Abbotsham BaPSt Church Annual Report forthe year 2025 (Jwrity Number 1191292 Reglstered Addrs- Greendiff Lane. Abbotsham. Bideford. Devon EX39 SAP Mr G Williams, secretary Mrs J Jones. treasUr Mrs M Tumer Membershlp-There are currently 17 members. Regular Sunday Service attendante is around 30 people. Prlncipal purpose5 of the Church The advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The advanment of Christian education and other Christian charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The Trustees have read the Charity Comrnission guidance on public benefft, and are satisfied that the activities outlined below cleady demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefft to the public. It is the view of the Trustees that the Churth continues to be a going conrn. financially, spiritually and in temis of numbers attending regular 5eNice Chur¢h zoveman The church has a formal Constitution which confo$ to the recommended con5tttution for Baptist churches who are in association with the Baptist Union of Great Britain. It is available from the church on request. Trustees. Common cald deacons. are elected by the church meeting which Is the meeting of church members. The tern) of Offi for a trustee is three years. A trustee must be church member. Anyone who is a regular attendee of the thurth and confesses Jesus as their personal Saviour, according to traditional Baptist beliets. is eligible to apply for membership. It is the church meeting vthich is the final authority in the church under Christ. The trustees are responsible for the day to day running of the church and are accountable to the church meeting. The Trustee5 are resw)nsible in for the decisions made by the (hurth. seICe5 take place every Sunday at 10=30 am. Holy Communion is celebrated on the third Sunday of the month. Services are led by members of our own fellowship and by a known and trusted small 8roup of visiting speakers including some registered Baptist ministers. Worshlp and teachlng Sunday morning services are %Yarni. relaxed times where everybody is valued. The servi$ embrace people's personal circumstances. often including humour, are focused on Jesus and our relationship with him as well as thanksgiving and prayer for the needs of the world. There is plenty of time after 5ervlces to develop relationships and when wanted to re1Ve personal prayer or support. The main theme5 for the preachinglteachin8 during 2024 have been: The major annual Christian festivals: The gospel of Luke; The reign of King Saul-
The work of the Holy Spirit in Acts: The identity of Jesus Christ in Luke: The incamation of Jesus Christ As a fellowship we also place an emphasis on inbrytstion and hospitality as a first way to include addItnal people into church life. The midweek home group that rneets on the first and thlrd weeks of the month is a lovely opportunity for relaxed fdlowship in the home of a thurch couple in Abbotsham. It normally includes a time of singin& some video tuition based upon a biblical theme and prayer. There are also tlmes vthen the group meet for a shared meal. The group is open to all with usually about 12 people in attendance. A rnonthly prayer meeting tskes place In the cPe1 on the 2 Tuesday of the month at 10.thm. This has encouragingty grovm in attendarKe during the year. Partnershlp wlth Chrfstlan orp)1sailons and tharltles We partner with several local church groupings which indudes: South West Baptlst Associakn, Torridge Christian Network, Torridge Baptist Churches. North Devon Baptist Cluster meetings. Mid and North Devon Rural Churth Partnership and Counties {a UK eValell$tI¢ network). There s a 8rowir& partnership with St Helen's Abbotsham Parish Church which includes a village carol service, shared social links and an inforrnal wor5hlp monthly service entTtled Thirstf. There is also now a regular mid-weekvillage prayer meeting held in various homes for Christians whatever their church allegiance. We support financialty and with prayer both kKal and overseas missionary projects. L[allY this includes: Baptist Home Mission. Christians against Poverty. Counties and David Symons. Intemationally we support: Baptlst Missionary Society. Al Massira now known as"Journey Tcoether, Mission Aviation Fellowship. Hope from Akne. Open Doors, Tearfund. Renée and Terry [k)r (Nepal). We aim to be an inclusive church. To this end this we are intentionally dementia friendly. We have joined the Yelcome Directorf aimed at welcoming and supporting people leavin8 piison. We have a small Pastoral Care team. As a small Fellowship we all aim to look out for each other. but the Pastoral Care team are aydilable to tske the lead ¥yhen needed. When needed the pastoral care team support people through home vtslts, telephone ca115 and prayer. To enable attendance at church services and events lrfts are gNen to those who are unable to drive. and support the use of a tsxi when this is more appropriate. Birthday cards continue to be sent to all regular attendees. from the whole Fellowship. whh are also appreciated. It has been 4nother good year for the Church. Safe8u¥dl The safeguardlng ststernent is in the churth entrance. During the year key people have attended updated safeguardin8 training. The thurch also two qualified first aiders. Chlldren and Yty
The church does not have a regular children's or youth group. However, we a able to provide for hildren of all ages and will LN)ok the villa8e hall in advance rf we know of any young people attending our Services. Communi¢*ion The principal forms of communitation are through a weekty emailed newsletter which includes a daily prayer diary and FabOOk weekly uwlots During the year the website was suspended for redesigning it will be relaunched in early 2026. Trustees and Church Member meetw The Trustees meet on monthly basis to ensure the smooth administration of the church. Church Members. meetin85 are bi-month, one of whbch i5the Annual General Meeting. Church Member Meetings a held in person in the chapel. Premises The chapel building is in good condition. Regular maintenance tskes pla with a priority gNen to safety issues. Plans are in Pla to Internal redecorate the chapel and improve the disabled parking area. 6-4y F LÉI Geoffrey Willian Church Secretsry on behalfof the Tntstees Sq-01-%& Date
ABBOTSHAM &APTIST CHURCH: 21r25 STATEMEKf OF Accoupirs 01th25-31.1225 RFts Off¢thgs 4419.99 6070. I15.( Giwng Grft AVJ Tax Refund Sub Total TOTAL 26093.82 26093.82 14317.0) Tea¢lwrKJ Lllilits8s caning 2(K17.40 1713.es 1102.50 1865.96 Admin Traning Equwnt Building Totsl 1e68.88 28150.84 .2057.02 Balan bth%¥l add receipts ie55 P8ym8nts clng Bart 13735.49 28150.84 11678.47 20591.95 52.41 28.e7 Totsl elt J1.1225 31267.47 Interu103.032S 1rt8rest W2.25 Irera6t 06.0925 20591.95 28_67 2867 E.J•
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Report of the Independent Examiner for the deacons and members of Abbotsham Baptist Church