Abbotsham BaP￿St Church
Annual Report forthe year 2025
(Jwrity Number 1191292
Reglstered Addr￿s- Greendiff Lane. Abbotsham. Bideford. Devon EX39 SAP
Mr G Williams, secretary
Mrs J Jones. treasU￿r
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 advan￿ment 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 con￿rn. 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￿ cal￿d 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.
se￿ICe5 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 re￿1Ve 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
addIt￿nal 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 c￿Pe1 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 eVal￿ell$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. wh￿h 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 Fa￿bOOk 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
R￿Fts
Off¢thgs
4419.99
6070.
I1￿5.(￿
Giwng Grft AVJ
Tax Refund
Sub Total
TOTAL
26093.82
26093.82
14317.0)
Tea¢lwrKJ
Lllilits8s
c￿aning
2(K17.40
1713.es
1102.50
1865.96
Admin
Traning
Equw*nt
Building
Totsl
1e68.88
28150.84
.2057.02
Balan￿ bth%¥l
add receipts
ie55 P8ym8nts
cl￿ng B￿art
13735.49
28150.84
11678.47
20591.95
52.41
28.e7
Totsl
elt J1.1225
31267.47
Interu103.032S
1rt8rest W2.￿25
Ir*era6t 06.0925
20591.95
28_67
2867
E.J•
>>7J•
I q J•rt4V

Report of the Independent Examiner for the deacons and members of Abbotsham Baptist Church