## **ANNUAL REPORT i Calendar Year 2023 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 2023 and 31 Dec 2023:
- Mr Tim Judson (Pastor) till 25th December
- Miss Ellen Batten from 10th april
- Mr Richard Lucas (Deacon from 1st january to 15th june)
- 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 –**
## **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.
2023 was another exciting and challenging year for the church. The youth work grew from strength to strength and as a result numbers have grown again over 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, The hangover from COVID remains and many members who came before no longer attend.
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, and we are hoping that the work will begin in mid year 2024.
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, This was an encouraging testament to the good standing our church has amongst the wider community.
As intimated above, has one 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. Nevertheless, Tim and the trustees have been extremely grateful for the support given in this area.
In October Tim indicated that he was going to step down at the end of December, and a call out for further deacons to replace Tim and support Helen and Ellen in their more expanded roles within the Church. Danny Beaven and Nick Grimson will be joining the Deconante in January.
## **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, 2023 involved some flux in our attendance and activity. This was due to a number of factors, some unknown. The youth and children's work has been a real blessing and we have experienced growth again which started in September the year before. Again 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. 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, 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. Throughout 2023 little stars continued to meet and continued to go from strength to strength.
**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 focusing 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.
We are planning to run an alpha group in early 2024, this is a great opportunity to reach out in faith to our local community and reach into our own community.
## **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:** This has been a real blessing to our Sunday morning services as well as our mid-week groups.
**Repairing the building:** There is a plan to repair the bits of the building to first start with the corridor including adding a new toilet and then move on to the upstairs area, the aim being to bring further blessing to our community and make the building fit for purpose. We thank Chris Doran
**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 neuro diverse. 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 Name No (if any) Honiton Family Church 118165 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01/01/2023 31/12/2023
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
- - - -
Gift aided donations 27,230 - - 27,230 3,410
Tax refund on gift aid 14,486 - - 14,486
Tax refund on gift aid to be received 6,000 - - 6,000 3,521
Use of church 8,502 - - 8,502 3,550
General Offerings 9,299 - - 9,299 10,745
Youth Groups - - -
Donations 11,995 - - 11,995 20,276
Baptisms/Weddings/Funerals 594 - - 594
Café - - -
Manse Rent 9,000 - - 9,000 8,250
Interest - 148 - 148
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
87,105 148 - 87,253 49,752
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 87,105 148 - 87,253 49,752
A3 Payments
Salaries 30,752 - - 30,752 39,250
Minsters travel 50 - - 50
Visitor fees 127 - - 127
Visitor expenses - - -
Manse council tax 2,256 - - 2,256 2,005
manse water - - -
manse rent - - -
manse insurance 1,976 - - 1,976 1,887
manse repairs - - -
Church electricity 2,813 - - 2,813 1,443
Church Gas 457 - - 457 917
Church water 657 - - 657 589
Church equip repairs & main - - - 339
Church building repair & Main 4,426 - - 4,426 5,006
Church clean & Housekeeping - - - 1,332
Administration expenses 3,264 - - 3,264 1,955
Missionary giving - - -
Youth groups - - -
Café - - -
Spree 1,163 - - 1,163
Home missions - - -
Ministry - - -
Youth worker - - -
Other 1,079 - - 1,079 2,630
- - - -
- - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 49,019 ] - - 49,019 57,353
**----- End of picture text -----**
22/10/2024
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
**----- Start of picture text -----**
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 49,019 - - 49,019 57,353
Net of receipts/(payments) 38,086 148 - 38,234 - 7,601
A5 Transfers between funds - 81 81 - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 5,586 15,749 - 21,335 28,936
Cash funds this year end 43,591 15,978 - 59,569 21,335
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**
|**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B3 Investment assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B1 Cash funds**|Signature
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**
General Account
**_Total cash funds_**
Reserve account
**Details**
Gift Aid debtor|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**37,591**
**-**
**15,978**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**37,591**
**15,978**
Agreement Error
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**6,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**6,000**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**When due**
**(optional)**
Date of
approval|
22/10/2024
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteosl
members of
On accounts for the year
ènded
Charity no
(if any)
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity I"Ihe Tru51') for the year ended
Responslbilities and As the charity Iruslees of the Trust, you are responsible far the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 ("Ihe Act'l.
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
undgr Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5llbl of th8 Act.
I have Gompleted my examinalion. I confimi that no material matters have
come lo my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with
th8 examination which gives m6 caus8 to believe that in, any material
resp8Ct'.
accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
examiner's statament
I have no concerns and have come across no other mattèrs In connection
with the examination lo which attention should b8 drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Pleasè delele the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Date:
Name:
Relevant professional
qualificationlsl or body
lif any):
Address:
-* i ¥P)<
IER
October 2018