## **Great Harwood Christian Fellowship Annual Report 2021 – (Covering Financial Year April 2020 March 2021) Charity Registration Number: 1174952** ## **Date of Annual General Meeting : Thursday 27[th] May 2021** ## **Aim and Purposes** The aim and purposes of the Church are: - The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Great Harwood and the surrounding neighbourhood; and - Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life; - Provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook. ## **Objectives and Activities** GHCF promotes the Christian faith by providing a weekly programme of events which are open to everyone and provided free of charge. In particular we try and support people in their Christian faith by providing: - Times of Worship and Prayer where the gospel message is clearly shared and believers are built up and strengthened in their faith. - Pastoral care for those who need support. - Information about Missionary and Outreach work – sharing the Christian gospel with others, both at home and overseas. - Mercy ministries – helping to provide for those in need. In order to provide these services, it is important that we maintain our property on commercial Road, Great Harwood in accordance with all appropriate guidelines. ## **Achievements and Performance during 2020‐2021** During normal times we aim to provide a rich blend of worship services, children’s and youth work alongside dedications, baptisms and funerals. We also aim to provide support for local food banks, as well as mission and evangelism work in the UK and overseas. However, the Covid 19 pandemic has seriously restricted the range of our ministries. ## **Worship Services** Once we were able to re‐open in a Covid 19 secure manner, we reduced our physical meetings in the building to just one Sunday morning a week. This service involved listening to worship songs, prayer and a sermon. All children’s and youth work ceased apart from the occasional additional service that was run for families. The video technology provided by Zoom was widely used. Initially for leaders meetings, then an after church fellowship, where people could freely chat after the Sunday morning ‘worship at home’ online worship service. It was also utilised for prayer meetings and Bible studies during the week. Another useful piece of technology was a WhatsApp group that allowed news and prayer requests to be quickly spread around the congregation. Those who struggled with technology were regularly contacted by phone and when needed, sermon manuscripts were delivered to their homes. ## **Dedication, Baptisms + Funerals** Despite having several babies born in the congregation, we did not perform any dedication services and we did not have any baptismal services either. However, we did hold several funeral services; one of these was conducted within the church building while the others were held at Accrington or Blackburn Crematoriums. ## **Mission and Evangelism** Helping and supporting other people is a central part of the Christian faith. As a church, we seek to provide help and support to local, national and international Christian initiatives. Our local outreach team was seriously limited in its ability to offer free literature here in Great Harwood. But, we were able to continue to support a wide range of national and international ministries financially. While the church was open it was used as a place where donations for the local food bank could be received. ## **Relationships with Other Churches** As an Independent Evangelical Church, we are not a part of a denomination, but this does not mean we operate in isolation. We are affiliated with the North West Partnership (NWP), a network of like‐ minded churches that operate in this area. The NWP runs an annual conference, minister’s conferences and training days which we are able to take part in. Our Church minister is a member of a national network, the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and he also meets up with other local ministers both in Great Harwood and the surrounding areas. These links enable communication and cooperation to exist between us and the wider Christian family. ## **Volunteers** GHCF would not be able to operate without its army of volunteers who keep the building clean and tidy, perform basic maintenance and decorating, run children’s and youth meetings, play musical instruments, operate the AV system, prepare refreshments, welcome people into the church, serve as Elders and Deacons and help out in a thousand other ways. ## **Future Plans** For the future, GHCF will continue to seek to promote the Christian faith in and around Great Harwood through the weekly provision of Church services and opportunities for people to learn more about the Bible. ## **Public Benefit Statement** When planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We aim to enable people to live out their faith as part of our community through worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Provision of pastoral care and Missionary and Outreach work. ## **Structure, governance and management** Great Harwood Christian Fellowship is an Independent Church and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The Fellowship adopts the FIEC statement of faith. Its governing document (Constitution) and its Church Handbook for members, were approved at an Annual General Meeting of the membership on 9[th] May 2017 The Trustees meet as a Leadership Team on a monthly basis to discuss all matters relating to the running of the Fellowship, including worship, outreach, finance and building maintenance. The Elders meet with the Pastor also on a monthly basis to discuss the direction of worship, teaching, Bible Study meetings etc. and report to the full Leadership Team at their monthly meetings. ## **Policy Documents** In addition to the Constitution Document, Great Harwood Christian Fellowship has the following policies in place to ensure the health, safety and protection of church members: Fire, Health and Safety Management Data Protection Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The church undertakes regular reviews of each of these policies and carries out audits and training as required by named individuals. ## **Administrative Information** The Principal address of the charity is 15 Coleridge Place, Great Harwood BB6 7JY The Trustees are as follows: Matthew Clay – Pastor Neil Collier – Elder Kathryn Ashworth – Deacon, Treasurer Shirley Collier – Deacon, Secretary Jennifer Blackmore – Deacon Gil Ratcliffe – Deacon ## **Policy on Reserves** The Fellowship holds a sum of money in a Reserve Account for use in exceptional circumstances. The current level of these funds (at 31[st] March 2021 is £7150.91) The funds are not restricted or specifically designated for certain uses. The Trustees authorise any use of these funds when requested by the Treasurer. # **‐ – Treasurers Report and Financial Statement April 2020 March 2021:** stla Cash in Bank Alc as at 31.3.20 Cash in Reserve Alc as at 31.320 3377.09 7149.09 10526.18 Offerlngs Interegt on Reserve Alc EDF Refunds (Gas & Electrlc) Donatlon for Nepal Campus Church Transferred from Reserve Alc Donation 44169.40 1.82 496.38 150.00 1000.00 205.00 22 56548.78 Tlthe (see attached Salary - Pastor Expenses - Pastor Revenue & Customs Close Backhouse Standard Llfe BT Group Good News Fellowshlp EDF - Gas EDF - Electric Water Plus Amazon Pennine Flre & Salety Edward Connor Solicitors Andrew Feeley Transferred back to Reserve Al¢ Mlscellaneous Involces 4400.00 22210.48 452.76 5049.52 2456.52 2392.50 431.24 219.75 1224.00 738.00 874.97 417.24 186.72 1420.08 690.00 1000.00 2360.18 10024.82 Cash Irb Bank as at 31.321 Cash In Reserve AJC as at 31.3.21 2873.91 7150.91 10024 Accounts found to be true and correct. c<￿￿.<.. 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