## **Bourne Evangelical Church Trustee’s Report March 2020 to April 2021** **Trustees:** Nadine Wetz, David Tattersall and Jacob Wright ## **1. Charity Objectives and Activities** Bourne Evangelical Church exists for the advancement of the Christian faith within Bourne and the surrounding areas in accordance with its constitution and basis of faith. This includes provision of a place of meeting for public worship of God via preaching and teaching of the Bible. Communion, prayer, praise, fellowship and alms-giving including evangelistic outreach and discipleship. a) providing a place for worship for ecclesiastical activities b) providing Christian resources for the wider community c) engaging the general public through evangelism d) offering short courses on the Christian faith Programs for support of members a) weekly Bible teaching sessions b) weekly prayer groups c) pastoral care, visits and calls d) advanced discipleship training for members e) activities for bonding and personal growth ## **2. Membership: reminder of obligations** ## **Church Handbook 2.1.9** Membership brings with it certain privileges and responsibilities. The privileges are identified as membership of the local Body of Christ in all its work and worship, to be able to partake in discussing and agreeing the way in which the local Church should move forward and fulfil its Biblical role in the local community and the benefit of Pastoral care. The obligations of membership are to submit to the authority and leadership of the Pastor and/or Elders and Deacons in accordance with the provisions of this Church Handbook and the Constitution, to participate in the work of the Church and its activities, to attend meetings regularly, to bear each other up before the Lord in prayer, and to share in the financial needs of the Church. In particular, this will involve: 1. Regular attendance at Sunday worship. (Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:25) 2. Regular personal prayer and Bible study. (2 Tim 3:15-17, Phil. 4:6) 3. Regular attendance, when possible, at the main weekday meeting of the Church for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. (Acts 1:14, 2:42) 4. Sharing in the life, work and witness of the local Church. (Rom. 1:16, 1 Cor. 15:58) 5. Regular giving to the local Church and the Lord’s work in general. (1 Cor. 16:2, 2 Cor. 9:6-7) 6. The showing of Christian love and concern, both for the members of the Church family and for the community at large. (John 13:35, 1 Thess. 3:12) 7. An endeavour to live a life consistent with the faith we profess. (Rom. 6:1-2, Eph. 4:1) 8. Regular attendance at the Lord’s Supper. (Acts 2:42, 20:7) ## **3. - Meeting Charity objectives and activities** **Advancement of the Christian faith.** BEC has a rolling contract with the URC which secures BEC with a regular place of worship, for ecclesiastical activities. Despite COVID restrictions one new person has come to faith, and the overall congregation has grown. Integration of ZOOM has also seen a rise in online participation. **Programs of support for members and non-members** – COVID restrictions have severely hindered normative pastoral care and social interaction. Nevertheless, care of the flock has been maintained through ZOOM meetings, telephone calls and where safe to do so Pastoral visits. Discipleship programs are working well, helping both members and non-members grow in their faith. For those most vulnerable BEC made itself available offering food deliveries during the first lockdown in 2020. It is hoped that as lockdown eases in 2021 the Church hall will resume activities, such as craft groups, men’s breakfast group, women’s afternoon tea, teaching days etc. BEC is also now linked with the Fenlands Evangelical Network and it is hoped this inter-church relationship will provide further social interaction among membership through outreach, fellowship, teaching and camps. **Support of other users** - BEC rents the facility from the URC. BEC members have helped the URC with building maintenance carrying out various tasks, from drain repairs and new slate roof to gardening and vermin control. BEC is also working with the Food Bank (who also rent part of this facility) with a view to removing the stage area and replacing rotten wooden floors. **Long term investments** - future proofing technology within the Church has seen the purchase of new audio/visual equipment. Particular attention has been given to those watching lone via ZOOM. New AV equipment has made for a much-improved online experience. A new computer is still needed as well as hanging microphones. **Evangelism** - Sadly the local council banned all religious activity on the market, thus market outreach has been curtailed since the first lockdown. The Christmas carol service went ahead as a joint FEN service. Easter afforded a blanket drop of leaflets door-to-door throughout Eastgate. Dispensers placed at the church entrance have proved popular with passersby – dozens of pieces of literature have been distributed by this means **Renovation of the gallery** – The objective to create an office space and a quiet place for reading, reflection and Christian resources is now complete. Dedication of the “upper room” took place on January 31[st] 2021. The chapel is now open weekly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In line with charity objectives and the Church vision it is hoped that the upper room will become a drop in hub for both members and non-members in the local community. **COVID 19 Restrictions.** Despite severe restrictions BEC has advanced its charity objectives and activates. Firstly, the completion of the upper room provides the Pastor with an on-site office allowing the Chapel and resource room to be open almost daily. Reacting to church closures greater investment in technology has seen online participation increase, allowing the most vulnerable to still be part of church services. A daily prayer initiative conducted through ZOOM has become multi-cultural with international participation. BEC’s online presence will remain a feature of the charity objectives moving forward. The trustees and BEC members remain committed to the advancement of the Christian faith within Bourne and its surrounding areas in accordance with its constitution and basis of faith and look forward to a prosperous and blessed 2021/22. **JACOB WRIGHT – Trustee** **----- Start of picture text -----**
30 [th] January 2021
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