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2021-12-31-accounts

Annual Report

The Lightwave Community

Bishops Mission Order and Charitable Incorporated Organisation

2021 FINAL

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Contents Contents Contents
1 Welcome and Introduction to Lightwave .................................................................................. 3
1.1 What Lightwave Groups do ............................................................................................. 3
1.2 What happens in a Lightwave group meeting? ................................................................. 3
1.3 Transforming practices ................................................................................................... 4
2 Governance & Structures ........................................................................................................ 4
3 Lightwave Groups and Hubs in 2021........................................................................................ 5
3.1 Some facts and figures ................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Red Lodge Lightwave Rural Hub ...................................................................................... 6
3.3 Emerge Lightwave Rural Hub (Otley/Playford area) .......................................................... 7
3.4 Bungay Lightwave Rural Hub .......................................................................................... 8
3.5 South Hartismere Connect .............................................................................................. 9
3.6 Chadbrook Benefice Mini-Hub ......................................................................................... 9
3.7 Place by the Water (formerly known as Farm by the Water)............................................ 10
3.8 Pilgrims Together ......................................................................................................... 10
3.9 Lightwave Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy ..................................................................... 10
3.10 Safe Harbour ............................................................................................................... 11
3.11 Other Lightwave Groups active in 2021 .......................................................................... 11
4 Central Activities supporting Lightwave Groups and Rural Hubs ............................................... 12
4.1 Prayer ......................................................................................................................... 12
4.2 Communications and County-wide events. ..................................................................... 12
4.3 Leadership Development............................................................................................... 13
4.4 Stewardship and fundraising ......................................................................................... 13
4.5 Chaplaincy at Suffolk New College – Suffolk Rural .......................................................... 13
4.6 LoveRural: Making Jesus visible through loving service ................................................... 13
5 Discernment and planning for the future… ............................................................................. 14
5.1 Where are we seeing God at work? ............................................................................... 14
5.2 What do we sense God is teaching us about approach? .................................................. 14
5.3 What patterns of support help people to grow as leaders? .............................................. 15
5.4 Vision for 2030 ............................................................................................................. 16
5.5 Planning for the future: ................................................................................................ 16
6 Final Reflections ................................................................................................................... 17
7 Finance, Giving and Stewardship ........................................................................................... 18
7.1 Growing in God in the Countryside ................................................................................ 18
7.2 Lightwave Community Financial Review ......................................................................... 18
7.2.1 Income .................................................................................................................... 18
7.2.2 Expenditure .............................................................................................................. 19
7.2.3 Reserves Policy ......................................................................................................... 19
7.3 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Lightwave Community CIO ........... 20
7.3.1 Basis of Independent Examiner's report ..................................................................... 20
8 Glossary/Definitions .............................................................................................................. 23

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1 Welcome and Introduction to Lightwave

Welcome to the 2021 Report for the Lightwave Community. Lightwave is church with a difference. It is a dispersed Christian community, meeting in small groups working alongside more traditional ways of doing church. We believe our calling is to shine the light of Jesus across Suffolk, through acts of kindness and practical service as well as worship and witness. We have a special heart for rural areas.

Lightwave’s small groups aim to make new disciples mainly among those who for one reason or another would not become regular members of a parish-based congregation, and to help members to engage more deeply in discipleship and mission. As such, they are also an ideal way of developing and sustaining the ministry of a core team for a fresh expression of Church or community initiative.

Lightwave Rural Hubs are churches whose vocation is to reach out through to those who are not yet part of any church, across rural areas and networks considerably bigger than that of a benefice. Hubs are developing for the areas around Red Lodge, Emerge (west of Woodbridge) and Bungay, with mini-hubs developing in South Hartismere, Chadbrook and Place by the Water in Shottisham. As these hubs grow, they will provide critical mass and support for particular activities and demographics which may not be catered for in many small rural churches. In this, they will work in partnership and seek to complement the ministries of other churches in the wider rural area.

1.1 What Lightwave Groups do

Lightwave groups do the essential things of church – but in a whole variety of different ways, suited to the needs of their members and the context of a small group who get to know each other well.

Anyone who wants to can join one of our small groups. People do not need to be a Christian or have faith to be part of Lightwave – if someone would like to explore with us what it means to experience and speak God’s light in our communities that is enough. Having said that, many Lightwave members are also very active members of another church (most often Church of England but other kinds too) and find that being part of a Lightwave group helps them with the everyday task of putting faith into practice. Each group is strongly encouraged to support and work closely together with a local church or churches.

Some people would not be part of a church at all if it were not for Lightwave. Our aim is also that people who cannot get to Sunday worship or who don’t connect with traditional forms of church, will find in Lightwave friends to explore the journey of faith with them.

1.2 What happens in a Lightwave group meeting?

They’re all different - but the leadership team and our training encourage a weekly pattern like this:

Welcome - time to chat and generally "catch up" (when not online, often over food and drink).

Worship - time to focus on God and become aware of his presence, giving thanks, leaving behind the business of our day, and allowing him to touch and refresh us and realign our will to his.

Word - This is the Bible bit. We use discussion and activities to help us understand a passage or a subject . Our emphasis is practical – what difference will what we learn make to our lives?

Witness - Showing God’s love for our friends and neighbours. This includes praying for the needs of people, giving practical help and providing opportunities for people who want to explore faith. Many Lightwave groups will be the team for a fresh expression of Church such as Messy Church or Cafe Church which provides these opportunities.

Lightwave groups have a lot of fun together - barbeques, bonfires, carol singing, crafting, musicmaking, lazer-quest and creation care. These are great times to invite friends and neighbours who might not normally feel comfortable to get involved with church events.

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1.3 Transforming practices

“The most important commandment,” said Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” Mark 12.29-31

These commandments reflect Jesus’ values – what was important to him: a high view of God, a high view of others, a high view of ourselves, and sacrificial love. We believe that these values can be used to set a life-giving framework in which people can grow and help others to do the same. In Lightwave, they are reflected in a simple set of practices for the small groups:

A ll Involved – Everyone is included and valued, whoever they are. Everyone has a role to play.

B ecoming Disciples – The purpose of the group is to encourage us to love and live more like Jesus.

C reating Community – We will “be real” with each other - honest about the things we go through ourselves and to respond in a loving way to each other. Caring for each other enables us to care for our wider community too.

D oing Evangelism – Being as well as telling good news together. Giving other people the opportunity to learn about Jesus (not everybody likes the word ”evangelism” but really it is just about being the very best of good news for people in what we do and say

E ncountering God – Meeting with God. It is God who helps us and changes us.

2 Governance & Structures

The Lightwave Community was started through a nationally funded project called “Growing in God in the Countryside” (GiGitC). The project is all about making new disciples in the countryside – It does this by supporting a rich variety of ways of doing rural church which make a greater diversity of new disciples and disciple-making leaders in the countryside. Just over £2m of Church Commissioner’s Strategic Development Funding [SDF] was allocated to support the 6-year project (2019-2024). The project has 2 workstreams:

i) development of Lightwave as countywide Fresh Expressions Community ii) catalysing cultural transformation for rural mission within the diocese.

An important development for the Lightwave Community in 2021 was moving from being part of a nationally funded project to being a fledgling Christian community in its own right with its own governance and beginning on the road to financial sustainability. This was the conclusion of a process of consultation with the DBF and final approval by the Bishop’s Council in December 2020. In January 2021, we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and elected and appointed members of the “BMO Board” became Trustees on a new Lightwave Community Council. This gives Lightwave Community members the opportunity to discern together how God is leading us to continue shining his Light in Suffolk beyond the end of project funding in 2024 and to shape the community to be effective in making new disciples. We also have the opportunity to give to enable the work of Lightwave especially through the Hubs

The Council operates like a PCC for a parish church: it has the responsibility to implement the aims and objectives of Lightwave at an operational level, support Lightwave groups and Lightwave Community members, hold and manage finance and any property of the Lightwave Community, and employ any Lightwave Community. On the Council, up to 3 members are appointed by the bishop and up to 6 are elected for a term of 3 years (and can be re-elected for two further terms before having to stand down for a term). The council also has powers to co-opt members and have others in attendance.

The Suffolk Fresh Expressions Bishop’s Mission Order (BMO) held its 2021 Annual General Meeting on 25[th] May over zoom, including elections to the Lightwave Community Council. 31 people were present There were 57 people on the electoral roll.

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Those who have served on the CIO since the start of 2021 are shown below, including their date of appointment or resignation where relevant.

Title Forename Surname Position/Appointment Dates
Right Michael Robert Harrison Bishop’s Visitor
Reverend Dr
The Ven Canon Sally Ann Gaze Leader of Lightwave and Chair
Reverend Colin William Watkins Bishops Appointee - Ecumenical
Representative
Revd Canon Christopher Mark Scott
Robinson		 Bishop's Appointee
Mr Graham Reardon Bishop's Appointee (from June 2021)
Revd Canon Julia Lall Elected Representative
Mrs Claire Marshall Elected Representative
Mr David Theobald Elected Representative
Mr Robert James Hamilton Elected Representative
Mrs Sophie Charlton Until Feb 2021
Mr Peter Plummer Until Feb 2021

In attendance as non-voting members are: Nina Seaman – acting secretaryAndrew Gosden – Treasurer and Stewardship officer.

At the end of 2021 there were two casual vacancies, one of which was filled in Jan 2022 by Mr Stephen Went.

The “Growing in God in the Countryside” Project Core Team includes staff and volunteers who are serving the set-up of the Lightwave Community. Staff paid by the SDU funding are Andrew Gosden (Project Manager), Nina Seaman (Administrator and Prayer Coordinator), Becky Luetchford (Communications Missioner).

The SDF funding contributes (along with local fund raising) towards Alison Earl and Angela Finn (Red Lodge Lightwave Mission Assistants), funds Kathy Wilson, Emma Morris, Debbie Nicholls, Pam Tooks and Nicky Lawson as Rural Outreach Pioneers, and the Lightwave Rural Hub leaders Diane Grano, Ben Wale, and Josh Bailey (shared post with Bungay Benefice) and curates (shared with local churches), Revds Bob Molton and Tracey James

Key volunteers are Graham Miles, leading the Rural Chaplaincy Team Andrew Jarrold (Lead Chaplain for Suffolk Rural College in Otley) and Graham Reardon (Ambassador for Love Rural). This team, the leaders and curates at the Lightwave Hubs (see below) and the Lightwave Council Report to a Project Board, overseeing the fruitfulness of the Project and its use of the SDU funding which we were granted. The Project Board is chaired by Bishop Mike.

3 Lightwave Groups and Hubs in 2021

3.1 Some facts and figures

At the end of 2021, 23 groups were registered members of the Lightwave Community. 16 of these groups look to the Bishop’s Mission order for governance while 7 of these groups are registered Lightwave members under the governance of a local PCC. A further 10 active groups are not formally registered members but associate with Lightwave through training and support. This makes 33 active groups involved with the Lightwave Community – an increase of 12 over 2020. Another 15 potential groups are in an exploration phase, with many discussions ongoing.

We are delighted that 115 new disciples (both rural and from Ipswich) have begun to engage at some

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depth with Christian faith this year and 314 began this journey through the ministry of Lightwave since the community began. These new disciples are regularly committed to some form of worship (monthly or more) – at a Lightwave group, fresh expression of Church, parish Church or other congregation.

We are so grateful for all the prayer support we receive, and we currently have a Team of 31 Lightwave prayer supporters and 170 people receiving our prayer and events newsletter.

3.2 Red Lodge Lightwave Rural Hub
3.2 Red Lodge Lightwave Rural Hub
In 2021 we have revived previous contacts and activities as COVID
lockdown regulations allowed. This included the youth café, holiday
club, participation in Youth Alive gathering, Youth Faith Focus group
and Sunday Breakfast chat for families.
There is evidence of growth in all areas of discipleship. The Red Lodge
team are grateful for God’s abundant provision and blessing.
Lightwave Groups in 2021 Outreach Focus
Blaze Children Key Stage 1
Ignite (aka Faith Focus aka Photography) Children Key Stage 2
Hope Tweens & teens (Key Stage 3) Youth Café
Book Club (Mixed group-online) Café/ Foodbank/ CAP
Truth Quest (Leaders) Café/ Foodbank/ CAP
Mikey's Men (Zoom-Men)-aka Martin's Men Café/ Foodbank/ CAP/ Men's Den
Lou's Ladies (aka Maxine's ladies) Café/ Foodbank/ CAP
Angie's Friends (online-mixed) Café/ Foodbank/ CAP
Alison's Friends-The Prayer Course Café/ Foodbank/ CAP
Bob's Friends-Beck Row youth Café

Thank God for…

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3.3 Emerge Lightwave Rural Hub (Otley/Playford area)

Hub leaders Ben and Leanne Wale began work with the project in late 2020 and moved into area (Playford) in May 2021. During the year, circumstances have led to a change of role for Leanne from co-leader of the hub to licensed pioneer for which she reports to Ben

Ben and Leanne developed a vision for “Emerge” “a multi-generational community following Jesus and serving our local area alongside established churches with acts of kindness and generosity, especially with young adults, schools, young families and teenagers.”

An enlarged leadership team was established in Jan 2022.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach Focus
Gather (Kesgrave) CAP & Childrens activities
Kesgrave / Fynn Valley Fynn Valley Walkers
Lightwave Youth (Otley) Fri Youth
Otley Lightwave Group Wild Church, 40 Days of Kindness, Carols
Started 2022
Witnesham Post Alpha In development
Emerge Leadership Little Borrowers
Emerge Alpha Community Listening

Thank God for…

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3.4 Bungay Lightwave Rural Hub

A full-time incumbent (Revd Josh Bailey) was recruited and licensed at the end of June 2021. Josh combines the work of a parish-priest (0.5 FTE – funded through parish share) with the establishing of Lightwave Rural Hub at Bungay (0.5 FTE – funded through the Growing in God in the countryside project), which makes new disciples and creates Christian community for and with people who were not previously part of any church.

Other key members of the Lightwave team include the churchwarden Stephen Went (Lightwave group leader) Pippy Bailey (developing work with parent and toddlers) and Jason Collins (appointed 1 day a week as Lightwave Administrator).

A vision for work in schools and community was discerned with Rev Edward and Mrs Heather Land and they will start work as Associate Vicar and Heather Land as part-time Community Choir Director, working with local schools particularly in May 2022.

Lightwave Groups in 2021 Outreach Focus
Bungay-Stephen's Walking Group Walking outreach, discipleship deepening
Trinity Toddlers Toddlers and their parents
Started 2022
Alpha and more

Thank God For

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3.5 South Hartismere Connect

South Hartismere Benefice consists of 8 churches, 11 communities and 4 Church of England Primary Schools close to the Norfolk town of Diss.

The vision of the Benefice is to enable more people to know the love of Jesus and become active disciples through CONNECT- a weekly fresh expression of church, - same time, same place, with the same team - to encourage people of all ages to connect in whatever way they want to. It is a fluid session with a range of activities, culminating in a short act of worship. It an opportunity for people of all ages to build friendship, create community and explore church. People can just pop in for a hot drink, cakes and a chat with friends, and there is a play area for children. There are also activities inside and outside, and we finish with short, informal worship. People can ‘opt in’ to any of the activities and the worship.

During the Pandemic the hub had to respond to various restrictions, sometimes moving to outdoor activities, on - line sessions, a Zoom craft club, and delivering packs to families.

Debbie Nichols moved to Suffolk from St Albans Diocese and was licensed to work with the benefice as a licensed lay pioneer funded part-time by Lightwave as a Rural Outreach Pioneer, working specifically with Children and Families while completing her ordination training. She will be ordained as a Deacon and start work as a Lightwave Curate in the benefice in June 2022.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach focus
CONNECT small group Schools/ Family activities, Connect
Worship
Hopes for 2022
Lightwave Youth youth
Curate-led group Gislingham area

3.6 Chadbrook Benefice Mini-Hub

A new Lightwave mini-hub is developing in Chadbrook Benefice with two new Lightwave group registered – the Connect Toddler Group led by Pam Tonks and the 4 O’Clock Community led by Revd Matt and Nicky Lawson. Both Pam and Nicky are now being paid one day a week as Rural Outreach workers and significant fruit is already being seen with 23 new disciples (10 adults and 13 under 18) so far attending various groups and services.

The Connect Toddler Group meets weekly during term time and includes bible themed play and songs and child-friendly prayer – presenting opportunities for parents and children to be sign-posted to other events.

The 4 O’clock Community is looking to develop various forms of afternoon church or other event for young families – 4pm being an easier time for many families to attend as it does not clash with sport and other Sunday morning church activities. Activities will be a combination of socials, forest church and walks, Messy Church, Informal worship, and other activities. There is a desire to particularly support the growth of Christian community at Lawshall which has recently joined the benefice.

The group is particularly interested in working with the generations often missing from church which are already engaging in Messy Church, and also our toddler and youth groups.

Lightwave Groups 2021

4 O’Clock Community		 Whole families exploring faith
Connect Toddler Group- Toddlers and parents

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3.7 Place by the Water (formerly known as Farm by the Water)

Led by Kathy Wilson, a Rural Outreach Pioneer and licensed Lay Minister, and one of the leaders of Suffolk in Prayer. The Place by the Water offers a space for retreats, and runs a variety of faithbased or outreach activities, supported by a Lightwave Group. The Place by the Water has had a difficult year. Having moved largely online during Covid, Kathy was forced to leave the current rented house (also Kathy’s home) in April and since then there has been a time of waiting and discernment and looking for alternative opportunities, spaces. During this time the ministry online has grown including in many areas of training for Christians.

From Feb 2022 Kathy moved into the Rectory in Shottisham, which is rented from the DBF and part funded by money from donors through Lightwave. As well as growing the day-retreat ministry, Kathy is looking forward to working with the Wilford Peninsula Benefice and seeing how the gifts of the Place by the Water can complement and strengthen others’ wider ministry in the local area.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach Focii
Farm by the Water / Place by the Water
Core Team		 •
Bible Club (for those who want an introduction
to the bible)
•
Bible Journalling (for those who engage with
spirituality through art and crafting.
•
Change Management workshop
•
Jesse Tree Workshop
Hopes for 2022
•
Teens (working with Youth Lightwave)
•
New areas identified with Wilford team
•
Seeker-friendly worship & hospitality

3.8 Pilgrims Together

This group, based in Aldringham and reaching out to surrounding places built up a pastoral and liturgical ministry online in 2021, reached out to people in new housing collaborating with a local pub. Their fruitfulness have been recognised by Church Army who sought out one of their leaders, Gail Southgate to work for the Suffolk Centre of Mission, spreading good practice in rural evangelism.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach Focii
Pilgrims Together •
New Housing
•
Links with local pub
•
Online worship (Iona style)
•
Walking activities

3.9 Lightwave Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy

Graham Miles as Agricultural and Rural Chaplain for the diocese has been very effective building contacts and relationships and supporting the farming community.

Graham is nurturing a Lightwave Group to develop this ministry, and now has a team of six each working in their local area, reaching out to people that are in need and support, as well as leading Alpha courses, coffee mornings and cafe church. This includes Diane Ekins-Powell who joined as part of a placement when training for ordination. She is now a curate in Mendham and is a key part of the Lightwave chaplaincy team The team reaches out to people dealing with depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. Generous availability is very much appreciated.

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While 2021 continued to be difficult year dealing with Covid virus and lockdowns, it was nevertheless a good year for making contact with clergy across the diocese and building bridges and relationships which is now paying off as Graham is beginning to be invited to talk or preach at churches wanting to work with him. He has also facilitated visits to farms for Bishop Martin and others and works with the Cathedral to develop agricultural services.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach Focii
Lightwave Rural Chaplaincy •
Pastoral Care for people connected with
farming and rural business
•
24 hour helpline
•
Chaplaincy at Agricultural Events
•
Building closer relationships between church
and farming community
Exploring for 2022
•
Possibility of regular online zoom service for
isolated people who cant get to church

3.10 Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour Church is based at St Helen’s Church in Ipswich. Safe Harbour aims to love and serve those who have multiple and complex needs. The Thursday Top Up Shop and cafe serves 50 customers and has 20 volunteers a week. We recently started a worshipping community within the shop with over 20 people exploring faith together. The weekly congregation of around 25 attend the Gathering which includes lunch and an interactive worship service suitable for those who do not go to church. We have a small group of Christians who attend a fortnightly discipleship group called the Journey group with 4 new disciples being confirmed this year. Safe Harbour is led by Bob Hamilton, who is a Pioneer Developer for Inspiring Ipswich.

Lightwave Group in 2021 Outreach Focii Outreach Focii
Safe Harbour Church •
Top Up Shop and Cafe
•
The Table monthly community meal
•
The Gathering weekly lunch/START Course
•
Journey Group (fortnightly discipleship group)
Exploringfor 2022
•
Breakfasts for the homeless
•
Prayer walks
Newdisciples
SinceMay2021		 18+ under 18
14 0

3.11 Other Lightwave Groups active in 2021

Lightwave Groups Benefice/Area Outreach Focus Registration
Status
Bring and Share Rattlesden
benefice		 Refugee Support None
Crescendo (choir team) Roughham,
Beyton, Hessett		 Choir/ Music Registered
(BMO) 2022
Hessett Big Teas Big Teas/Alpha Registered
(BMO)
Lighthouse - Stradbrook
Benefice		 Leadership Team for Mission Registered
(PCC)
Cook @ Church After school cooking group Registered
(PCC)

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4 Central Activities supporting Lightwave Groups and Rural Hubs

This section is about activities undertaken or overseen by the Trustees of the Lightwave Community (BMO/CIO Council) and by members of staff of the externally funded“Growing in God in the Countryside” Project. As the Project progresses more and more of these central activities are being taken on by people in roles which are planned to continue after the end of external funding – ie the trustees and teams at the hubs.

4.1 Prayer

Prayer is vital in every Lightwave group. Staff pray together frequently and all our meetings to plan are immersed in prayer. We are grateful to our prayer partners who also pray for Lightwave regularly. Nina Seaman our project administrator also works hard to help all to engage in prayer.

Suffolk in Prayer - a movement of Christians who are committed to pray for God’s blessing on this the county and its people is led by a fully ecumenical team of church leaders across Suffolk: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist and Free Church. It is co-ordinated by the GIGitC team which provide funding one day a week for Kathy Wilson as a rural outreach pioneer to work on the initiative. A new website has been launched which includes 2022 resources and information about upcoming events. https://www.suffolkinprayer.uk/

For Thy Kingdom Come 2021, Suffolk in Prayer Facebook public group released daily video reflections/thought for the day from Ecumenical church leaders in Suffolk and hosted a 24/7 prayer room. The 11 days of prayer culminated in an in-person service - Catching the Fire Diocesan-wide Pentecost celebration of mission, This was also live streamed and available to watch through the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Facebook page.

It is our conviction that united prayer across denominations and streams is key to rural mission.

4.2 Communications and County-wide events.

Through 2021, the Project team were working on a more contemporary-looking website, now launched at www.lightwave.community. Resources for Lightwave small groups are now very easy to find here. The website URL can be used to create email addresses for any Lightwave groups that would like one.

The Lightwave Community has its own Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lightwavesuffolk) with many of the groups having their own groups for sharing locally. We also have a presence on Instagram (www.instagram.com/lightwavesuffolk) and lots of resource videos on YouTube.

Becky, our Project Communications Missioner is available to train up people from groups and hubs to take pictures and short films and to post on social media. Contact her at becky.luetchford@cofesuffolk.org

The central team initiated “40 Days of Kindness” in Lent and “Doorstep Carols” at Christmas. These were events supported by local radio which enabled Lightwave groups and parishes to participate in Christian community action in a way which was widely publicised throughout the county.

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4.3 Leadership Development

Growing local lay leadership and supporting clergy in leadership oversight is key for the flourishing of the Lightwave community. In 2021 we provided training and support as follows:

4.4 Stewardship and fundraising

It is the aim of the Project that the ministry of the three Lightwave Hubs and the Lightwave groups should be self-sustaining through the income of the Lightwave Community by the end of 2024. To this end, we are using a fundraising and stewardship consultant (Karen Lawson) to advise and help the hubs and groups on this journey. In 2021, she has scoped the task and had conversations with the leaders of each of the hubs to help them to begin to plan for future sustainability.

4.5 Chaplaincy at Suffolk New College – Suffolk Rural

Educational Chaplaincy was originally part of the work of the Otley Hub (now Emerge). However, all Chaplaincy activity had to be put on hold in March 2020 and while Suffolk New College (who have taken over the college when it was de-merged from Easton College, Norfolk) has allowed this to open for short periods Covid has prevented most activity. We have negotiated re-entering college using a purely voluntary team as part of the wider chaplaincy agreement for Suffolk New College working with Linda Pepper the new lead chaplain and two volunteer Chaplains Graham Miles (also working as Lightwave Rural Agricultural Chaplain and Capt Andrew Jarrold (Salvation Army), and for the short time this has been possible, it has been well received.

4.6 LoveRural: Making Jesus visible through loving service

LoveRural is a Lightwave initiative which seeks to…

LoveRural is still at the beginning of its journey. This year we have recruited Graham Reardon as an enthusiastic volunteer to champion this ministry. As part of his work, Graham is seeking to start an online Lightwave group to be the champion and praying heart of this ministry.

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5 Discernment and planning for the future…

The externally funded project which gave birth to the Lightwave Community will come to an end in 2024. Therefore, in Autumn of 2021, the Lightwave Community members and project staff together with many from the wider diocese engaged in an extensive process of discernment about what God is calling the Lightwave Community to beyond 2024. We asked

Since the autumn, the leaders of the Lightwave Community have been working on what enabling structures we think God may be guiding us to develop to lead this growth:

5.1 Where are we seeing God at work?

5.2 What do we sense God is teaching us about approach?

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A Selection of Quotations and Pictures from our Discernment Afternoon

“Do something small to grow something big” “Listen, don’t be afraid. Break down the barriers, boundaries and the bubbles. Take worship out into the homes and fields and don’t be afraid of technology – use it all, so all may benefit”

“Way in the Wilderness”…“God has provided the springs” (Isa 40-44) “overflowing and abundant activity of the Holy Spirit working through Lightwave and through our benefice”

“Respond in love to what is before you… walk alongside “churches without walls” “Behold, I am doing a new thing…” (Isaiah 43)… The time is now “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day & night. This person is like a tree, planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” Ps 1

5.3 What patterns of support help people to grow as leaders?

One of the distinctive aspects of the most fruitful Lightwave groups have leaders who are learning and are supported with all four of the following ways/approaches:

  1. Local Missional Group – These leaders reflect on their mission and learn as they go with the (Lightwave) group with whom they are on mission–they “do life” together. They are supported in prayer, discerning and attending to scripture by this group (usually weekly). The leader is not merely giving out/leading it because others share in leadership and discernment with them.

  2. Mentor, Coach, Mission Accompanier or Supervisor – These leaders are committed to a regular meeting with someone who has expertise in the areas of ministry which they need to address. They respect this person and will have usually chosen them themselves. The frequency and intensity of meeting can vary a lot. It may be a few times a year with a lot of thoughtful preparation for each meeting, or it may be a casual coffee and prayer every week – but they value this highly. This “mentor” has permission to ask difficult questions and to speak into their life. This relationship too is grounded in prayer.

  3. Peer Group – These leaders are committed to a group of leaders like themselves where they share both questions and wisdom and this is rooted in prayer and scripture. This may be a learning community or part of being on a course. It may be as often as monthly or much less frequently – but it is a priority commitment.

  4. Access to and support from key permission givers and advocates – These leaders are able to help their groups/initiatives to become more fruitful because they have easy or frequent access to people who have authority to make decisions affecting their work and who encourage them to take risks and to think big. These people both instill confidence and help the leaders to access other kinds of support within the diocese.

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5.4 Vision for 2030

The overall vision which has emerged for the Lightwave Community from the season of prayerful discernment includes the following:-

Concrete goals include

5.5 Planning for the future:

In 2022-3, central Lightwave will work on the following to facilitate ongoing growth and sustainability locally:

a) Keep prioritising prayer and helping people to become disciples and grow as disciples in everything we do.

b) Grow disciple-making leaders

In order to offer the 4 kinds of support identified as most fruitful this year…

c) Partner with more benefices:

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d) Enabling the Lightwave hubs and current ministries to financially sustainable independent of SDF funding by end 2024

e) Further to trial and develop oversight and enabling structures for the Lightwave Community as a whole beyond 2024

6 Final Reflections

Grateful thanks to all who have participated with the bishops and the community in our season of discernment this year. As we have found guidance for future growth, we have also discovered how important it is to wait and listen to God and others, each step of the way. Thank you to all the group leaders and members for all you are doing and all your prayers, patience, love and joy. Thank you also to our wonderful Growing in God in the Countryside Staff and wider diocesan staff who do so much to support Lightwave, the many who have committed to pray regularly for Lightwave, those who give financially to the Community and the members of the Lightwave Council who have served us well with dedication and vision.

It has been a delight to share in baptisms and confirmations, in creative worship and deep sharing, in serving and partnering. Your response in the face of adversity and so much weariness in our society has been awesome. I know it is because you are rooting your lives in prayer, in the study of the scriptures – and in lives of loving service. 2022 promises another rollercoaster of circumstances for our communities – the aftermath of lockdown in mental health, the rejoicing at our Queen’s jubilee, the challenges which flow from the war in Eastern Europe and no doubt highs and lows which we have not even dreamed of yet. The one thing we know is that we will face these highs and lows together with the God who loves us and with each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ and it is this which will give us the strength to share something of Christ’s light and love.

Sally Gaze (Archdeacon for Rural Mission, Leader of the Lightwave Community 2022)

Raise your voice loudly, herald of good tidings Say…”Behold your God”… Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, creator of the ends of the earth… Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary They will walk and not faint. From Isaiah 40

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7 Finance, Giving and Stewardship

7.1 Growing in God in the Countryside

The Growing in God in the Countryside (GiGitC) project (supported by the Strategic Development Unit of the Church of England and the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Board of Finance) has funds of around £6m for 6 years from 2019 (extended in some areas for a further 1 ½ years to mid 2026). This funds the majority of day to day operational expenditure and people and this is not included in these accounts.

7.2 Lightwave Community Financial Review

The financial objectives of the Lightwave Community at this stage in development are:

  1. To support Lightwave Hubs in day to day operations outside the scope of the GiGitC project, e.g. operation of a café at Red Lodge

  2. To support the operation of Lightwave Groups, e.g. the Safeharbour Lightwave Group pop-up shop

  3. To encourage giving and grants for the above objectives

  4. To develop with the GiGitC project a plan including grants and giving for sustainability of the work when GiGitC funding winds down largely at the end end 2024 with some funding extending to the middle of 2026.

Funds for the Lightwave Community CIO (“CIO”) are largely held in a number of restricted funds for each Hub (in some cases for a specific aspect of Hub work), and any Lightwave Group that requests it.

7.2.1 Income

Total receipts across the CIO as a whole were £99,647, of which £32,506 were from voluntary donations and a further £2,756 from gift aid. There remains around £4,500 of Gift Aid yet to be claimed for 2021 and this will be done in April 2022.

Regular giving has grown by 221% from £8,449 to £27,119 in 2021, and at end of 2021 stood at £2,877 per month, the majority eligible for gift aid.

Overall income for Red Lodge Hub represented £64% of total income.

Fund Income % of total Comments
501 - Lightwave - General 2,788 3%
502G - Lightwave - Red Lodge-General 16,667 17% Red Lodge represents 64% of the total. The café showed a surplus
for the year of £4,917 which in 2022 will contribute towards the
salaries of Lightwave Mission Assistants
502R - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Local Relief 33,142 33%
502C - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Café 13,831 14%
503 - Lightwave - Otley 8,400 8%
504 - Lightwave - Farm bythe Water - 10,315 10% Donations for the work of thegroupinclude leader KathyWilson
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour 4,447 4%
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour - SHOP 9,512 10%
506 - Pilgrims Together 544 1%
99,647

The work of Lightwave, especially in Red Lodge and with Safe Harbour in Ipswich continues to attract

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external funding, reflecting the confidence of those bodies in the work Lightwave is doing and our ability to help those directly in need in their communities. Red Lodge received almost £26,000 in grants from West Suffolk District Council (£10,745), Hope Beyond All Churches Trust (£7,750), Suffolk County Council (£2,500) and Suffolk Community Foundation (£5,000). The Safe Harbour Lightwave Group in Ipswich also received £5,000 from the Suffolk Community Foundation and the Otley Emerge group £661 from East Suffolk District Council. Grants received totalled £31,833. In addition funding was received from the DWP for two Kickstart employees for six months each.

7.2.2 Expenditure

----- Start of picture text -----
Fund Expenditure % of total
501 - Lightwave - General 3,212 5%
502G - Lightwave - Red Lodge-General 12,665 18%
502R - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Local Relief 26,566 38%
502C - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Café 8,914 13%
503 - Lightwave - Otley 374 1%
504 - Lightwave - Farm by the Water - 8,709 13%
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour 2,859 4%
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour - SHOP 6,039 9%
506 - Pilgrims Together 272 0%
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 69,609
Operational Reserves 3,924
Liabilities (Mission assistants funding 11,400
Grants not spent 14,713
Surplus/(Deficit) after allowance for
-
reserves
----- End of picture text -----

Major areas of expenditure are shown below to support the work of the different areas – through mission and through local relief work.

Also shown are reserves, liabilities, the remainder of any grants not spent which a surplus for the year of £3,924 which is less than the reserves required by our policy of £8,800. This will be recovered in 2022.

7.2.3 Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the CIO to maintain a balance across all funds equivalent to 2 months operating costs of individual Hubs/Groups plus an additional one month’s direct salary costs and the amounts of any external commitments. This excludes funded items from the GiGitC project. This amounts to £8,800.

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7.3 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Lightwave Community CIO

The examiner has reported on the accounts of the Lightwave Community CIO (“the CIO”) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 19 to 20.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The CIO’s Trustees (The Lightwave Community Council) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is the Independent Examiner’s responsibility to:

7.3.1 Basis of Independent Examiner's report

The examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, 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 the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Richard Turner

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Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA)

Ipswich, Suffolk

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THE LIGHTWAVE COMMUNITY CIO

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Receipts and Payments Accounts (£)

Note Unrestricted
Fund
Unrestricted
Designated
Fund
Restricted
Fund
Endowment
Fund
TOTAL YTD
2021
ACCOUNTS
2020
£
£
£
£
£
£
Receipts
Voluntary receipts
Grants from external bodies
Regular Donations
1
One-off individual donations
Gift aid recovered
Other
Activities for generating funds
Red Lodge Café donations
KickStart DWP Funding
Safe Harbour Basic Life Shop donations
Events and Activities incl. Training
Church Activities
TOTAL RECEIPTS
Payments
Church activities
Red Lodge General Expenses
Red Lodge Café running expenses
Red Lodge foodbank etc.
Lightwave Group Costs
Safe Harbour - SHOP
Lightwave Emerge Hub
Other
TOTAL PAYMENTS
EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS
Balance Brought Forward at 1 Jan 2021
Balance Carried Forward at 31 Dec 2021		 - - 32,506
32,506 6,800
- - 27,119
27,119 8,449
152 - 6,017
6,169 8,986
7 - 2,756
2,763 1,498
97
937
1,034
257 - 69,335 - 69,592 25,733
- - 13,698 - 13,698 4,722
9,314
9,314 -
4,512
4,512 -
2,531
2,531 -
- - - - - -
2,788 - 96,859 - 99,647 30,456
-
12,665
12,665 2,934
-
8,914 - 8,914 2,680
- - 26,566 - 26,566 2,923
- - 11,840 - 11,840 5,450
6,039
6,039
374
374
3,212
3,212 155
3,212 - 66,398 - 69,609 14,142
(424) - 30,461 - 30,038 16,314
532 - 15,885 - 16,417 103
109 - 46,346 - 46,455 16,417

Statement of Assets (£)

Note Unrestricted
Fund
Unrestricted
Designated
Fund
Restricted
Fund
Endowment
Fund
TOTAL 2019
£
£
£
£
£
£
Cash Funds
Cash held in CAF Bank Lightwave Community CIO
Main Account
Cash held in CAF Bank Lightwave Community CIO
Red Lodge Account
Cash held by DBF in Board Trusts for Lightwave
TOTAL CASH HELD
2		 109 - 22,160 - 22,268
23,954 - 23,954
232 - 232 16,417
109 - 46,346 - 46,455 16,417

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NOTES

Income

----- Start of picture text -----
Profile of regular giving At December 2021 was as
1 Donors Total Monthly Amount
follows:
502G - Lightwave - Red Lodge-General 5 1,399
503 - Lightwave - Otley 3 638
504 - Lightwave - Farm by the Water 5 360
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour 8 480
TOTAL 21 2,877
----- End of picture text -----

Expenditure/Liabilities

2 £11,400 is owned to the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Board of Finance as an agreed contribution from Red Lodge (Café and General funds) which will be transferred in the first half of 2022.

General

The financial statements of the Lightwave Community CIO have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the 3 Receipts and Payments basis as outlined here: https://www.parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/example.pdf

Only donations and expenditure for the Lightwave Community CIO (and those transferred from the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Board of 4 Finance given specifically for the work of Lightwave) are included

The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were as follows. Some further movements (e.g. to offset negative balance in 5 Lightwave General Fund) will be made in 2022. Note that there have minor movements between funds carried forward from 2020 to reflect the latest position.

----- Start of picture text -----
Fund Bal B/fwd Receipts Payments Bal C/fwd Comment
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted
502G - Lightwave - Red Lodge-General 4,554 16,667 12,665 8,557 General use for Red Lodge Hub
502R - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Local Relief 2,391 33,142 26,566 8,967 Restricted as per Grants to Red Lodge
502C - Lightwave - Red Lodge-Café 1,996 13,831 8,914 6,913 Red Lodge Café
503 - Lightwave - Otley 4,542 8,400 374 12,568 General use for Emerge Hub
504 - Lightwave - Farm by the Water - General 246 10,315 8,709 1,852 General use for Place by the Water Group
504 - Lightwave - Farm by the Water - Covid Relief 2,000 - - 2,000 Restricted as per Grant conditions
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour - 4,447 2,859 1,589 General use for Safe Harbour Group
505 - Lightwave - Safe Harbour - SHOP - 9,512 6,039 3,474 Safe Harbour Pop-up Shop
506 - Pilgrims Together - 544 272 272 Donations to group to pass on
15,730 96,859 66,398 46,191
Unrestricted
501 - Lightwave - General 687 2,788 3,212 264
TOTAL FUND BALANCE 16,417 99,647 69,609 46,455
----- End of picture text -----

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8 Glossary/Definitions

BMO Bishop’s Mission Order,the order made under which the Lightwave
Community is formed as a formal mission initiative of the Church of
England, under part 7 of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011.
CIO The Lightwave CommunityCharitable Incorporated Organisation
DBF Diocesan Board of Financeof the diocese of St Edmundsbury and
Ipswich the charity which administers the work of the Diocese)
GiGitC Growing in God in the Countryside– the name of the project
funded by the DBF and the SDF which has established Lightwave as a
Community
Suffolk Fresh
Expressions Community		 The alternative name for the Lightwave Community
SDF Strategic Development Fundof the Church of England from which
funds have been granted for the GiGitC project
SDU Strategic Development Unitwhich administers the SDF
New Disciple This is defined as faith explorers / disciples not engaging in church
regularly in 2018 now participating in some form of church at least
monthly.

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