Trustees, Annual Report for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31st December 2024 Charity name". CAREf BAPTISTCHURCH HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Charity registration number. 1188844 THIRD ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE CHARITY COMMISSION INTROD crioN Carey Baptist Church existed as a charity for over 40 years slnce the amalgamation of Boxmoor and Marlowes Baptist Churches, as an unincorporated association affiliated to the Baptist Union of Greèt Britain, which permitted us to act 1rependentIY according to guideli nes provided by BUGB. This is the third Annual report by the CIO to the Charity Commission arK4 the in5pe¢ted accounts cover the period I. January to 31 December 2024, since transitioning to a CIO in May 2021. AIM During 2024, following a review of the Church's aims ahead of èstabllshlng a mlssion for the next five year5, we agreed a new overall church mission statement., Yo be a Chrlst-centred people, In the heart of Hemel Hempstead, showlng God's love to our cammunit(. OBJEcfivES We also agreed four mission obJe¢tlves, developed Into an acrorym spelling'LOVE': Llve out our falth, providing Christ-centred, Bible-based ministry to nurtur8 our spiritual growth. - Open our arms to our comrnunlty, usin8 Opportunities to share God's love. - Value chlldren & young people, nurturing their hearts In faith & wholeness in Christ. - Engage a$8ood stewards of God's creatlon, preserv1 ourenvlronment through ourchurch actions & individual lifestyle choices. Our objectives continue to ba:
to promote the pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenlcal mlssion of the Church to enable as many people as posslble to worship at ourchurch and encourdge mémbershlp refurblshmentlredevelopment of our building for benefit of congregation and community have due regard to the commlssion's publlc benefit guldance Other aGtlons arisin8 from the review include:. 11 DrawlnR up of a comrnunity profile to shape our thinking and prayers. 21 A new welcome team and newcomer adoption scherne, including cards recordingvlsitors, details. 31 Obtaln opinlons of families with Children who come to Carey, including attenders at our Baby & Toddlor Group. 61 Wlder planning of Sunday morning worshlp, maklng the most of outreach opportunltles for the church around Christmas, Easter and Harvest. 71 A reviewof our church meetin85. to attract more people to share In our declslons about Carerfs life & rnlssion. Carevs Mi55ion Action Plan (202&20291 to be adopted eady In 2025 alms to address the challen8e of how both to nurture spirltually our diverse congregation, while also looking beyo them to our diverse cornmunlty, with Its significant and varied needs. One enduring positlve fcundation for this double challenge is the ma ke-up of Carevs leadership, which is itself culturally diverse. Four of the ten current deacon5 are of African or Asian origin. AcfiviTIES Evongeli¢al/Pastcral Carey has in-person Sunday SeICe$ followed bytea and coffee, as well a5 Other Church activities, but continues to share these via Zoom for those who are either less mobile. needln8 to isolate temporarilyi medically at risk, or even away from the area. We have continued to use Zoom to provide spiritual sUPPOrt and teaching through virtual prayer rneetings. Bible Studies and Lent Studies. Obed 5ardar runs a weekly Zoom Prdyer Meeting on Wednesday evenirw. Joan Bruce continues weekly prayer meetlngs at her home,
The opportunity continues for individuals to share prayers for healing and help with a prayer team after communion and other services. Our monthly Hymn Café ha5 been widely appreciated by people within and beyond ourchurch. Robert Hoare has continued to support this on the keyboard. He continues to play the Organ on special occa5ion5 such as Good Friday and the Church Anniversary. Thè Music Group led by Clifford Clarke on keyboard normall¥ supports seNlces, but we continued to enjoy visits by Andrew Cheale and Andrew Pennycook to play the organ. Carey runs both a Children's and Youth church to share knowledge of the love of Jesus and to lead young people into a growing relationship with Him. Youngerchildren can move to a play aréa with a parent from the normal service ifthey need a change of scene. We Contlnued to finance Tam21n Phillips as our Children's, Youth and Family Worker, initially financed by a generous donation from Trinity Baptist Church in Chesham12022). Part has involved the leading and co- ordinating Care¢s work with 0-16yr olds on a Sunday morning, and the Baby and Toddlers Group on Frldays. The latterfs success has been such that it has expanded to use other rooms, with the help of other volunteer5 and parents who are also Carer5 and can help; We were happy to extend her contract. Continued finance of this beyond 2025 is being sought by applying for a Home Mission Fund grant, which, If awarded wlll cover half the c05t. A group has b@en formed to éxplore possible money-raising events by the Church such as Quiz Nights and a Model Railway show. In June 2024, a sponsored walk from Carey to Dunstable Downs was an Inaugural event, whlch raised over£lOOO. On 1st December, an Adver)t pilgrimage to St Alban5 wa5 undertaken. The annual Belmont Road and Carey Camp was held in August 2024 on the Isle of Wight. We agaln thank the Camp Officers, Warren, Rhiannon, and Martin. and all the staff for all the hard work that has gone Into organlsing Camp. Rev TIM Keightley was chaplaln.Tamzin Phillips was also present. Warren Pyke supported Colin at Carey durlng a camp review setvice on 13 Ortober. Two teenage boys from our con8regation, were again able to attend. We baptised Milad, a youn8 Iranian refugee. Since whlch time several young people have expressed Interest In Church Mernbershlp, and in November Colin started sessions at the Manse. In September we celebrdted the blrth of Rhiannon Storrle and Andrew Dunlop's son,1saa¢ Dunlop. H• Is Joan Bruce's flrst great-grandchlld. Alas, three long-term Church Members were called horne: Trevor Breckell, not long after celebrating hls Golden Weddlngi Tony Upton, and Graham Tomkins. Carey actively supports both local arKI global Charities through donations and dedlcatlon of Communlon offerings, We also support the BMS World Mission and Baptlst Unlon Home Mlssion vla Central Baptist Association. We continue to partner with rnisslon workers in Baryladesh. Our World Development and Relief Fund (nominally 1% cf our income) in 2024 was divlded between Gaza vla Christian Aid and Lebanen vl4 the Di54Stgr Emer8ency Commlttee. Helping those In need is a demonstration of our faith. To this end, individua15' dL)natlons and offerln8s at Communlon SeNSces supported Christians A8ainst Poverty, Bibles forschools, among others. At Christmas w• collècted donations for Christian Aid and Spur8eon'5 Child Care. Throughout the year we accepted donations of food and forother needs on DENS, Ilst (Hemel's homeless charltyl, The glfts at the HaNest Festival Seniice were directed to these more than to flowers and produce. We a Iso celebrated 30 years of the Fairtrade Foundation by donatin8 the offering, whlle also keeping the optlon to donate to Operation Agri. Bapt15t Union held a survey on members, response to a request from a group of churches on a change to the wordlng of what constltuted gross misconduct in a Baptist minister (after which BU Council concluded that there would be no changel. Members were evenly divided on this topic, and we followed this with Ilstenlng days on faith and sexuality led by Rev Graham Clarke. Thè congregation requested that Deacon5 should discuss their positions on thls topic; thls is planned for early 2025. Social and Community One significant aspect of Carey's existing mtssion is in the way that our buildin8s provide a significant hub for our local community. Carey is host to a whole variety of community organi5ations Includirrfd Heather Club, a day care centre that gives support to people living with memory1055 and dementia. It meets twice a week. It was launched over40 years ago with support from our church and our mlnister continues to serve as a Trustee. In November it was given the prestl8ious Kings Award for Voluntary Servlces- the equlvalent of an MBE forvoluntary groups, Warm congratulations to the current staff, volunteer5, members and their carèrs and the Heather Club Trustees. Otherweekly groups include dancing classes and a U3Adancinggroup, Al-Anon, Gentle Yoga, Tai Chi, and Hemel Wargamers. Monthly users include Quilter5, a group of retired PO workers in the National
Federation of Occupational Pensioners INFOP). and Hemel Historical Society. We now host two other churches on Sundays, Zion Christian Fellowship and Bethel Living Stone Church. aving a recently app)inted Lettings Secretary. Aquila Leeniyagoda, Carey continues to build good relatlonships with what is one of our most immedlate mission fields. Throughout the week the church buildings are used by church sponsored groups includ irig Baby & Toddler Group; Carey Ladies, Group meet5 monthly for lunches either at Carey or occasionally elsewhere. We continue to hold fellowship lunches after Sunday service. David Blunden lead5 a Table Tennis group mainly of congregation members. We collected items for DENS at Haniest and forthe local Food Bank throughout the year. We again h05ted Beds & Herts Historic Churches Bike and Hike participants in September, providing them with refreshment and a chance to see the church building. Their sponsorshi p Is shared betwèèn participating churches, including ours, when in need of support in repairing the fabric of historic buildings. We have also added our details to the National Churches Trust's website Ilstlng of churches to visit. Ecumenlcal Caréy is a memberof Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead, which holds two forums per annum, enEaEe in occaslonal event5 and hav• a public Easter Service of Wltness, which follows ourown Quiet Service on Good Friday. Although the majority of servlces were led by Colin Cartwright, Church memberchamlndrn Leenlyagoda supported Colin in preachin£ In mid-February, early March, early October, and end November. On 29th December Gill Blunden arra nged a "Songs of Praise" seniice similar to that at a previous New Year. Among organisations that v151ted our seNices to tell of their work or gave an address was: In January, Boris Skvortsov, UK Dlrertor of Jews for Jesus,. the Communi¢)n offering was glven for the support of thelr work. Others takin8 our 5ervlces when Colln was elsewhere were:. Pr¢f Les Ebdon at end February, Bob Llttle of Marshalswick Baptlst Church St Albans In Apfil, Rev. Ray Ashley-Brown, chaplain at St Francis Hosplce in Mayi and Harold Liberty of Walsworth Road. Hitchin also in May. As part of Herts preacher exchange, Danny Smith from Marshalswid¢ Baptist Church visited in lune. In July, services were led by Rev. Simon caer from Watford, formerly minister of Dagnall Street Baptlst Church, St Alban5, and Rev. Stephen Ccpson from CBA. Rev Davld Ronco eam• from Hoddesdon in August, Glll & Russell Ashley-smlth of Operation A8rl celebrated our Covenant Senilce in October, We thank them all for the variety of worship that they offered. Our weeklv newsletter is our main communication link. Edited by Rosemary Hall, thos is emailed to members and available at seNlces. More data is also on 0urchuh websi¢e: htt www.care contactforthose new to Hemel seekin8 a Chrfstlan fellowship. W0h1p Weekly Sunday morning worshlp has contlnu8d generally in the main Sanctuary, wlth a monthly Communlcn servlce. Having begun to put weekly sound recordings and transcripts of sermons on the Church webslte durlng Covld, thls contlnued, as did provlslon of a Zoom connection to live servieès. Some winter-time services were held in the Memorial Hall, but attendance nurnbers have improved such that we are close to the Ilmlt of that hall's capacity. We generally Can achieve an acceptable level of warmth in the Sanctuary. We continued to make available and post prlnted copies ofthe Sunday talks and the weekly newslettèrfor thosè who are not able to access modern technology. Along with texts of Colin's sermon5 and talks published on the church webslte, we also continue to record our serv15 and make the recordin8S available there. These hybrid media of worsh5p ensured aur objective of providing spiritual and practical support to those both withln and beyond the church. Our Music Group supports services by playing modem songs and traditional hymns on keyboard. piano or organ as appropriate. together with flute and guitsr. We have a number of members able to lead the singing, especially when introducin8 new music to the congre8ation. On thJ5e Sundays when our Mlnlster is elsewhere, visiting preachers, different prnaching 5tyJes can be appreciated and their choice of music accomm¢)dated. tisthemel.o whlch Is a channel of
ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE Our CIO had a membership of 63 people in Decèmber 2024. Typical attendance at the rnain seNice of worship lincludin8 those via Zoom): 55 total, made up of 7 children up to age 11, 3 young people {age 12- 171, 8 young adult5 lage 18-301, 19 adult5 lage 31- 64), and 18 seniors {age 65). Durin8 2024 we gained four new Church Members by Baptism, transfer, or by profession of falth. As part of his continuing ministerial development. our Minister Colin Cartwright has contlnued to research the life of William Carey, at the Angus Library In Oxford. Ecofriendly. In keeping with a vital aspect of within our new Mission Statements, Creatlon care, Carey has a Bronze Eco Church Award. Our Green Team continuesto work towards further reducing our carbon fcotprint and to achieve Silver. Recycling bins are now provided for a wider range of items, in¢ludin8 old spectacles, pens, printer cartridges, postage stamps. The Sanctuary heating wlth the new boilerf timerand temperature settings njns at a low level overnight laround 12°Cl. A slmilar level applies during the day in other areas when nobody is using our premises. We have been ralslngthe Sanctuary temperature forsunday worship, using the side entrance to retain warrnth through the winter, with fewer servlces held in the Memorial Hall. We have continued to replace lightSng with LED units. Most of our fluorescent Strip118htin8 unlts have now been replaced, along with the emergency lighting units. We strive to ensure that the bullding remains a5 energy efficlent as posslble. During the wlnter, the maln church doors have been kept closed and the Sanctuary accessed via the side door. We obtained a quotation to replace the wlndows In the Church Office. Dawson Room and Crèche whlch have leaky louvrèd v•ntilators, to complete our pro8fdmme of replacing sln8le with double -gla2ed units a¢ro55 the Halls. Bèln8 a Llsted 8ullding, there are a number of grants available for buildin8 maintenance, as well a5 potential VAT refunds. We are grateful to Kathleen McLeod for investlBatlng these potential Sources for projects improving the buildin85' insulation. Approximately £5,000 has been refu nded from VAT paid, Mlsslon 2023,5 report mentloned discusslons on how the church could furtherd•velop aspect5 of our new Misslon Staternent, under the headings of Nurture, Outreach, and Chlldren's and Youth work Contlnuing discussion resulted In further meetin85, whose coneluslons are summarlsed under ObJeGtives earlier In the report, Th• continuing outcome5 from the 2023 discussions included the following. The launch of a new and improved website for ourchurch, which is already seelng higher numbers of visitors to It. Use of the webslte for listlng meètlngs a nd providing plans and capacities of our room5 50 that potential user5 can see opportunlties to use our buildings for their actlvlties. Greater Involvement of our youn8 people In Sunday worship, partlcularly the monthly all-age services. Increased input by members to Sunday worship• to ensure that the cultural diversity of our church Is more reco8nised and celebrated. More pnyer meetings orzanised on Zoorn. to deepen the prayer life of our church, as well a5 Blble studies to encourage our spiritual growth in Christ and to develcp deeper fellowship, Prayers for help and heallng at the end of all 5ervlees. Appointment of a Child ren's, Youth and Families Worker. Initial finance for thls came from a generous gift from Chesham Baptist Church. Its success has led us in 2024 towards applying for grant to support forthe worker for three years from 2025. This would only cover half the c05t, SO we are exploring other fund raising opportunities. Other actions arising from the review Included: 11 Extendlng our Church profile to include a comrnunity profile, to Shape our thinkinB and prayers. 21 A revitalised welcome tearn, with a nevKomeradoption scheme, including cards recording visitors, details. 31 Obtain opinions of families with children who Come to Careyi including attenders at our Ba by & Toddler Group. 61 Wider planning of Sunday momlng worship, notably outreach opportunities forthe church around Christma5, Easter and HaNest. 7) A review of ourchurch meetings, to attract more people to share in our de¢islons about Care¢s life & mission.
Refurblshment/Redevelopment We keep on top of the refurbishment of the church and rear buildings. We now have internet withln the church premises, providing coverage in the majority of the meeting rooms, another feature widening the potential room usage. A new digital projector with better illumlnatlon has improved legibility of songs and video on screen. We continue to keep expenditure on the buildings at a minlmum, while dealing with critical repairs, Finding craftspeople to do the work has been challenging, but have several contractors on whom we can rely, thanks to our surveyorfor our Quinquennial Report. Fortunately, Trinity Baptist Church Chesham, In releasing funds at its closure. granted us £20,000 to support our maintenance work. This has been used fcr work at the Manse, and replacement of eléetrical distribution boards to reduce fire risk. We have been successful in some grant a pplications and in having VAT refunded for Listed Bui Iding work. The number of organisations using our buildings has almost returned to pre-covid levels. We have two other churches that use the premises on Sundays. While increasing our income via morè lettin8S IS attractive, it places a more demanding modem approach to Health & Safety matters. This triggered the electrlcal dlstribution boards update following our 5-year suThey. We are also followi ng up on actions from review of our fire risk5 and emergency lightin& Signs and exits. Wlth additlonal grant support, we hope to place the opening louvred windows in the Dawson and Crèche rooms land In the Church Office) with sealed double-glazed units to make them both warmer and cheaper to heat. They wlll be sultable for letting for small groups. We contlnued to malntaln the Manse forour Minister. Aside from routine malntenance, we have dealt with water leaks in the lean-to section between the back door and the 8ara8e, as well as resealing the garage roof. We have renewed sealing and some units of the double glazin8. The Belmont Road manse In Newell Road is being let through an agent to tena nts. Current malntenance needs include., repainting of the roof and window soffits. The front garden wall foundations and need for kitchen refurbishment are belng monltored. RE PLAN It Is intended that we continue with refurbishment and increasing the energy efficiency of the church In order to make It more comfortable and appealingto both the congregatlon and communlty. We wlll look to Increase the use of the sanrtuary and other rooms by communlty groups. The avallablllty of I nternet facilitles should be an attraction. We publicise the facllities we offer on our webslte. We are working to Improve our larEe Memorial Hall, either to replace the heating System or to Improve the roof Insulation. During 2024 the interlor was repainted. the floor was sanded and sealed, and the roof exterior repaired followin8 leaks. These works would be financed bya combination of fund rdislng and grants forthe larger projects. FINANCIAL REVIEW The inspected Statement of Flnanclal Activitles 2024 is published in a separnte docurnent containing the details of Income and Expenses, and the Balance sheet. It 15 annexed to this one. LUNTEERS We would like to thank all ourvolunteer5 who work so hard to make ourchurch the lively and vibrant community it Is. RE GOVERNAN EAND MANA EMENT Carey Baptist Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and we adopted the Baptist Approved Governing Document as our Constitution. The method of appolntment forTrustees is set out in ourconstitution, Each of the Trustees has been appointed by a vote of the membership at our Annual General Meeting. All those who attend our services are encouraged to becorne members ofthe Church.
The Trustees are responsible for rnaking dec15ions on all matters of importance and general concern on behalf of the Church whilst ensuring that, where necessary, memberg votes are required to decide important issues. The Trustees have rnet fate to face and on Zoom 12 times during the 12-month period of this Report, with an average level of attendance above 80%. Six Church members, meetings were held on Zoom and face to face durln8 the same period. All Trustee5 give their time freely with no remuneration being paid. Administrdtive Information The named Charity is Carey Baptist Church, Hemel Hempstead Address: Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead. HPI ILD. which is the correspondence address. Charity Registration number 1188844. The following members have seried as elected Trustees through the reportin8 period: Gill Blunden Kay Gobby (from November 20241 Hilary Donovan (resigned November 20241 Raphael Feml-ola Colin Hughes Aquila Leeniyagoda Bhagya Leeniyagoda Margaret Lye Kathleen McLeod Obed Sardar Shlrléy 5ebuliba Reverend Colin Cartwright as Mlnisterchairs the meeting Approved by the Trustee5 on cf_(gE Slgned on thelr behalf by the followln8 Trustees:
CHARITY COMMISSIO FOR ENGLANO ANO WAIE Charlty number ¢10 11B8814 ments accounts Recei ts and CC16a For th? perlod 01KJI4 3 I112f2024 To Section A Receipts and payments Unr••tn"¢t¢d R4stnGted Eftaowmeftt find• fund• fund• )th• n••w••t E tolh• 1£ to th• rb•sr•Bt£ lothe 4Wmt£ to th• n•ar••t £ Totsl ¢und• L••t y••r Al R•celM• Accruad Gfft ahj 5&325 1S.837.01 16,037 17.07199 t2.4M.57 Camp cyenmg b•l•nc4 Children's & FarnY workgr 285 00 5.tt.49 5.519.34 ZBS 55,904.14 111.428.95 1,000.C() 20,442.78 18,521.20 3,834.61 446 08 l.J72 Grani In¢ryno Incomo from Nvwell Ro4d Lèttings ML8c Inccffj• Olhor 1ft&t 5,619 23.4C(I. 24.546.fO 2.0&8.18 X046 IM.71 ffjss Incom ARJ 107.172 27.930 13$,102 18a,661 ••• tsbl• 131,102 A3 P•vm•nts 8ook8 and Statyon•ry C¥rnp Expen009 Church klVrt8 Conlw8nc• •ndAuwrW I••J Dongtttins •nd ¢Jkrtl MceWaneo Nawo11 Road Expon8e• CperaliThJ Co¥ Rgpalrs, Malnt•nanc ar R•d•rAYatK Subscdploni & Uc4nses Sundri81 Uvlit 23 1B.717 607 17.51785 893.e6 17.818 -195 eo 1(Q.C•J 8,046.( 43,340.75 IOD 44225 43.341 39,902 4,384 24 18,11132 16.791.87 2,843.34 293 20 17.448.48 231 76 J,172 18.709.eo 36.101 33,942 2,082 12 13,037 17M12 iPAJ.00 473 17.441 1&240 I8.tX) srt+ to 1Q9.TD7 180,191 153,510 Al A••et and Inve•tm•nt Sub lotsl 109.797 $6,394 1fj6,191 158.516 Net 0fre¢wp(PayMen1sJ AS TrnnsfvvB b¥twwn funds A6 Cash funds last yèar •nd Cash funds thls yvar•nd 28.464 700 31. 700 13. 1.334.107 1.348h74 31, CCXX Rl acujunts ISSI wt012026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unre•trict•d lund& n•aY•4t£ R•strict•d fundx Endowm•nt fund Bl Cash tund• 13 71,476 Toll cash funds 13.868 71.476 ¥mrt($11 Endowmènt lundo to n•pTM¢£ fvnd• Detaits Fund to wh6ch lu• Detalls ry¢F•ty I Trt B2 Inv••tm•nt •M•l• 4QO,000 BUCI Ioflkh IM•t b•lo ewr•M ¥•J• D•ia¢ls B4 A•••ts r•t•ln•d for th• ¢h•rlty'8 own u•• 0,000 Oy BVC) Mona• l Frw1y W nl Tmt 378,QC¥I FurA1 knwhkh Amount d wh du• Details B6 Ll•blllti G1 Fund 7.4 z•z• Srned by or gr trusleo8 ¢ half of all tr• trust• SiJn8tu Prfnl Name Date of roval D3'10'ZolS 14ÈLEoE) Co LJhJ id &s CCXX R2 accounts ISSI
Independent examinef's Statsment I have examined the accounts ano relevant uments presented to me. by the Trustees of Carey Baptist chr(h, Hemel Hempstead ICIO), together viith cli4rifyinq explanab.ons and. In my view. the accounts present a true and fair vie1% of th• financial affairs of the said Churcli for the period l Janvary 2024 to 31 December 2024. In conncction with my examination, no niatter has come to my attention.. la) which gives me iea50nable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the Trustees liave not met the requirements-. to keep ac.counting rc(¢yds In accordance with Seciion 144 of the 2011 Cliarities Act,. and tn prepare aicounts which accord with the accounling records and comply with tlie a(counting requiremtints of the Charities Ac.t 2011 {bl or to whicli, in my opinion. attention should bp. drawn in (yder to enable a proper understanding of tho accounts to be reacl)ed. Signod: Andrew Barton B¢Jlmont Road Baptist Church (CIO) - Flemel Hempstead