Church) |
| Grants/Food | Anne Dear (St Erkenwald Church) |
| Outreach | Michael Taylor (St Erkenwald Church) |
Pastoral Rev Unesu Chindabata (Christ Church) Finance & Policies Sandy Tomlinson
Mission Statement
Barking Churches Unite is a registered charity working to bring about change in Barking through prayer, the relief of poverty and other initiatives that serve the community and express God’s love. We are a group of Christians attending churches across Barking. Barking Churches Unite facilitates contact with the council and other agencies, connecting like-minded Christians in our local area.
Basis of faith
We believe in one God, working as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection and uphold the Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith (www.eauk.org) Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:21), Paul commanded we make an effort to maintain it (Ephesians 4:3) and God the Father promises to bless it (Psalm 133) and bring healing to the community through it. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Organization
Barking Churches Unite is facilitated by a diverse group of Christian Trustees drawn from different church denominations, who include church leaders and Christians, seeking God’s face for Barking. The trustees uphold a five-fold ministry and are led by a co-ordinator and chair of trustees. We facilitate communication between churches and among other agencies. Recently, and as a result of our work in the town the council and external bodies have communicated with us as a point of contact to engage with Christians who want to work in the community. We understand that unity is not uniformity and as such we are churches that have different expressions of our faith, believing that we are here to complement rather than compete with one another, and that together as the Body of Christ in Barking we can fulfill God’s purpose for our lives in our town.
We see a church that will stand together in prayer to see social and spiritual transformation in our community. We see a church that will pray for one another and support one another practically as the need arises and resources allow. We see a church that will rejoice in what one another is doing and where possible promote that. We see a Church that will help facilitate and support the dreams of one another in order to advance God’s kingdom in Barking. We see a church that reaches out and meets the needs of the poor and the community, through joint ministries, initiatives and events.
Any Christian or Barking Church that affirms the preceding statements can join us.
Strategy
1.Prayer
The individual churches are grouped into five zones, loosely based on the council wards. We cover Barking in prayer, through different forms of prayer meetings; church leader meetings, regular prayer walks and corporate prayer meetings in each zone, an intercessors group comprised of people from different churches, and open to all Christians from across the borough.
We are hoping to increase the numbers of intercessors by forming community prayer networks across the borough (see Solar picture below).
Mission and relief of poverty
Through an outpouring of God’s love, The Source (Barking Learning Centre, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre & Riverside Industrial Estate) has been set up in Barking to support those in poverty, who are homeless and helpless to bring about hope, help and restoration in the community.
Through God’s leading we have been involved in setting up and we continue to partner with other initiatives; the Food Bank, Hope 4 Barking Dagenham Night Shelter, The Turning, and Kidz Klub. Due to Covid19 and other issues the Night Shelter has not been operating.
We serve a big God and therefore have a big vision of transformation to Barking. As we encourage and facilitate Christians to be released within their calling through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will see God move in a mighty way
Finance
Finance comes from grants, Barking & Dagenham Council, businesses, personal and churchbased donations and through fund raising. We do not apply for lottery or gambling-related funding.
Governance
BCU has a constitutional document and a number of policies that are statutory and of good practice in its operation. These include Child Protection & Safeguarding, Health and Safety, GDPR, Food & Hygiene rating certificate, Complaints procedures and Service Level agreements.
3 The story in the last 12 months
It has been a busy and challenging year for Barking Churches Unite. It has been another unprecedented year with Post-Covid19 pandemic and the energy, fuel and food crisis. It has also been a year where the charity has developed and grown by God’s grace and favour. Throughout this period the Source has been open for weekdays and has been there to love our town with food, support and comfort.
The Source now operates out of three sites:
-
a shop unit at the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
-
The Barking Learning Centre (a Council building that hosts all the Council services and local library)
-
a warehouse in Riverside Industrial Estate, Thames View (given to us by the Council).
All the sites are provided rent free and the project receives 100% business rate relief from the Council.
Vicarage Field Shopping Centre site is hosting a Wellbeing Centre for community projects and key working activities and the Barking Learning Centre is responsible for food related projects. We have developed an even a closer relationship and partnership with the Council and as result The Source started an emergency food parcel service (delivery where necessary), in response to the Council’s concerns over the deficit of people while awaiting benefits.
We are responsible for the Barking Community Food Club, which is the largest Food Club in the Borough at the BLC.
The Warehouse is now fulfilling a mighty ministry, providing free furniture and white goods being delivered free of charge to those who are in need. We purchased a nearly new van from donations and grants, a real gift of God.
It has been an amazing year in which we have been successful in gaining a number of grants. We now have a new website and we have purchased the Restore My Town software to be used across churches to enable them to support the vulnerable in the community and to refer people into local services by the end of the year.
It has also been a year where two trustees have retired (Eddie Anning & Carlton Smith) and Sandy Tomlinson has joined us. We thank Eddie & Carlton for their support & time with us.
We have also continued our prayer strategy of prayer gatherings through Zoom, prayer intercession (BIN) and street praying. These groups now include a Mahabba group. The Food Club, Pit Stop and Source Warehouse actively offer prayer and as a result have been instrumental in connecting people they have met to a local church. The next move is to develop Kingdom Prayer Spaces in our community and to continue to release people in dreams that God has bestowed upon their heart to fulfil and to sew, grow and release strategy.
4 The Source
The Source is now located in three places. A shop unit in Vicarage Field Shopping Centre (VFSC) is now a Wellbeing Centre, the Barking Learning Centre (BLC) is the location of Pit Stop & The Food Club and the Warehouse is located in Thames Road. It is a ministry which is part of Barking Churches Unite (BCU) that works across the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to supports hundreds of people out of hopelessness, homelessness, disadvantage and isolation. The Source was managed by the late Amanda Grace and now is line-managed by trustees, Mick Mednick (BLC & VFSC) and Bill Dear (Warehouse). All staff are contracted. Kay Thompson is our Lead Contractor for the shop unit / Wellbeing Centre; Gerhard Marais is Pitstop Project Lead Contractor; Rebecca Hutchon is Project Lead Contractor for The Source Barking Food Club; and Steven Fletcher is the Lead Contractor for the Source Warehouse. Shally Mol Jose is our finance Assistant contractor; Joshua Twine joins our team as a Warehouse Support Assistant contractor; Elyse Ali is a Support Assistant contractor at The BLC; and Lorraine Allen as a Wellbeing Support Assistant contractor. A Pit Stop Support Assistant contractor and a Chief Executive Officer is required as soon as we have the funding.
We refuse to give up on anybody and believe that every person can have a bright future. We provide outreach, support and opportunity to help people out of poverty. We have a track record of seeing our visitors move away from life controlling unemployment, homelessness, mental illness, disability, marriage breakdowns, addictions, and therefore breaking the povertycycle and reliance on the benefits system. Over the past year many of our visitors moved out of hopelessness and into hope. We have also seen many of our guests move into accommodation and employment following our support.
Over this past year we have seen an increase in opportunities to share our faith and pray with guests. We have seen several guests so grateful of the help they have had come back to offer their services. Recently one of the staff members had the opportunity of leading one guest into a relationship with Jesus.
Overview of our services at The Source in the past year
BLC
-
Pit Stop – a take away lunch and hot meal throughout the pandemic and refreshments for those people who are homeless or in need, running 5 days a week
-
Food Club
-
GP checks (eg flu jabs)
-
Facilitating our guests being offered and given Covid Vaccine
-
Referral centre to services and organisations
-
Giving prayer support
-
Clothes bank to guests
-
Emergency food parcels
Wellbeing Centre (Vicarage Field Shopping Centre)
-
Community groups including arts and crafts, sewing, computer café, Job club
-
Well-being support for those overcoming bereavement, mental illness, and loneliness
-
Barking Business Chaplaincy – a ministry to provide support to managers and employees of local shops
-
Referral centre to services and organisations
-
Provide vouchers to the local Food Banks
-
Information centre for events and local services
-
Providing a mail box for those without permanent accommodation
-
Completing forms for those whose primary language is not English, or who struggle with literacy
-
Providing telephone advocacy
-
Telephone Help Lines – Rediscover (bereavement & grief), Reconnect (65+ and loneliness/isolation) & Reset (Mental ill health, depression & anxiety)
-
Providing a listening ear over free refreshments
-
Giving prayer support
-
Office to Barking Churches Unite
-
A satellite venue for CGL Drugs Alcohol Services
-
Chair Zumba
Warehouse (Riverside Industrial Park, 27, Thames Road)
-
Providing free furniture, white goods, cutlery, crockery
-
Collecting furniture, white goods, cutlery, crockery free of charge
-
Providing a listening ear
-
Food collection & delivery
Future ministries at the Source
-
Youth Café on a Saturday at the Wellbeing Centre
-
A warm space at the Wellbeing Centre
-
Pit Stop Lounge & Pit Stop Diner at the BLC (sit down provision)
-
Development of Restore My Town and warehouse
Many of the guests visiting The Source have mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder or personality disorders; others have learning disabilities. Many suffer physical health issues particularly mobility difficulties or visual impairment, deafness, cancer, amputated limbs, brain tumor, heart conditions, epilepsy, HIV, diabetes; and many are unemployed, homeless, refugees and elderly.
We believe that every visitor deserves the chance to see their dreams realized, and that it is not enough to provide a hot meal as important as that is, but to get people out of poverty, feeling empowered in their circumstances and off the streets for good, we need to offer something that’s relevant and sustainable.
To this end, we believe the solution is a service that supports those in poverty or in need and to restore broken lives and bring hope to the helpless, employment to the unemployed, homes to the homeless. We aim to provide a service that will provide activities to help those in desperate need and assistance to develop the activities, skills and resources for guests to realize their aspirations and become active and integrated members of their local community.
In other words; each of our services lead to guests being offered the opportunity to change their lives, attend courses, receive a free meal, find help to fill in forms, learning English, support into paid employment, - and that is what will change lives and get those in poverty back into employment, accommodation, and self belief and off the streets for good.
Over the past five years we have been working with those in poverty and need in Barking & Dagenham and in the centre of Barking. We are in an exceptional position to assist those who are in poverty and deprivation and we have a track record of seeing our visitors move away from life controlling addictions/offending and into lives they are able to control and feel proud of. We believe there is no such thing as a hopeless case, and that all deserve the chance to turn their lives around and come off the streets for good. What we have to offer is unique, carries excellent success rates, and is meeting a critical need in Barking.
In the past 12 months we have developed much closer links and regular contacts with the Council and other agencies, in order to work together for the positive outcomes of the guests.
5 Outcomes
BCU provided a healthy and vital linking of local churches to ensure compliance of legal restrictions. BCU has had united prayer meetings on Zoom and in churches, street praying sessions this past year. The BIN has met around 6 times on Zoom. There have been regular leader’s fellowship meetings on Zoom.
The Source keeps a visit register from which we measure our success in how many people we were able to feed, refer on to other support agencies and move on into other sustainable options. We currently refer people for Food Bank, debt advice, council departments, as well as providing free daily lunchtime meals and other activities. Success is just about being there and knowing that we have restored hope to many lives, and enabled them to find a way out of the situation they are in.
For our guests , success in soft outcomes is measured by their personal development, restoring self-esteem and self-belief and basic skills and the hard outcomes are measured through attendance, those gaining employment and accommodation. Our monitoring is supported through a wide range of different measures which include; activity registers, face-to-face repeat conversations and meetings.
Visitors to The Source include those of different nationality and ethnic origin, low incomes, unemployed, homeless, mental health issues, elderly, disabled, single parents, bereaved and those with complex issues. From The Source they receive emotional and practical support and have a location in the marketplace that is sympathetic to those in need and works to resolve their issues. Referrals to agencies are made and people receive support that others are unable to provide.
The Source is often seen as a place of refuge and sanctuary providing hope to the hopeless, demonstrating God’s love and compassion. Within the community The Source is seen as a first stop and last resort and people in need are referred to The Source by the Police, Social Services, Housing Office, Citizens Advice Bureau, Teen Challenge to name a few.
The Source is connected to a number of food agencies providing free food. These include Costco, KFC, Greggs, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Neighbourly and Felix (Fareshare). We have excellent relationships with Vicarage Field Shopping Centre and the BLC and as a result of the work we provide, we receive free rent and business rates.
| Year | Date | Pit Stop | Food Bk Voucher |
Post | Other | Food Parcels |
Total Visits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | January | 1,575 | 38 | 95 | 101 | NA | 1,809 |
| February | 1,723 | 43 | 93 | 80 | NA | 1,939 | |
| March | 1,181 | 7 | 92 | 21 | NA | 1,301 | |
| April | 518 | 5 | 90 | 223 | NA | 836 | |
| May | 767 | 10 | 90 | 187 | 59 | 1,113 | |
| June | 852 | 10 | 87 | 96 | 57 | 1,102 | |
| July | 1,323 | 27 | 85 | 114 | 57 | 1,606 | |
| August | 1,084 | 11 | 85 | 80 | 33 | 1,293 | |
| September | 1,037 | 12 | 84 | 50 | 31 | 1,214 | |
| October | 1,448 | 12 | 84 | 83 | 50 | 1,677 | |
| November | 1,564 | 0 | 86 | 37 | 29 | 1,716 | |
| December | 1,651 | 30 | 86 | 30+59FC | 40 | 1,860 | |
| **Total ** | 14,723 | 205 | **1,057 ** | **1,161 ** | 356 | 17,502 |
| **Year ** | Date | Pit Stop |
Food Bk **Voucher ** |
Food Club | Food Parcels |
Post | Well- Being Groups |
**Other ** | Ware- House |
Total Visits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | January | 1,793 | 14 | (104)496 | 37 | 103 | NA | 20 | NA | 2,463 |
| February | 1,868 | 0 | (96)384 | 24 | 103 | NA | 22 | NA | 2,401 | |
| March | 2,100 | 0 | (118)472 | 16 | 98 | NA | 27 | NA | 2,713 | |
| April | 1,722 | 0 | (76)304 | 25 | 109 | NA | 15 | NA | 2,175 | |
| May | 1,501 | 0 | (84)336 | 11 | 109 | NA | 24 | NA | 1,981 | |
| June | 2,028 | 3 | (99)396 | 13 | 109 | 22 | 26 | NA | 2,597 | |
| July | 1,832 | 1 | (91)364 | 12 | 120 | 23 | 15 | NA | 2,367 | |
| August | 1,922 | 6 | (124)496 | 10 | 66 | 18 | 24 | NA | 2,542 | |
| **September ** | 1,895 | 9 | (79)316 | 11 | 70 | 13 | 37 | NA | 2,351 | |
| October | 1,979 | 2 | (113)452 | 8 | 70 | 15 | 27 | NA | 2,553 | |
| November | 1,830 | 4 | (114)456 | 20 | 80 | 23 | 48 | 11 | 2,472 | |
| December | 1,792 | 4 | (148)592 | 25 | 80 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 2,530 | |
| Total | 22,268 | 43 | (1,256)5,024 | 212 | 1,128 | 130 | 302 | 14 | 30,351 |
The tables shows that our visits have increased and the total number of 2021 visits has been surpassed within the first 9 months of 2022. The forecast is to reach around 42,000 visits by the end of the year. The table indicates the number of visitors attending The Source and how God is amazingly using The Source to reach people in Barking. You will note that visits have increased at The Source to receive free services..
Council have also waived the Business Council Tax, in recognition of the free services we offer on behalf of Barking and Dagenham residents.
| Year | Date | Pit Stop |
Food Bk **Voucher ** |
Food Club |
Food Parcels |
Post | Well- Being Groups |
Enquiries/ Keyworking |
Ware- House |
Total Visits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January | 1,802 | 6 | (107) 428 |
12 | 80 | 24(40) | 23 | 6 | 2,421 |
| February | 2,036 | 3 | (166) 664 |
20 | 80 | 29(40) | 33 | 8 | 2,913 | |
| March | 1,850 | 9 | (303) 1,212 |
25 | 80 | 22(40) | 48 | 29 | 3,315 | |
| April | 1,805 | 7 | (208) 833 |
12 | 80 | 28(40) | 29 | 27 | 2,861 | |
| May | 1,997 | 7 | (270) 1,080 |
18 | 80 | 23(40) | 52 | 51 | 3,348 | |
| June | 1,990 | 5 | (360) 1,440 |
20 | 89 | 36(40) | 45 | 51 | 3,716 | |
| July | 2,169 | 8 | (400) 1,600 |
21 | 89 | 22(40) | 51 | 65 | 4,065 | |
| August | 2,248 | 2 | (389) 1,556 |
0 | 139 | 28 (40) |
42 | 58 | 4,113 | |
| September | 1,985 | 4 | (354) 1,416 |
0 | 139 | 25 (40) |
43 | 116 | 3,768 | |
| Total | 17,882 | 51 | (2,557) 10,229 |
128 | 856 |
(360) 597 |
366 |
411 | 30,520 |
The Source hosted at Easter and Christmas an outside prayer station for visitors to the shopping centre to write their prayer requests and receive prayer. Also, we had a carol service in Vicarage Field Shopping Centre.
Impact Over the past year the Source has seen people overcome extreme adversity and circumstance to go onto achieve incredible personal success. We refuse to give up on anybody and believe that every visitor / rough sleeper can have a bright future. We have seen guests become champions of the community. We believe in building people into a community where they feel safe and are resourced to contribute. We believe that we all have a role to play and that together we can end homelessness - The impact of our services is lives changed; more people who are without hope to regain their hope, lives that are broken to be restored, more homeless people off the streets, and into employment, which in turn ends the cycle of poverty and homelessness and has a positive effect on the community!
6 Future Thoughts
Forthcoming plans affecting BCU
-
The borough of Barking & Dagenham is facing over £65 million of cuts (before Covid19) in the next four years and looking to offload many of its services to the voluntary sector. The leader of the council has publicly stated that homelessness is one of its biggest concerns and acknowledged the significant contribution already made by BCU in addressing it.
-
Discussions are underway to explore by the council the data for homelessness and rough sleepers
-
To work with the Council and support our community through the energy and food crisis.
-
Vicarage Field Shopping Centre is due to close between 2024-25; to be demolished and rebuilt similar to the design of Westfield, Stratford. We have a 3 year tenancy.
-
The BLC have offered BCU additional space in the event of the the closure of Vicarage Field Shopping Centre.
-
Working with Dagenham Christians Together
-
The Turning
BCU proposed developments and activities
-
Further the Kingdom of God in Barking
-
Maintain and extend the ministry of the Source shop unit
-
Develop the warehouse project in the increase in collection and delivery of furniture & white goods to those in poverty
-
Work with other places to help them model the BCU model
-
Develop Restore My Town software in locations around the borough
-
Continue and extend the prayer strategy adopted
-
Engage more closely with the Council
-
Engage and partner with local businesses
-
Work more closely to increase church unity & adoption of churches in BCU
-
Develop discipleship spaces at BLC locations
-
Support Dagenham Christian Together in developing The Church Elm Hub at Dagenham Library
7 How can YOU support Barking Churches Unite?
1 Praying
-Attending the united prayer & street praying events -Using the Prayer Diary daily at home -Praying for the Source and community ministries -Praying for church unity and each church -Joining the BIN (Barking Intercessors Network) -Joining different BCU prayer networks -Encouraging your Church to pray for BCU and support its ministries -Church leaders to join Leaders Network -More workers and volunteers -Funding
2 Volunteering
-Helping at the Source for a 3-4 hour session a week -Picking up food from retail shops / supermarkets
-Attending the Christmas Tree and Easter Garden witnesses (after Covid19) -Attending the BCU at events
-
-Joining the BCU WhatsApp Information group
-
-Offering your talent to create or contribute to a community well-being group
3 Join
-Join the Well-Being groups at The Source, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre -Join us in united prayer & street praying -Joining the BCU WhatsApp Information group
4 Donating
Supporting the Source by
£15 provides additional refreshments for a week
£20 Provides tea, coffee and milk for a week
-
£50 Provides heating costs for a month
-
£100 Provides a part-time worker costs for a week
-Non-Perishable food
-
-Toiletries
-
-Individual donations to sustain the work on a regular basis
-
-Church collections (ie Harvest festival, Christmas donation)
-Organising fund raising events
-Ask your employers to sponsor BCU
-Clothes
- -Furniture & White Goods
8 Prayer Requests
-
1 For God to pour out His Holy Spirit on staff, guests and volunteers of those involved at the Source
-
2 For guidance and wisdom for the trustees in the leading of BCU
-
3 Volunteers to support the Source & The Source Warehouse
-
4 Christians to join the well-being groups
-
5 Safety of the team and guests.
-
6 For God’s love, compassion and presence to be evident in all that BCU does
-
7 To use the activities of BCU to bring people to salvation and a deeper walk with God
-
8 For greater unity amongst the church in praying and working together
-
9 For greater links between agencies and the Council
-
10 For more support from the churches and individual Christians in Barking
-
11 For our broken community of Barking & Dagenham
9 Financial Report
BCU Accounts Summary Jan 2017 to Dec 2021 and Budget for Jan 2022 – Dec 2022
| Expenditure | Actual Jan - Dec 2017 |
Actual Jan - Dec 2018 |
Actual Jan - Dec 2019 |
Actual Jan - Dec 2020 |
Actual Jan - Dec 2021 |
Estimate Jan - Dec 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Providers | 15,869 | 27,081 | 31,143 | 47,410 | 62,478 | 79,221 |
| Key Worker | 0 | 0 | 1,620 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| School Uniforms | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,551 |
| Telephone | 856 | 770 | 780 | 1,054 | 974 | 734 |
| Heating & Light | 1,160 | 1,891 | 1,860 | 656 | 520 | 968 |
| Catering & Hospitality | 979 | 2,347 | 2,409 | 3,851 | 3,717 | 8,358 |
| Cleaning | 162 | 1,278 | 1,021 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Repairs and Maintenance | 824 | 894 | 2,504 | 1,476 | 1,469 | 2,091 |
| Insurance | 401 | 508 | 500 | 522 | 704 | 953 |
| Legal | 100 | 100 | 100 | 125 | ||
| ICT & Computer Expenses | 860 | 206 | 98 | 1,336 | 350 | 974 |
| Peaced Together | 358 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H4BD & Turning & DCT Donations | 300 | 300 | 446 | 300 | 0 | 20,250 |
| Misc –Postage, Travel, Training, Printing & Stationery |
56 | 298 | 370 | 288 | 144 | 40 |
| Gift Cards & Rewards | 400 | 2,618 | 1,521 | 792 | ||
| Mental Health | 240 | 358 | 324 | |||
| Clothing& Toiletries | 217 | 2,378 | 3,247 | |||
| Micah Supported Living | 1,190 | 35 | ||||
| Warehouse | 826 | 63,543 | ||||
| Total Expenditure | 21,825 35,601 43,250 60,070 76,730 183,207 |
|||||
| Income | ||||||
| Peaced Together | 360 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gift Aid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grants | 8,300 | 18,600 | 22,049 | 97,067 | 61,075 | 163,950 |
| Donations – Personal | 7,588 | 14,492 | 17,120 | 14,111 | 13,987 | 12,415 |
| Donations – Church | 2,535 | 4,813 | 5,282 | 6,457 | 6,966 | 4,935 |
| Donations – Business | 183 | |||||
| Other - MSL + Telephone | 40 | 400 | 7,260 | 7,196 | ||
| Total Income Expenditure over Income |
18,783 38,056 44,674 118,036 89,288 188,496 |
|||||
| -3,043 2,454 1,424 57,966 12,557 5,290 |
Independent Examiner
BCU appointed Leila Satar as the Independent Examiner (IE) of BCU accounts from 2019. She is a great supporter of the work of Barking Churches Unite, particularly we are grateful to her for all her work reviewing the accounts resulting in a successful 2021 IE report.
In 2021, Grants were gratefully received from
| Grant Body | Award Name | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arnold Clark | Arnold Clark CommunityFund | £1,000 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | 4 Local Restrictions Support Grants | £10,754 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Business Rates 1 | £634 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Business Rates 2 | £1,334 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Business Rates 3 | £4,000 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Business Rates 4 | £2,001 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Business Rates 5 | £762 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Christmas Cheer | £2,000 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Connect | £6,000 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | Household Support Fund | £5,000 |
| Barking& Dagenham Council | NCIL | £10,000 |
| DWF Foundation | DWF Grant | £500 |
| Garfield Weston Foundation | Garfield Weston Grant | £15,000 |
| Homeless Heroes | Homeless Heroes Aid | £1,790 |
| Outcome It S | Outcome It S Grant Van | £300 |
| Total | £61,075 |
We are extremely grateful to all the grant making bodies above for their favour towards Barking Churches Unite, its guests, Service Providers, Volunteers, the community of Barking and its environs and recognise God’s hand in keeping us abundantly ready for more work in this area.
10 Donation Form & Gift Aid Form
Barking Churches Unite
The SOURCE. 37A, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre. Barking, Essex, IG118DH Telephone: 020 8594 2404
Email: michael.mednick@barkingchurchesunite.org
Charity No: 1173315
STANDING ORDER MANDATE FORM
Please return this form to your Bank and inform BCU / SOURCE of your decision
Please debit the account of:
Name: Bank: Branch: Full address: Account Name: Account Number: Sort code: Please credit the account of: Bank: CAF Account Name: Barking Churches Unite Account Number: 00035231 Sort code: 40-52-40 The Sum of £ Amount in words Commencing date From To Last Payment £ Amount in words Frequency Weekly Monthly
Signature: Date:
11 Procedures for Questions
If after reading the report, you have any questions, please complete the slip below & email them back to the Source with AGM in the subject box by 5[th] November (Michael.mednick@barkingchurchesunite.org)This will give time for a reply. You can provide a general comment if you wish. Questions not submitted before the meeting will be answered after the Annual General Meeting by email.
RESPONSE SLIP
Name ____ Church ____
Question
Barking Churches Unite FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021
Barklng Churches Unlto Balanco Shoot as at 31st Dec 2021 2021 2020 Cuffont Assots Cash in Hand and at Bank 72,699 Total A•sots 84,990 Llabllltles Duo wfthln one year Creditors 183 450 Total Llabllltles 183 450 Not Assots (Assets loss Llabllttl••) Capltal and Res•rvo• Re8epies broughl forward Surplusl{Defjctt) 72.249 12.557 14.283 57.966 Total Equlty The comparabb figures for 2020 are for wrformalw)n and do not form part of these accounts The above accounts were approved by 8arkng Churches Untte Board on311012022 Theresa Ibrahlm Treasurff chael Mednlck Ch•rman 2,1i.le Pyl
Barklng Churches Unlte Income and Expendlturn statoml for tho year onded 31st Dewnber 2021 Ir 89288 118.036 Serv8 ProVer8 L&Jht and Heat Caterkng & Hospltality mah Supportwj LN¥ig T8phOne Rgpalrs and Malntenance ICT Insuranc8 Legal and Professk)nal Postag8, Prlnung, Statkjnery, Traknkng, Travel Grf( Cards & Rewards DonatKsns DCT & N*Jht Shelter Mental Healih War8hous8 Ck)thlng, Shogs & Tol8trb8 62.478 520 3,717 1.1 974 1.469 350 704 47.410 656 3.851 1.054 1,476 1,336 1,521 2.618 3LKI 240 2,378 217 176,730) 160,0701 Surpiu81(DrfKIt) 12,557 57,966 P4e2
Independent Examlner's Report to Barking chUrd Unlte This report on the financial ststements of Barking Churches Unite IBCUlfor the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages l and 2, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2fA16 {'the Re8ulations'l and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993 I'the Act). Respectlve responslbllltles of the Board of Barking Churches Unlte and Exarnlner As members of Barking Churches Unite. you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s.43121 of the Art does not apply. It is my responsibility to 155ue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations. Basls of thls report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under 5.431bl of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance 2LX)6 edition. That examination include5 a review of the accounting records kept by BCU and a comparison of the accounts with those record5. It a150 Includes considerin8 any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seekln8 explanatlons from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be requlred In an audit, and consequentty, I do not express on the view 8iven by the accounts. Inde ndent examlner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which glves me reasonable cause to believe that in any malerial respect the requlrements to keep accountlng records in accordance wlth s.41 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements in accordance wlth atcounting records and comply with the requlrements of the Art and Re8ulatlons have not been met; or 121 to whlch, In my opinlon, attentlon should be drawn In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. L Satar, FCCA File Barking Chur¢hes Unite YE 3112 21 IndExm vl Page Date 2811012022 16:38
Barking Churches Unite FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2021
Barklng Churches Unlto Balanco Shoot as at 31st Dec 2021 2021 2020 Cuffont Assots Cash in Hand and at Bank 72,699 Total A•sots 84,990 Llabllltles Duo wfthln one year Creditors 183 450 Total Llabllltles 183 450 Not Assots (Assets loss Llabllttl••) Capltal and Res•rvo• Re8epies broughl forward Surplusl{Defjctt) 72.249 12.557 14.283 57.966 Total Equlty The comparabb figures for 2020 are for wrformalw)n and do not form part of these accounts The above accounts were approved by 8arkng Churches Untte Board on311012022 Theresa Ibrahlm Treasurff chael Mednlck Ch•rman 2,1i.le Pyl
Barklng Churches Unlte Income and Expendlturn statoml for tho year onded 31st Dewnber 2021 Ir 89288 118.036 Serv8 ProVer8 L&Jht and Heat Caterkng & Hospltality mah Supportwj LN¥ig T8phOne Rgpalrs and Malntenance ICT Insuranc8 Legal and Professk)nal Postag8, Prlnung, Statkjnery, Traknkng, Travel Grf( Cards & Rewards DonatKsns DCT & N*Jht Shelter Mental Healih War8hous8 Ck)thlng, Shogs & Tol8trb8 62.478 520 3,717 1.1 974 1.469 350 704 47.410 656 3.851 1.054 1,476 1,336 1,521 2.618 3LKI 240 2,378 217 176,730) 160,0701 Surpiu81(DrfKIt) 12,557 57,966 P4e2
Independent Examlner's Report to Barking chUrd Unlte This report on the financial ststements of Barking Churches Unite IBCUlfor the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages l and 2, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2fA16 {'the Re8ulations'l and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993 I'the Act). Respectlve responslbllltles of the Board of Barking Churches Unlte and Exarnlner As members of Barking Churches Unite. you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s.43121 of the Art does not apply. It is my responsibility to 155ue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations. Basls of thls report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under 5.431bl of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance 2LX)6 edition. That examination include5 a review of the accounting records kept by BCU and a comparison of the accounts with those record5. It a150 Includes considerin8 any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seekln8 explanatlons from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be requlred In an audit, and consequentty, I do not express on the view 8iven by the accounts. Inde ndent examlner's statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which glves me reasonable cause to believe that in any malerial respect the requlrements to keep accountlng records in accordance wlth s.41 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements in accordance wlth atcounting records and comply with the requlrements of the Art and Re8ulatlons have not been met; or 121 to whlch, In my opinlon, attentlon should be drawn In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. L Satar, FCCA File Barking Chur¢hes Unite YE 3112 21 IndExm vl Page Date 2811012022 16:38