2021-03-31-accounts - Abbey Baptist Church

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
	1st	April	2020		31st	March	2021
From				To

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1176927

Abbey Baptist Church

Charity's principal address Abbey Baptist Church Checker Walk Abingdon Postcode OX14 3JB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Dr Graeme Stonell
	Iain Baker
	John Lipp	Chair of trustees
	Elizabeth Rolfe
	Peter Akrill
	Clive Bowsher
	Stephen Mayo

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

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

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Constitution

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

CIO

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

Elected by membership

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

In addition to our constitution, we make use of our church handbook to guide our practice in the everyday running of our affairs.

Elders direct the day to day operations of the church. All work conducted by the church is done under their leadership. The elders are also trustees of the charity and are joined by additional trustees. All elders and trustees are selected by the members in accordance with our church handbook.

We are affiliated to two external organisations (The Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches). The nature of these affiliations is mutually supporting and both bodies are non-governing of our church’s affairs.
As a long standing, stable church there are few operational risks. By offering services to vulnerable people there are risks associated to appointing volunteers/workers. These are managed through our Safeguarding Policy.

Section C Objectives and activities

The purposes of the Church are:

the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis
of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Abingdon and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the Church in general meeting, 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 Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

This year has seen many changes in order to continue fulfilling our purposes during the pandemic and associated restrictions on meeting. Many of our activities were initially moved full on-line where possible, and support provided to help all of our beneficiaries through the transition. This included our Sunday worship services and our midweek meetings. Most of our seniors meetings and youth work ceased, although some aspects of those works were maintained through online gatherings. As the opportunities for people to meet were very restricted, we commenced some additional prayer opportunities online. Our members also found ways to continue to provide benefit to Summary of the main the wider community through channels such as deepening and activities undertaken for the enriching contact with neighbours, running and supporting online public benefit in relation to quizzes, starting an online baking club, arranging online meals these objects (include within and setting up a free book and literature stall outside our chapel this section the statutory building. declaration that trustees have As lockdown restrictions eased a little in late 2020 and again in spring had regard to the guidance 2021, some restricted in-person gatherings recommenced. Online issued by the Charity provision continued to be offered for those who needed to stay at home Commission on public for shielding, self-isolation or preferential reasons. benefit)

The trustees are satisfied that these activities are conducted in line with the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

We are not involved in awarding grants or in investing (except for holding reserves in an interest paying bank account).

All of our work is supported and enabled by volunteers from within our membership. The Trustees thank the members of the church who conduct all of these activities on a voluntary basis.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The continual healthy level of interest in our meetings and activities by a mixture of members, families of members and non-members is regarded as an achievement. The online provision of our main worship activities has benefited not only our local supporters/beneficiaries, but also a much more geographically dispersed group of beneficiaries.

We commenced employment of a pastor-in-training. This has provided an additional part time employee, who has been a great help in the period of greater pastoral need and greater reliance on IT provision brought on by the pandemic. It has also provided our minister with the opportunity to help train and prepare another for future pastoral ministry.

Section E Financial review

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Brief statement of the

charity’s policy on reserves

We seek to maintain reserves of around 3-6 months of operating costs. These are held in order to cushion the effect of any unplanned short term drop in income or increase in expenditure.

Details of any funds materially

in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Our principal sources of funding are donations and income from the renting of property. The former have been generously gifted by members and supporters without any explicit fundraising initiatives. A proportion of the pastor in training funding has been provided by grants from the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) and the Particular Baptist fund. We record our thanks to those organisations for their kind support.

Our largest item of expenditure has been for the ministry of the church. This has funded the various activities and provided a salary for the staff who support and prepare every volunteer for their work.

A summary of our examined accounts is provided in Section F.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Section F Other optional information

Financial Report for the year ending 31[st] March 2021

Income and Expenditure	Notes	2019/20	2020/21
Income
Donations to the church		63,873	86,433
Income fromproperties		10,440	10,440
Bank interest and other income		4,310	19
Gifts for support of second worker		14,096	0
Donations for specificpurposes		1,191	800
Grants forpastor in training post		0	10,845
Total income		93,910	108,537
Designatedgiving paid out	2	1,191	800
Income for Church use		92,719	107,737

Expenditure
Ministryof the Church	3	49,130	48,787
Gifts made bythe Church	2	14,623	14,726
Church maintenance		11,346	11,761
Properties maintenance		12,212	3,205
Total Expenditure		87,311	78,479

Net income(expenditure)		5,408	29,258

Balance Sheet	Notes	2019/20	2020/21
Fixed Assets
Church buildings andproperties	4	860,000	860,000
Current Assets
Debtors		7,569	3,545
Cash at bank and in hand		25,613	58,081
Total current assets		33,182	61,626
Creditors		565	0
Total Assets less liabilities		892,617	921,626

Represented by
Unrestricted funds		32,617	61,626
Restricted funds
Capital funds		860,000	860,000

Funds at end ofyear		892,617	921,626

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 7,980 Pilgrim Homes 2,520 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,500 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 221 Total Giving 14,726 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Other compassion ministry 200 Total 800 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 38,475 41,657 Outreach and Church Activities 2,176 800 Other 8,479 6,330 Total 49,130 48,787 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Brought forward 770,000 860,0000 Revaluation in theyear 90,000 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000	Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 7,980 Pilgrim Homes 2,520 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,500 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 221 Total Giving 14,726 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Other compassion ministry 200 Total 800 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 38,475 41,657 Outreach and Church Activities 2,176 800 Other 8,479 6,330 Total 49,130 48,787 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Brought forward 770,000 860,0000 Revaluation in theyear 90,000 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000	Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 7,980 Pilgrim Homes 2,520 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,500 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 221 Total Giving 14,726 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Other compassion ministry 200 Total 800 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 38,475 41,657 Outreach and Church Activities 2,176 800 Other 8,479 6,330 Total 49,130 48,787 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Brought forward 770,000 860,0000 Revaluation in theyear 90,000 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000	Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 7,980 Pilgrim Homes 2,520 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,500 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 221 Total Giving 14,726 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Other compassion ministry 200 Total 800 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 38,475 41,657 Outreach and Church Activities 2,176 800 Other 8,479 6,330 Total 49,130 48,787 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2019/20(£) 2020/21(£) Brought forward 770,000 860,0000 Revaluation in theyear 90,000 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000
Churchgifts			£
Grace Baptist Mission			7,980
Pilgrim Homes			2,520
AGBC(SE)Home Mission			480
Mission work in Poland			1,500
Mission work in Italy			1,525
Other Missions			500
Gifts to members			221
Total Giving			14,726

Designatedgiving			£
Grace Baptist Mission			600
Other compassion ministry			200
Total			800
3. The Ministry of the Church
Expenditure on ministry	2019/20	(£)	2020/21(£)
Elders and visitingspeakers	38,475		41,657
Outreach and Church Activities	2,176		800
Other	8,479		6,330
Total	49,130		48,787
4. Church Buildings and Properties
	2019/20(£)		2020/21(£)
Brought forward	770,000		860,0000
Revaluation in theyear	90,000		0
Balance carried forward	860,000		860,000

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Recoverable Signature Signature(s) Recoverable Signature X X John Lipp Peter Akrill Chair Trustee Signed by: b31bb841-9fbb-45f8-ac8d-216fd1386528 Signed by: Peter Akrill Signature Full name(s) John David Lipp Peter Mark Akrill Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair Trustee etc) Date 3-Jan-2022

Trustees’ Annual Report

Dec 2021

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trusteesl members of Abbey Baptist Church On accounts for the year ended 3151 March 2021 Charity no lif any) 1176927 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my èxamination of the accounts of the above charity l.the Trust-) for the year ended Responsibllities and basis As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charilies Act 2011 ("the Acy,). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515}(b) of the Act. Independent examinerfs I have completed my examination. I confimi that no materlal matters have statement come to my attention in connection with the examination {olher than that disclosed below") which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect= the accounting r8cords were nol k8Pt 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 'lru8 and fairf 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: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: I3 13L&fyJ SRoLJf tKofbJ&- Kl IER Oct 2018