Woodberry Down Baptist Church Charity Number 1189018 Trustees Report 2023 Principal Trustees: Lola Maselino, Jennifer Jones, Bryan Sycamore, Trevor Davis Rev. Charles Mugenyi 190 Vartry Road London N15 6HA
The WOOdbe Down Bap(is1 Church (Church) 's principal purpose is advancing the Christian faith accordin8 to the principl¢s ofihe Baptists. The Church Also advances edu¢aiion and carries out other charitablc purposes in the United Kiiigdom andlor other parts of the world. In fulfilling the Purpose of th¢ Church, we engage in a range of activities and sometimes partner with other organismiions to fulfill ihe church's vision and plan. These will vary from tirne to time with activities being initiated, cxpanded: or closed, as appropriate. The church's princip&l activities include- • regular public worship. praver. Bible study, pr¢aching and teaching; baptism by immersion. child dedication, wedding, funeral. evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and intemationally. Ihe teaching, encouragement, and welcoming of ¢hildren and young p¢ople; edu¢ation and training for Christian and community seTh'ice' supporting and encouraging charitable social a¢tion in the Unit¢d Kingdom and abroad- offering pasioral eare, eneouraging relationships with and supporting boih other Christians and those of no faith. We give thanks to God who has gathered us lo serve Him, as we seek io s¢rvc one another and the wider community. As a community of faith, we are still reelingT from the pand¢mic lockdowns that have impacted church commiiment and attendance in general. Having said that however, the church continucs to strive thanks to ils committed members and visitors. Over the past year. the church welcomed som¢ ne, families and reiurning adherents inio membership which is ind¢ed a sign ot renewal.
A Culture ofcare Our main objective in 2023 was to build a Culture ol'care and support. ci)couraging people to return to nom)ality following tl)c most difficult s¢astTrns of life where man),. up and doii"n the Lounlry, were cc)crccd ihr()ugh public opinion into isolation. Several Inember5 are siill not contident eiiough lo tak¢ a¢live rol¢s in th¢ lif¢ of the church. Sadly a few are still not willing to return to public worship and or other church life a¢tivilies. The Generational Gap Anoth¢r asp¢¢t of our objectives is to address the widening generational gap in church attendance, activity. and involvement. Seniors were and still ar¢ gripped by the pandcmic fw of crowds and choose to sta). away from ¢ommunity-facing projects. The young generation seems to have found new ways of connecting to others socially through th¢ internet instead of th¢ traditional physical presence and ¢ngagement. This new reality engagement {rx)st-pand¢mic and lockdown) is challengingi ihe Chh on how to in¢lude young people meaningfully in the life of the church. A significanl number of our young people show signs of diminished ¢ommunication skills and interaction abilities. Ertg#ging the wbole Chureb Part of our Culture of care and diminishing the generntional gap in church life is to develop 2nd promote Community-facing activities and minisiry. These events or activities offer contacts the opportunities for development and challenge aspecls of isol&tion and abandonment. These activities are two-pronged in that they offer platfonns for engagement and serving others and in $0 doing offering caring for both the service givers and beneficiaries. F.vent* and Activitiey Community Outreach provides opportunitics to meet with people from diverse ba¢kgrounds and talk alx)ut life issues and battles that affect families and communities.
The oulr¢ach offers invitstions to consider the Christian faith and worldview in addressing life battl¢s Ot right and wrong. The Recovcry Program provided an opwrttbnity and activities to reach out to the community who are suff¢ring From life-controlling addictions and habit5. Hosting groups like Teen Challenge to address issues of addictions of all sorts, crime, and punishm¢nl, and support for thos¢ who are choosing to walk away from destnjclive and criminal lifestyles. Hearing testimonials of rndical transfornialion. The Children's Club offers opportunities for parents and families to meei and provide a needed service for the children to en8age in stimulating games, play schemes, and learn new skills. Sunday School- this popular weekly provision is more than a beautiful bible story tim¢. li includes kids doing group activities. and singing imaginativ¢ songs. It is a plaiforn] for children to develop social skills and other abilities. Advocating for and inviting triends to the Menl Women and HealihlWelln¢ss events inforni, educate, equip, and strengthen ¢omtnunities with positive living and respect for healthy lifestyles. (jiving to missions Ihat are reaching out with God's love to their respective audiences. Food PaelS - th¢ church donates small food parcels and hygiene pn)ducts to individuals in need. Pastoral visitations to those in distress and their families, usually followin8 a long illness, etc or bereavement. Vartry community residents - we supporl our Ial communiry and ils social action events whiLh aim to bring neighbours together through the "Know Your Neighbour" and care for our ¢ommunity and residents. These and other activities constitute some of th¢ work that we have undertaken to fulfill our mission. goals. and purpose.
ChildrL'n's Club- Lego 'I'hese are kids, day ¢lubs that we run with our partners during the school half-lcnn i*eeks and arouiid Bank holidays. These clubs are for primary school kids and their families. where children get to play with a rarkge of legos, and craft%, sing and take part in the bible story times. and rcceive prizes. The Recovery ProgranL The R¢cov¢ry Prograin has been running since Scoember 2018. It is a ministry for those who are struggling 1th d¢stru¢tiv¢ and unwanted life-controlling habits and are seeking to lurn away from them so they can live a more abundant and useful lifc. This progrdm is based on th¢ 12-step program for alcoholics. However, the key component is that it is for those who believe that or want to try out God through J¢sus as th¢"higher power" The programEne is run by compassionate workers and volunieers who all experienced at some point in their lives, some of the issues that those who ihey are geekin8 to help are Struggling with. The i¢am aims to lead participants in a way that honors God and brings them out of E%)ndage from destructive habits into a better way of living. Leading them to be able to manage lif¢ well and be a blessing to their families and communities. The programme rnns Monday, Tuesday. Thursday, and Saturd&y with an average attendance of 20 - 25 people each week. Fcedback from some of the Recovery Program Participants "Helped me rrdin my mipzd ic) be Jvlf-uware 'The cotsrse aceessible and relaiable, li helped me to evaluate ry own life "I likedworking in.smaller group.s il madc li ea9ier io talk in smallergrouBf, we had more limefor conversations WÉ. were ICSJ 5L.If-LOnSLiV The pastor on behalf of the trustees and members appr¢¢i&tes everyone who supportcd. participated, and prdyed for one or a number of these activities and events.
You will note trom th¢ accompanying accounts and the llldependent Examiner's report that the church's accounts are in good stead. However, note thai the general income has dipFd from the previous year due to ityegular giving and attendance, and the general economic downturn following the pandemic. However, overall the church is in a good financial position lo continue its mission and actlVl¢ies. The trustees and church athninislraiors (who compiled our ac¢ounts) are managing the chur¢h funds pnjdently. Signed.. Trustee Name.. Charles Mugenyi, Pastor Date= 0610412024
Woodbery Down Baptist Church Receipts and Payments Account for the period endlng 31 December 2023 2023 Restricted Funds 2022 Total Funds Unrestrfcted Funds Total Funds Incomln resourcas Tithes and Donations Hall Hire Recove ecls Gift Aid Ref¥Jnrt Other income T¢)tals 62,104 5.231 67.335 420 3.992 39.7_44 7,013 118,495 81.746 3,992 26.875 39,734 107.598 10.897 108.621 Out oin resOue$ Pastorate costs 33,405 33.405 32,055 Activities in relatson lo the work of WDBC J5,094 18,334 53,427 71,125 Totsls 68,499 18J34 86033 103.18 Nel Incomings for the year 39.099 -7.437 31,662 5,441 Adjustment lo totsl bank balance I9.2) Balances as at l January Balances as at 31 December 165,726 36,350 202,076 177J45 28,913 233,7311 202,076 Assets as at 3tyiy2023 2023 201,402 32,335 233,738 2022 169.825 32,250 202,076 Current bank account balance Deposit bank account balance Total bank balances Flxed Assèts Church building lestimatedl Manse lestimatedl Other assets Ib35ed on asset register) 3,0,C4)0 450,000 32.046 Approved by Name Designatlon.. I ru-3FL Date.. 21 / oi(104
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees of Woodbury Down Baptist Church
On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above church for the year ended 31 December 2023
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the church, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the church’s accounts carried out under 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(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date: 08 March, 2024
Name: Teshale Joba
Address: 39 South Grove, London, N15 5QG