DUFFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
Annual Accounts,
Reports & Safeguarding Policy.
2023
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Ethos Statements & Doctrinal Basis are available on
request
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| List of Ofcers, Trustees and Deacons | |
|---|---|
| Pastor |
Rev. Alexander David Collins |
| Secretary |
|
| Treasurer |
Peter Henry Woodward |
| Deacons / Trustees | Alexander David Collins |
| Brian David Darby | |
| Stephen Leslie Shepherd | |
| Graham Charles Spencer | |
| Peter Henry Woodward | |
| Keith Powney (Trustee only) | |
| Charity number 1194982 |
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Pastors Report
On the first Sunday in September, I preached my first sermon as pastor of D.B.C, but the journey here goes back to Spring 2021, when my wife Jemima was offered a job in the East Midlands. I felt at that time like Abraham in Genesis 12:1 where God said to him ‘ Go from your country … to the land I will show you .’ In the past two years I’ve always had that strong conviction that the Lord would have us in Derby, even when there might have been more opportunity elsewhere. Waiting time is not wasted time. So it was with surprise, but with joy when the search committee got in touch with me to ask if I would consider taking on the pastorate of the church after Robin retired. I felt that my time of wandering had come to an end.
I preached my first sermon as pastor in D.B.C on the first Sunday in September, and the induction was on 14[th] October. It was a great service and well attended. Imagine if we had a and not 21[st] as we congregation like that every Sunday! Thankfully the service was on 14[th] were flooded out then by storm Babet. It was encouraging to see how everyone pulled together to get the church in shape again, and thankfully we only had to cancel the services on one Sunday. Paul Wiggins interviewed me for the Duffield Scene, and Keith took a nice photo of me and Jemima for the magazine. One work colleague of Jemima’s commented that she’d seen the article.
I was sad not to be able to meet Derek Wigley. I had booked to go and visit him with Brian N, but that day he had a fall, so we weren’t able to go, and there wasn’t another opportunity. It was a privilege to take his funeral and to meet his family, to minister God’s Word to them at that sad time, but also to welcome them back to the church afterwards, to serve them with refreshments and give them time to talk.
One of the things that takes time when you join a new church is building relationships and getting to know the culture and traditions of the church, in other words ‘how things are done around here’. Forgive me if I don’t get things right first time! It’s been a privilege serving alongside Keith, Peter and Brian our deacons and to learn from them. I’ve been able to make connections with the Severns and Ann, DBC mission partners as well as witness first-hand the work Brian and Frances do with Operation Christmas Child. It has also been a privilege to serve as BB&GA chaplain, and work alongside Brian and Frances and Steve. It is amazing that a church our size can have a midweek children’s work that regularly hits double figures. It is a demanding work though, and more female leaders is a pressing need.
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I was disappointed not to be with you for longer over Christmas, but we had booked our holiday at the beginning of the year. It was good to get a feel though how Christmas looks in DBC. Let’s build on that this year. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in decorating the
church inside and outside. It looked great. Social media was a help too. One thing I’ve tried to do in 2023 is strengthen our communication by email and text. Some of us are on WhatsApp groups for the church and for BB&GA. I was able to use the BB&GA group to publicise the carol service last minute, and one family came as a result. If you are able to use WhatsApp and would like to be part of the church group, then let me know.
I was able to attend the FIEC conference in Blackpool in November, and there I contacted a Christian publishing house called 10ofthose. I applied to them for support in funding an evangelistic book table in Duffield and they have responded most generously with a delivery of books and tracts for us to use at no cost to ourselves. They will continue to resource us with these if we are seen to be using them to spread the gospel.
A church is about people, and while we lost Derek this year it has been a great encouragement to welcome Graham and Marie, Elma and Amanda into membership, as well as to have the Spencer children with us in church. Marie and Caitlin have been a great support to Faith in playing the music, and at Christmas Bryn showed us what he can do on the guitar. Praise God for these dear ones and pray their fellowship in DBC would be a time of spiritual growth.
Looking ahead to 2024, I will start preaching a series towards the end of January, maybe in Joshua or another Old Testament book. I plan to position the book table in good locations in the town when the weather is fine. Pray people will take the books and read them. We are in a great location on the A6 for traffic. How do we maximise the potential of our location? I need to keep looking at how we use our signage to call attention to the gospel. I plan to get to know more people in the village and the surrounding area. Pray for new people to join the leadership team and to relieve those who have been giving 110% for many years now in serving the church. Pray too for new people to join us on Sundays. Who might be a fixture here at the end of 2024 who is not here today? O that the Lord would surprise and encourage us. I continue to work part time with Radstock Ministries, and it can be tricky doing two jobs as well as well as juggling family responsibilities, but pray the Lord would provide what I need, how I need it, and when I need it.
Thank you all for your love and support. It has meant a lot to us as a family. May we grow in love and faith and hope in our Lord Jesus in 2024.
With love in the Lord,
Alex 3/01/24
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Secretary’s Annual Report 2023
For the first time since we produced our annual reports, this year’s will be in two parts: the first being under the ministry of Robin Merrifield until his retirement in July and the second under the ministry of Alex Collins, our new pastor…
Part 1. After the AGM, for the first time since becoming a charity, we had to send copies of the minutes of that meeting to the Charity Commission and It was noted that our membership stood at 14 being reduced to 12 at Robin’s retirement, this unfortunately dropped to 11 after the death of Derek Wigley, Derek was baptised several years ago quite late in life and became a church member. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend worship for over twelve months and passed away towards the end of October age 92. He will be fondly remembered.
Easter rapidly approached and a Maundy Thursday Communion service was led by Robin. The Good Friday Walk of Witness was again held, this time on a truncated route and attendance at the service following was well down on previous years and I was left wondering what this really meant. Our Easter Day service was led by Ian MacGregor. April is the month in which Derby Bible Week takes place, when most of our meetings are cancelled to allow folk to attend, again numbers were down.
DBC was again well represented at the village carnival at Eyes Meadow; Hannah and Frances once again serving admirably by painting well over 100 faces and good conversations were held with visitors. We felt that we made a good representation of the church at this social occasion.
Towards the end of June, the Deacons approved the suggestion of the Search Committee to look at Robin’s retirement and replacement. Arrangements included a framed photograph of the church members and a retirement lunch to be held on the 22[nd] July. This was a very happy occasion when the photograph was presented to both Robin and Susanna along with a substantial monetary gift. On Robin’s last Sunday a baptismal service was held when Amanda shared her testimony before going through the waters of baptism. (The baptistry had to be well cleaned after the floods earlier in the year and will need it again before the next one!) It was a day of mixed emotions on which Robin & Susanna left the church after ten and a half years and we thank them both for their service.
Part 2. Meanwhile the search Committee had been seeking the LORDS will and approaches were made to Alex Collins who met with the deacons and later accepted the invitation to become the new Pastor. He started his ministry towards the end of September with the induction taking place on Saturday 14[th] October. And what an occasion that was, with the church being packed, with visitors from Woodlands Church and from Alex’s previous church in Cardiff. Elders and Pastors from Woodlands took the service, a great sermon was preached, and it was all followed by tea and cakes.
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Two weeks later Alex was welcomed to Duffield by yet another “Great Flood” in which the church in the triangle became the church in the lake. But thanks to Brian’s manufacture of flood barriers the damage was less severe than on the previous occasion. Steve and I spent many (happy?) hours, using special vacs that had been loaned to us, sucking out the water from the new carpet which meant that it was only on one Sunday that we had to close, although the smell lingered for quite a while afterwards.
The deacons finally gave the go ahead for a welcome banner to be erected over the front door. This was duly ordered and delivered, proudly pronouncing, in large letters, 10 feet Long by 3 feet deep, WELCOME. We give our grateful thanks to Brian D. and Steve for erecting this just before Christmas. The banner can be seen from quite a long way away, announcing to the village that a welcome awaits for all.
Alex’s preaching keeps most of us awake and brings the word of God into our hearts in a new and refreshing way. Since his arrival we have been able to welcome several visitors to our services and on the first Sunday of December we received 4 new members into the fellowship, Amanda Hibbert, Graham and Marie Spencer & Elma Irwin. We were delighted that Marie and her daughter, Caitlin - both accomplished musicians, are now helping out with Faith, in leading the music of the church. We look forward to them working with us in seeking the lost.
Whilst Alex’s arrival is bringing new life to DBC, it is with regret that a decision was taken to (Temporarily?) close CHAT after 15 years. (Consequently, there is no report other than this update). Numbers had dropped dramatically since we had to change to meeting once a month rather than weekly after the home call of our two main leaders and organisers, and no one turned up at all for the last meeting. It is our prayer that new personnel will be found in the not-too-distant future so that we can re-visit this again.
Our Harvest service was held on Oct 1[st] with donated goods going to the Belper Food Bank. Once again, we offer our sincere thanks to Frances and her team of helpers for so nicely decorating the church. Our thanks also go to the same team for erecting the Christmas decorations and the outside Nativity. Once again, the church looked beautiful.
Whilst we are still small in number but growing (our membership is now 16) our thanks go to those within our fellowship that are exceedingly generous in giving of their time, talents and financial support. Many are involved in the smooth running of DBC through catering, cleaning, music, room bookings, coffee making, floral arrangements, A/V operation, and Edmund for cutting the lawns, we are also, very grateful to Brian Nicholls for arranging our preachers when Alex is preaching elsewhere or away, it’s no easy task. We are also grateful to our “Handy Man” Brian D. for quietly getting on with several maintenance matters. But special mention must also be made of Steve (much to his embarrassment I’m sure) who acts as caretaker/deacon in all but name. Not only does he operate the A/V system but arranges room lettings, coming to make sure the heating is on at all the correct times, putting up the flood -
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barriers when Brian D is not available, letting workmen in to do various jobs, service the boiler, etc. as well as many other unseen tasks. We are extremely grateful to them all.
Finally, I have decided that after 25 years as your Church Secretary and a period of not being as well (or as young) as I would like, I shall be retiring from the role by the end of June this year. I have been feeling the pressure recently and have made many more mistakes than I should and I'm grateful to those who quietly remind me or rectify them. It is obvious to me that it is time to find a younger person to take over as I lag well behind on the technology required as well. I hope you all understand.
You may recall that last year I finished with the words given to us on several occasions - from Jeremiah 6:16-19 about seeking the LORD’S will as we stood at the crossroads and looked for the GOOD WAY, and yes, the LORD heard our prayers and with His help we found it in Alex and Jemima. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME , as He leads us into new ways in 2024.
Keith 03/01/24
BB/GA
It's been a busy year at BB &GA, with many mixed blessings. In September 2022 we attempted to have another try at splitting our age groups as ages 5-14 years was too big a range to actively hold all the children's attention. However, we struggled with dividing our time between the two age groups and drifted back to one group again. This year we have realised that there is an 11 plus group at Woodlands Church, so we have made the decision to now limit our age group to 5–11-year-olds.
Some of our activities in the last twelve months included celebrating the Chinese New Year by building a dragon and enjoying an evening learning about Sudan with the help of David's mum. As well as our usual activities of road safety, staying safe at home we investigated safety online. One of the children's highlights was when we researched which chocolate, we liked best with a taste test and then they designed and made their own individual wrappers and bars. We had a visitor talk to us about bicycle maintenance., learned to sew on buttons and stitched a basic tissue holder as well as join Ashbourne for their summer camp in August. The children learned the names of shells, packed shoeboxes for OCC and bought gifts at harvest for Belper food bank.
By the end of July, we had said goodbye to three of our older children, as they moved up to secondary school and started at Woodlands Church youth group. We also sadly had to say goodbye to Robin and Suzanna who have been a huge support to us at BB & GA. Robin has faithfully shared the Gospel with our children since we started and we thank God for his huge contribution, yes even the American cartoons he showed! To be honest we were not sure if we could continue with the group as we needed someone else to step in and physically be there on a Tuesday evening as well as a bible teacher which is an essential part of our evening. As we all know God has brought Alex and Jemima to the church and their willingness to step into
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those roles have been a huge answer to prayer. Our thanks to Steve as well who always serves so faithfully in the background and to Amamda who was so willing to come, but found the cold evenings too much, bless you for trying.
Looking forward to the coming year our prayer requests are that we would see our numbers grow (we currently have 10 children attending) and that the message of Jesus Christ our Saviour would take root in the hearts of our children.
Thanks as always for your prayers and support.
Frances and Brian 22/12/23
Treasurers Report
This year has been a year of change with Robin retiring at the end of July 2023 and Alex taking over from 1.9.2023. This has had a huge impact on our financial situation as the Income and Expenditure Account portrays.
At the end of the previous financial year, we ended up with an excess of expenditure totalling £1 426.95, while this year we ended up with an excess income of £4 052.06, which is a positive swing of £5 479 – Praise the Lord!
While Robin was employed as a paid employee, Alex is charging the Church, as a selfemployed person. The cost for Robin for the 7-month period totalled £9 326.80 while Alex has charged us with his professional fees for the 4-month period at a cost of only £1 545. In both cases various expenses have been ignored. It must be recognized, however, that as we progress Alex will become more and more involved as Pastor which will increase his charges accordingly. In any event the Deacons have agreed to review the situation after a period of 6 months, which will end at the end of February 2024.
During the year one member made a most generous gift of £2 000, while one non-member gave a total of £1 611, and another unknown person gave a total of £970. All these donations obviously had a positive impact on our financial position, but it is unlikely that such gifts will be repeated in the future, BUT who knows what the Lord has in store for us to ensure we continue to grow and have a positive impact on our local community.
I have already claimed for Gift Aid tax relief for those members who pay tax and this amounts to £2 046 and should be received in the first 10 days of 2024.
Room hire shows a large increase and this is due to the Scouts Group known as the Explorers who had not paid for hiring our back room since September the previous year and we charged them for the 28 unpaid sessions at a very moderate rate of £10 per hour (instead of the current rate of £15 per hour) which gave us a total of £560. As from January 2024 they will be charged at the increased hire fee. The Lord has heard our prayers and as we all know 4 new members were accepted into the Church and we must continue to praise HIM as more people attend our services. All Honour to our Lord and King.
Pet\er Woodward 31/12/23
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DUFFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 31.12.2 31.12.23 9,664.0) 9.561.60 4,139.9) GIFT0ED OONAnONS 8,185.(Kl ILk72.33 OFFERINGS MRC GIFTMD TAX RETIJRN BOYS BRIGADE & GIRLS'ASSOC 914.89 129.71 161.68 92.82 CARNThIAL CHAT 91.75 1.220.(X) 28,919.60 R(M)M 21,713.68 LESS.. EXPEIISES PASTORE 8hLARY .15.6W. .388.80 .9.1 IX) -226.80 PASTORE PENSk)N FUND -440.25 ILEAGE -36525 -495. PULPIT LEG4L FEES -350.IX> -853.12 -226 92 .408.98 -1.081.15 -257.48 .899.10 ErJuipMrNT GASMD ELECTRICITY PRINTING & STATIONERY INSURANCE -1.144 61 -456.49 .I.CM)4 31 -240.IY) -650. AFF1LIATIONS .2.3W. -150. MISSIONS FIEC CONFERENCE POSTAGES WATER REPAIRS a MAINTENANCE -210.(X) -9.70 -168.83 1.217.75 -IS6.30 -443 05 -30. BUS FARES CONFERENCE FEES -30 -1.545.IXI -177 IX) -27.24 PASTORS FEES FAREWELL LUNC INDUCTION SERWCE EXPENSES &ANNER -106.95 -72.(X) 64.73 K CHARGES 361.66 .2S.346.55 -1.426 95 5 357.98 3 931.03 SU8SCRIPTIONS SURPLusmeFICIT ACCUMMLIL4TED FLIND BIF -23530 -1766162 4,052.( 3.931.03 IT1th?5 L7ndOffeNthVS Less Poidioéote 1,935.73 -1 500.00 435.73 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 2023 31.12.22 3.931.03 780.43 ACCUMMLILATED FUNDS BOYS BRIGADE 7,983.(8 1 107 983.09 Represeftted8v LANO ANO BUILDIPIGS BALAPICE WITH BAPIK .1,1.(m.(1> -7.983.09 -4.711.46 -1 107 983.09