## **ANNUAL REPORT       i Calendar Year 2022      I** 

**Name of Charity –** Honiton Family Church 

**Registered Charity Number –** 1181655 

**Registered Address –** High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1LW 

**Trustees –** The following individuals served as charity trustees between 1st Jan 2022 and 31 Dec 2022: 

- Mr Tim Judson (Pastor) 

- Mr Matthew Clapp (Treasurer) 

- Mrs Serena Brooks (Deacon from 1[st] January to 7[th] April) 

- Mr James Tupper (Deacon from 1[st] January – 17[th] March) 

- Mr Richard Lucas (Deacon) 

- Mrs Helen Charters (Deacon) 

**Property Trustees –** Baptist Union Corporation Ltd Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8RT 

**Bankers –** 

## **General Account:** 

Lloyds 82 High Street Honiton EX14 1JJ 

**Restricted Account:** Lloyds 82 High Street Honiton EX14 1JJ 

**Independent Examiner –** Chloe Reed 



## **Organisational Structure and Decision-Making Processes –** 

Honiton Family Church (HFC) is an unincorporated association with Managing (Charity) Trustees appointed by a meeting of Members. Members of the church are accepted in accordance with the constitution which allows open membership so that persons who have not been baptised in the manner described in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle may at the discretion of the members’ meeting be accepted for membership based on their own public profession of faith. All members are encouraged to take part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. 

Members meetings take place six times a year and have responsibility for the overall policy of the church. Additional meetings are held as required. In accordance with the constitution, the members appoint Trustees, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the members), are collectively known as the Diaconate. The Diaconate have overall responsibility for ensuring the successful day to day running of the church’s work and witness, as well as the financial and legal aspects of the charity. 

Relevant matters may be submitted to the members meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in members meetings for further consideration by the Trustees. HFC is governed by a church constitution. Though the constitution permits decisions to be made at church meetings by appropriate majorities, the church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible. 

2022 was another exciting and challenging year for the church. Earlier on in the year, the church started to deplete in numbers. This was due to a number of factors, some unknown. However, a significant problem was that many children and young families stopped coming to the church. A decision had been made to try and accommodate all ages on a Sunday, due to the lack of volunteering for this ministry. After Easter, some parents began to take their children out informally, which instigated a sense within the fellowship to reinvigorate our Sunday morning children’s work. This formally began in September and the church has gone from strength to strength since then. Before that, the summer weeks were spent having “fellowship meals” where food was prepared to facilitate a renewal in people’s relationships, interaction, and a sense of community, having spent so long wrestling with the anxiety and fall out of COVID-19. 

Various community-based groups have been using our building space in different capacities, and our opportunities to be involved in the wider community have increased. It has been noted that the church building is in 



need of some significant remedial repairs and our part-time administrators, trustees, and skilled volunteers have been in dialogue regarding how to address these. 

The church has sought to establish deeper relationships with the wider community. One of the highlights of the year was celebrating our Carols by Candlelight service, which involved participation from the local mayor, the director of Honiton Food Save and the CEO of Parental Minds. This was an encouraging testament to the good standing our church has amongst the wider community. 

As intimated above, has paid two part-time staff this year, who have taken a significant load off the trustees in managing the running of the church. The hours they are paid are limited, and it is a challenge ensuring that both are not overworking, given their other commitments. Nevertheless, Tim and the trustees have been extremely grateful for the support given in this area. 

## **Objectives –** 

HFC is a Baptist Church and is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (Baptists Together). HFC is governed by a church constitution that is based on “20th March 2008 Approved Governing Document for BUGB churches.” This document states that the principal purpose of our charity is “the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.” HFC occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Trust Corporation on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above objective. 

As Honiton Family Church are oriented by a vision to “Seek God’s kingdom in Devon as in heaven”. This means that: 

- Jesus Christ is the origin, means, and goal of all that we are and do. 

- We are family-friendly, committed to everyone; both young and old, rich and poor etc. 

- We seek to be grounded, imaginative and relational in our life together. 

- We aim to embody Christ both inside the church, and within the town and wider area. 

We aim to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as the Living Lord. Moreover, we aim to be a church that welcomes people of all types and experiences into our church family confident in the transforming power of Jesus in all our lives. In order to achieve this, HFC provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the wider community. HFC is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities. 



Many of these activities run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives. 

## **Regular Activities –** 

**Sunday Services:** As stated above, 2022 involved some flux in our attendance and activity. This was due to a number of factors, some unknown. However, a significant problem was that many children and young families stopped coming to the church. A decision had been made to try and accommodate all ages on a Sunday, due to the lack of volunteering for this ministry. After Easter, some parents began to take their children out informally, which instigated a sense within the fellowship to reinvigorate our Sunday morning children’s work. This formally began in September and the church has gone from strength to strength since then. Before that, the summer weeks were spent having “fellowship meals” where food was prepared to facilitate a renewal in people’s relationships, interaction, and a sense of community, having spent so long wrestling with the anxiety and fall out of COVID-19. We aim for our services to be accessible to seekers as well as both new and mature Christians by having a simple and fluid service structure. A number of people have joined us, particularly since September, and we are delighted that non-, new and experienced Christians are finding our community helpful for their spiritual growth. 

**Warm hub:** Inspired by a national initiative, some volunteers in our church arranged a warm hub space on Fridays during the winter. This was an opportunity for people to come and be “warm” amidst the cost of living going up. A few people came along to this, many from beyond the church community itself, and enjoyed activities, refreshments, as well as the chance to build relationships. We hope to continue this when the new year comes around until the weather gets warmer. 

**Little Stars Parent and Toddler Group:** Little Stars runs every week during term time and is attended by, on average, twenty 0–5-year-olds and their carers. It has been encouraging to regularly see new parents attending. Little Stars is a great access point into church, and it is a great way for us to build relationships with our wider community. We have been able to invite the families in attendance to other events including services and family and community events. We have themes, parties, and graduations and at the end of the summer term we hold a “graduation ceremony” during our Sunday Service for those starting school. Little Stars began meeting together physically again in 2022 and has recovered well from the separation. Volunteers vary in number at times, but there continues to be a hugely committed core that make this happen. 



**Life Groups:** HFC runs four life groups. These groups encourage social fellowship and growth of faith and discipleship. Although our life groups are attended mainly by church members, they are open to anyone who would like to contact a group and learn more about the Christian faith. In the last year the groups have tended to develop their own resources and patterns, some focussing on Bible study, others on sharing food, others on relationships. The groups provide a great opportunity to encourage one another and to pray for those who are struggling or who have things to celebrate. 

**Prayer Meetings:** After Easter this year, Tim decided to start a morning prayer group for anyone who was able and willing to join him. This morning prayer was active on Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 10am every week. Numbers have varied, but there have been a faithful core of people keeping it going, praying for the community and wider area, as well as the world. We read a Psalm, the Old Testament and New Testament and share the Lord’s Prayer. This has been a great opportunity for Tim to touch base with people in the week on a routine level. The church have also continued in our monthly prayer gatherings on the first Sunday of the month. These have varied in style and number but have continued to be an opportunity for a more reflective and less chaotic space for worship. 

## **Other Activities –** 

**Pastoral Care:** This year, pastoral care has primarily taken place through the Life Groups (see above). We are still trying to be mindful of those who are part of our community, or who are on the fringes, but who may not be invested in a Life Group. There are a few people who are heavily involved in the support of others, visiting regularly, especially the frail and unwell. 

**Kitchenette:** A hugely significant aspect of our life together has been the development of a kitchenette space in our main hall. This work will be completed in the new year, but has enabled us to have running water and the space to serve refreshments before and after services, as well as during other occasions in the week. This will really serve our desire in the new year to offer hospitality to people in the community, as well as to our own fellowship. 

**Light party:** This was organised as an alternative to the conventional Halloween celebrations that children otherwise become involved in. A large number of children turned out to celebrate the light of the world, with lots of games and excitement. This was a great chance to offer something different to the wider community. 



**Santa’s Grotto:** We also organised a Santa’s Grotto which was, in part, specifically tailored for children with learning difficulties or who were neurodiverse. This was a brilliant opportunity to provide something different for people who had nothing like this nearby. 

**Safeguarding:** The safeguarding team meet regularly to discuss matters of concern and to update procedures. In order to provide a safe and trusted environment, we ensure that all our volunteers working with children and adults at risk are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We ensure that all volunteers understand and adhere to our Safeguarding policy. 



CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENIIAND AND WALES
Honlton F?rnlly Church
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
011D112022
3111212022
Section A Receipts and payments
Unr85trict8d
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
fund5
Total funds
Last year
to thD near8¥1
to nearest £
to the noarest £
to the £
to the nearest £
A1 Recelpts
Giftaidgd donalK)n5
Tax refund on oitt 8ld
Grants
Use of church
General Offerings
Youth G￿p9
Don8llons
8apbsmslWeddinoslFuneraLs
Café
Manse R$nt
3.410
3,410
19,261
1.9BO
2.fj7S
3.521
3.550
10.745
3,521
3,550
10,745
5,8fj9
20.276
20,276
15.029
8,250
,250
9.750
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
49,752
49,752
55,244
A2 Asset and In￿SIm￿nt sales,
($88 table).
Sub total
49,752
49.752
55.244
A3Pa
ments
Salaries
39,250
39,250
33.420
Visitor fees
Visilorexpenses
Manse council tax
manse wa￿[
anse rent
manse insurance
manse ffjPaiTS
Church electrioty
Church Gas
Church w8ier
Chur¢h 9guip repaiis & main
Church building repaii & Main
Church clean & Hovsak*ping
Adminlslraliofi expenses
Missionary giving
Youth groups
C8fé
BM8
2.QQS
2,DD5
2,253
1,887
1.887
998
825
672
1.443
917
589
339
5,006
1,332
1.955
1,443
917
$89
339
5,006
1.332
1,955
672
708
1,250
144
3,481
35
Home misskns
Inisty
Youth worker
Other
1.QOD
2,630
2,630
4,937
Sub total
$7,353
57.3S3
51,653
CCXX Rl accounts ISSI
1911012023

A4 Asset and Investment
urchases, Is8e table
Sub total
Totalpayments
57,353
57.353
51.653
Net of recelpts/(paym¢nts)
AS Transfers betW8en funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this ygarend
7,601
1,200
14,387
5.586
7,601
3,591
1.200
14,549
15.749
28.936
21,335
23,302
26.893
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unmstrlct•d
Restrlct•d
funds
funds
to ngargst£
Endowm8nt
funds
to n8arqSt£
to nearest £
B1 Cash funds
Generdl Account
5,586
Reserve aGCOUnt
15,749
Total cash funds
21,335
r8capts and paym8n15
aewjniisll
Unrestricted
funds
to n•ar•st £
Restrlcted
fund$
to t)oarut e
Endowment
funds
to th•*r6st£
DetLiiIs
82 Other monetary assets
azz
Fund to whlch
Èsset belon
Current value
Details
Cost loptlonall
Fund to whlch
asset belon
Curr•#tv8luo
Details
8t l¢ptlonall
B4 Assets retained for tho
charity's own use
Fund towhich
relatès
Amount due
When due
Details
BS L5abllltlos
Slgned by one or two trustees on
b8half of all the Ituslees
Signature
Print Name
Dale of
ioval
TI L)
CCXX R2 account5 ISSI
11012023

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Irkdependent Examingr'5 Report
Raport to thé trustee31
members of
Y Oni YT)YI
mil
On accounts for tho yèar
ended
Charlty no
(if any)
81- 2ozL
IL&itssg
Set out on pagos
I report to the trustees on my examlnation of the accourrts of the above
charfty llhe Trust.) for the year ended
Rèsponslbllllles and As the charity tnjstees of the Trust. you are r8sponsible for the preparation
basls of réport of th8 aLxounls in acurdance with tha r6quir8m8nts of Charitl8s Act
2011 ("the W.
I rep)rt in r8spert ol my examlnation of the Tnjst's ac￿unIS carried ¢￿t
under section 145 of the 2011 Act aThJ in Carying out my examinatlon, I
have folh)wed the appICab￿ Direclions gfven by Ihe Charty Commission
under section 145(51{b) of the Pd.
Independent
I have ￿mpleted my examinatN)n. I ￿￿firrn that no materfal matters have
examinerfs statement _ com8 to my attenknon (other than that disdosed below ') in connectlon wth
the examinatiDn thlch gives ffie cause to believe that in, any material
respect..
accounllng r6wrds were not kept In accordance with section 130 of
theAdor
the aox)unts do aCcC￿d with the accounting r￿ordS
I have rm) (x>ncern5 and have come across no other matters in connection
with th8 examinatrjn to which attention should be dra￿ in order to enable a
proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached.
se delet Ihe words in the brackets rfthey do not appty.
Slgned:
Date:
14
Name:
hlOC
Relevant professional
qualifi&2llon{s) or body
(If any):
8ifftoN fl
Addross:
IER
October 2018