veen ANNUAL REPORT 2021
ANNUAL REPORT
202 1
Holmer Green Baptist Church
The Common Holmer Green High Wycombe Bucks HP15 6TD
www.holmergreenbaptist.org.uk
info@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk
www.facebook.com/holmergreenbaptist
(Telephone : 01494 712479)
1
’ – Pastor s Report 2021 Anthony Smith
Over the last year we have continued to deal with the challenges of COVID. It has shown just how adaptable our church is. My thanks go to, and I won’t name them all, everyone who has contributed so much to the fellowship here. On the spiritual, pastoral, technical and practical side. What an amazing team.
With that in mind let me share a few thoughts with you and conclude with some comments about 2021 specifically.
Amidst the challenges facing the travel industry one airline CEO expressed his strategic recovery plan in three words: survive, revive, thrive. Initially the hope would simply be for the organization to survive. The strategy then moved towards reviving, and thriving again.
In the Bible, Jesus offers words of invitation that speak into those three stages of life recovery. I think these three words are pertinent for our church and all of us that form part of this fellowship. I’m only too well aware of many churches in our world and a number locally who have struggled over the past few years. Some churches are still struggling in survival mode, and we need to continue to pray for and support the extended church family. Comparatively, at Holmer Green Baptist we have been significantly sheltered. By God’s grace and the strength of the people God has placed here, we’ve experienced God’s presence and power in our midst through the global pandemic.
I wonder which of these words best expresses your experience over the past year?
To those weary survivors, Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11v 28-30
To those in need of reviving, the Bible declares “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40 v 31.
To each of us, there is a calling to thrive, to bear fruit, to see lives changed as the gospel is proclaimed. A calling to shine like a light; to walk in God’s confidence and authority; and to speak words of hope in our world. Indeed, we have been invited into God’s work on the earth.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. The Lord has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor. He is sending us to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. He is asking us to set the oppressed free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. (Luke 4:18-19)
In the context of the above I think we can claim we have survived. There has of course been pain and suffering but we have come through it. We have a strong leadership team who have come together and are all committed to leading the fellowship forward. Your support throughout the year for all the team has been amazing.
We have needed reviving and the life groups, pastoral support and friendships have given us this opportunity.
Indeed, not only that but we have seen the congregation grow in total as we have developed our Sunday, Wednesday and online presence. We must seek now with God’s help to Thrive in 2022.
The challenge is there but with the Father’s leading and the Holy Spirits
empowerment and a Gospel message that is as relevant as ever we must seek to thrive in 2022
Finally, as always, you have my utmost thanks for all your love, prayer and support to Adele and myself.
Blessings Your Pastor and Friend Anthony
– THE CHURCH YEAR 2021: Church Secretary Derek Brown
Having agreed to become a trustee/deacon in late 2019, the word Covid had not even entered my vocabulary. The effect this terrible pandemic has wrought on the world is now known by everyone from the youngest school child to the oldest members of our community and has impacted our lives in ways we could not even imagine.
The church has always been a place where people of faith have come together for corporate worship and fellowship where those in need can find comfort and support. The past two years have therefore been a real challenge to all we seek to achieve as a body of believers here in Holmer Green and its environs.
Most of our regular meetings were cancelled altogether, but due to the technical expertise of church members we were able to continue with the broadcasting of our Sunday services, initially online and then also ‘socially distanced’ at the church.
2021 began with another ‘lock down’ and face to face services were again not resumed until Easter. We must acknowledge the faithful support of the musicians and audio visual team during this time who along with the pastors made the broadcasting of services possible. This whilst maintaining the common hope we have as believers in Jesus, severely diminished the real bond of fellowship of just ‘being together’.
Praise God! as the vaccines began to take effect Sunday services were able to resume from Easter onwards as did the Wednesday service, both of which were reasonably well attended as folk began to work through the risks and procedures that Covid enforced on them.
During this time we were joined by Alan Biswas-Rooney as associate pastor and work began on restoring the youth activities making use of the new log cabin which was constructed at the rear of the church in June. This facility has also been used for Life Group and Oasis meetings and will be a valuable asset going forward. Toddlers group also resumed in June with a restriction on numbers and we were able to hold our family celebration and BBQ at the end of the same month. Simply Walk, Women’s Fellowship and Pop in Lunch also restarted over the following 3 months.
A new event called ‘Who let the Dad’s Out’ was started at the church as a platform on a Saturday morning for fathers to meet together with their children, to play and get to know our church family. We trust these meetings will continue to grow and will result in an increase in those coming to faith and adding to our fellowship.
Throughout the year our contact with Curzon and Holmer Green Junior schools has been maintained by the pastors. This involved RE groups and Assemblies as well as Easter Cracked and Christmas Unwrapped events both online and at the Church for the children, together with parenting courses for parents. This is an amazing opportunity which we will continue to support and in turn will benefit from by growing the church of tomorrow.
We have been blessed financially with many members giving generously and sacrificially through these difficult times as can be seen in the financial section of this report, for which we thank them and God our father for His care and provision. As a fellowship we continue to give to those in need at home and abroad and acknowledge that, as stewards of God’s provision to us, we should be generous to those in need.
As to the future, we trust the Lord for an increase in his Kingdom here in Holmer Green and pray that in turn we will grow in Him as members of the church and continue to support the fellowship in any way we are able.
Blessings Derek Brown
’ – Treasurer s Report 2021 Steve Box
Throughout the year 2021 our accounts have been in a strong position. We have been able to make significant improvements to our premises and ministry and still ended the year with reserves healthy Many thanks are due to our Book Keeper Jenny Wilkins, for her professional work in recording all of our income and expenditure so efficiently and to Elaine Brown our Assistant Treasurer for work in dealing with cash giving.
One feature of our giving in recent times has been the number of regular standing orders that have been set up by members and friends of the church. That provides a regular source of income and makes the claiming of tax through the Gift Aid scheme more straightforward. Our income has increased this year as a result of much faithful commitment to the work of the Kingdom of God.
Our accounts for the year 2021 show two years of Gift Aid claims (for 2020 and 2021), totalling £30000. Going forward we plan to reclaim tax at the end of each quarter.
We are still committed to giving a tenth of our income to support the work of the gospel more widely. We have not managed that aspect of our finances as well as we would have liked this year. A major gift of £1500 to Project Possible was made after December 31st so does not show. When included our outreach giving totalled £8395. (These items show as “other causes” in the accounts).
With changes of personnel in the finance team we overlooked a previous commitment to give a sum of money to Baptist Home Missions. Trustees/deacons have resolved to make good that promise this year.
A summary of our “outreach” giving is as follows.
| BMS World Mission | 2430.00 |
|---|---|
| Home Mission | |
| Leprosy Mission | 821.37 |
| Spurgeons | 1618.00 |
| Operaton Agri | 100.00 |
| Rope/Project Possible | 0.00 |
| Wycombe Youth for Christ | 300.00 |
| Books Given away | 0.00 |
| Church outreach initatves | 1625.00 |
| Total | 6895.00 |
We had some big expenditures on our premises – the church and the manse in 2021. The manse required a major refurbishment costing about £8000. Early in the year we invested in some improved lighting in the church. A gift enabled us to replace the commercial dishwasher in the kitchen . The cost of “Jane’s Cabin” appears as a large expenditure in 2021 accounts although the generous gift that paid for it appeared in 2020 accounts.
After a few years when the manse was rented out it has gone back to its original purpose – housing our associate pastor. This will obviously mean that we do not receive any rental income but the associate pastor’s renumeration package is adjusted to compensate.
The Ministers Welfare Fund was created to support families in need during Covid restrictions. It has not been used in 2021.
We ended the year with £46000 “in the bank”. Our intention is to keep £35000 as a reserve and about £5000 as a working contingency. We are therefore able to set a balanced budget for next year that includes all our expected expenses and income. Our accounts have been audited and will be made public on the Charity Commission website shortly.
God is good!
Steve Box
Contact Information 2021
Pastor: Anthony Smith anthony@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Secretary: Derek Brown secretary@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Treasurer: Steve Box (Co opted) treasurer.stephen@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Deacons: Claire Spinks-Gillen claire.spinks-gillen@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Elaine Brown elaine.brown@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Bob Davy bob.davy@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk Elders: Mark Coventry mark.coventry@holmergreenbaptist.org.uk
Holmer Green Baptist Church Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 Respective rèsponsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for thè preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit Is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Adl and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts. 35 set Otjt on the following 8 pages, under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to ftsllow the procedijres laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 4317llbl of the 1993 A¢t. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent èxaminerfs statement My &xaminab"on was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Ctsmmission. An examination includes 3 review of the accounty'ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It asso includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the acwunts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not Provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether tFte aOuntS present a 'lrue and lair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Independent examinèr's statoment In the course of my examin*ion. no Mattèrs. except as disclosed below, have come to my attentton.. I Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material tsspect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records In accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act.. and ounts which accord with the awounting records and comply with the accounting to prepare acFiho 2011 Act have not been met." or requirements o 2 to which. in my opinion. altention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 04-Mar-22 Sarah Hom Chartered Accountant Date 7 Bunbury Avenue Great Barton Buryst Edmunds Suffolk IP3125Z
Holmer Green Baptist Church
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2021
| Holmer GreenBaptist Church Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2021 |
Holmer GreenBaptist Church Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|
| (incorporating an income and expenditure account) | ||
| Note | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | |
| Restricted (Pastor's) Fund | ||
| Balance brought forward | 374.86 | - |
| Receipts 3 |
150.00 | 4,948.86 |
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | 124.00 | 4,574.00 |
| Balance carried forward | 400.86 | 374.86 |
| Restricted (Gift Day) Fund | ||
| Balance brought forward | 10,440.00 | - |
| Receipts | 412.50 | 10,440.00 |
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | 10,852.50 | - |
| Balance carried forward | - | 10,440.00 |
| General Fund | ||
| Receipts | £ | |
| Weekly Offerings | 65,575.12 | 47,134.72 |
| Other donations received | 720.00 | 1,030.00 |
| Other raised income for mission 2 |
1,109.41 | 1,308.36 |
| Other income 3 |
44,521.60 | 35,133.41 |
| Total | 111,926.13 | 84,606.49 |
| Direct Charitable Expenditure | ||
| Cost of services | 791.43 | 411.30 |
| Ministry | 64,736.04 | 39,253.00 |
| Church / Manse upkeep 4 |
26,821.71 | 9,448.52 |
| Other causes 2 |
6,894.87 | 8,056.38 |
| Other expenses 5 |
7,966.07 | 75,541.62 |
| Total | 107,210.12 | 132,710.82 |
| Surplus/deficit for the year | 4,716.01 | -48,104.33 |
| Balance brought forward | 41,608.04 | 89,712.37 |
| Surplus/deficit for the year | 4,716.01 | -48,104.33 |
| Balance carried forward | 46,324.05 | 41,608.04 |
| All funds balance carried forward | 46,724.91 | 52,422.90 |
| All the charity's operations are continuing operations and there were no operations discontinued or acquired during the year. |
Holmer Green Baptist Church Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2021
| (Balance sheet) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note | 2021 | 2020 |
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed (non-monetary) Assets 6 |
||
| Church and Manse | ||
| Church Held for church's own use | 980,000.00 | 980,000.00 |
| Manse Held for investment | 180,000.00 | 180,000.00 |
| 1,160,000.00 | 1,160,000.00 | |
| Monetary assets | ||
| Lloyds TSB current account | 2,149.81 | 640.40 |
| Lloyds deposit account | 43,831.33 | 40,108.07 |
| Lloyds savings account (opened June 2018) | 743.77 | 11,674.43 |
| Cash in hand | - | - |
| 46,724.91 | 52,422.90 | |
| Non Monetary assets | 1,160,000.00 | 1,160,000.00 |
| Total assets | 1,206,724.91 | 1,212,422.90 |
| Restricted (Pastor's) Fund | 400.86 | 374.86 |
| Restricted (Gift Day) Fund | - | 10,440.00 |
| General Fund | 46,324.05 | 41,608.04 |
| 46,724.91 | 52,422.90 |
Holmer Green Baptist Churc h Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and applicable accounting standards, and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005) and the Charities Act 1993.
Basis of Property Valuations
The church and manse are revalued as per Baptist Union recommended figures every 5 - 7 years when they carry out a review. The last review was conducted on 19th December 2016.
Status of Charity
The charity was formally registered with the Charity Commissioners in 1996.
Cash Flow Statement
The trustees have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by the Financial Reporting Standard Number 1 and have not prepared a cash flow statement on the basis that this is a small charity.
| 2 Other Causes |
2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Given | Raised | Given | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Raised For Missions supported | 604.46 | 690.26 | |||
| BMS World Mission | 2430.00 | 2340.00 | |||
| Home Mission | 804 | ||||
| Leprosy Mission | 821.37 | 782.26 | |||
| Spurgeons | 1618.00 | 660.5 | |||
| Operation Agri | 100.00 | 10.00 | |||
| Rope/Project Possible | 0.00 | 660.50 | |||
| Wycombe Youth for Christ | 300.00 | 300.00 | |||
| Books Given away | 0.00 | 114.5 | |||
| Messy ChurchWho Let the Dads In | 76.00 | 59.31 | 76.52 | ||
| Pop In | 542.64 | 460.38 | |||
| Events | 138.78 | 1,185.92 | |||
| Junior Church | 308.52 | 402.52 | |||
| Playmates / Toddlers | 428.95 | 309.17 | 595.30 | 57.08 | |
| Schools | 109.09 | 152.99 | |||
| Youth Club | 91.22 | 22.80 | 0.00 | ||
| Simply Walk (expd) | 66.77 | 49.21 | |||
| 1,109.41 | 6,894.87 | 1,308.36 | 8,056.38 | ||
| 3 Other Income |
2021 | 2020 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Donations/misc | |||||
| Pop In (Inc) | 761.85 | 815.20 | |||
| Use of Premises General | 628.00 | 472.00 | |||
| Time 4 God (Inc) | 0.00 | 101.95 | |||
| Events | 0.00 | 1,136.00 | |||
| Manse | 10,543.00 | 15,520.80 | |||
| Interest | 3.57 | 19.14 | |||
| HMRC Refund | 30,457.03 | 15,124.98 | |||
| Simply Walk (Inc) | 730.47 | 464.89 | |||
| Other Rebates | 1,397.68 | 1,438.45 | |||
| Ministers Welfare Fund | - | 4,948.86 | |||
| Refund of fees | 0.00 | 40.00 | |||
| 44,521.60 | 40,082.27 | ||||
Holmer Green Baptist Church Notes to the Financial Statements
| 4 Church & Manse Upkeep 2021 £ Water charges : manse / church 0.00 Electric / gas : manse / church 2,539.78 Telephone / broadband 531.38 Insurance 1,491.83 Repairs and purchases (general) 12,624.40 Manse Expenses 9,634.32 26,821.71 5 Other Expenses 2021 £ General Administration / Sundries 270.05 Fees and subscriptions 1,823.22 Cleaning and catering 1,854.06 Photocopying and printing 1,373.06 CCLI 820.58 Transferred to restricted gift day fund 1,825.10 7,966.07 6 Non-monetary assets held for the church's own use The church is the beneficial owner (subject to relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title of which is held by The Charities Custodian Trustee, The Baptist Union Corporation. These assets are stated at insured values. Last valuation by Baptist Union 19th December 2016. |
4 Church & Manse Upkeep 2021 £ Water charges : manse / church 0.00 Electric / gas : manse / church 2,539.78 Telephone / broadband 531.38 Insurance 1,491.83 Repairs and purchases (general) 12,624.40 Manse Expenses 9,634.32 26,821.71 5 Other Expenses 2021 £ General Administration / Sundries 270.05 Fees and subscriptions 1,823.22 Cleaning and catering 1,854.06 Photocopying and printing 1,373.06 CCLI 820.58 Transferred to restricted gift day fund 1,825.10 7,966.07 6 Non-monetary assets held for the church's own use The church is the beneficial owner (subject to relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title of which is held by The Charities Custodian Trustee, The Baptist Union Corporation. These assets are stated at insured values. Last valuation by Baptist Union 19th December 2016. |
4 Church & Manse Upkeep 2021 £ Water charges : manse / church 0.00 Electric / gas : manse / church 2,539.78 Telephone / broadband 531.38 Insurance 1,491.83 Repairs and purchases (general) 12,624.40 Manse Expenses 9,634.32 26,821.71 5 Other Expenses 2021 £ General Administration / Sundries 270.05 Fees and subscriptions 1,823.22 Cleaning and catering 1,854.06 Photocopying and printing 1,373.06 CCLI 820.58 Transferred to restricted gift day fund 1,825.10 7,966.07 6 Non-monetary assets held for the church's own use The church is the beneficial owner (subject to relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title of which is held by The Charities Custodian Trustee, The Baptist Union Corporation. These assets are stated at insured values. Last valuation by Baptist Union 19th December 2016. |
2020 £ 354.78 1,971.29 620.68 1,442.93 4,432.44 626.40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,448.52 | |||
| 2020 £ 69,156.77 2,749.90 1,972.41 841.29 821.25 - |
|||
| 75,541.62 | |||
| Church and contents: Church held for church's own use Manse: 6 Weathercock Gardens, Held as investment |
2021 £ 980,000 180,000 1,160,000 |
2020 £ 980,000 180,000 |
|
| 1,160,000 |
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Church | and contents: Church held for church's own use | 980,000 | 980,000 |
| Manse: | 6 Weathercock Gardens, Held as investment | 180,000 | 180,000 |
| 1,160,000 | 1,160,000 |
The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities (balance sheet) as set out in pages 1 to 6 inclusive for the year ending 31st December 2021 are as approved by the Deacons. Signed (Church Secretary) Date: 14th March 2022
Holmer Green Baptist Church Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 Respective rèsponsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for thè preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit Is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Adl and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts. 35 set Otjt on the following 8 pages, under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to ftsllow the procedijres laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 4317llbl of the 1993 A¢t. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent èxaminerfs statement My &xaminab"on was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Ctsmmission. An examination includes 3 review of the accounty'ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It asso includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the acwunts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not Provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether tFte aOuntS present a 'lrue and lair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Independent examinèr's statoment In the course of my examin*ion. no Mattèrs. except as disclosed below, have come to my attentton.. I Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material tsspect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records In accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act.. and ounts which accord with the awounting records and comply with the accounting to prepare acFiho 2011 Act have not been met." or requirements o 2 to which. in my opinion. altention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 04-Mar-22 Sarah Hom Chartered Accountant Date 7 Bunbury Avenue Great Barton Buryst Edmunds Suffolk IP3125Z