HISTON BApthsT CHURCH Annual Report 2024
Pastor’s Report
David encourages us to “ Praise the Lord and forget not all his benefits ” (Ps. 103:2), and there are many things to give thanks for over this past year.
Inreach:
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We have had a number of celebratory services this year! We’ve celebrated five baptisms, all of which were young teens/adults and we also had a wonderful dedication service.
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We have continued to see new people joining us on Sundays and becoming part of the family. This has also seen a noticeable increase in nationalities and backgrounds, bringing more diversity to our church.
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We continue to see more of an openness to the work of the Spirit as we have engaged in times of silence, open praise/prayer, healing prayer, extended sung worship and times of testimony.
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In Autumn we spent time exploring God’s self-disclosure to Moses in Exodus 34 as we discovered that God has a name (Yahweh) and this name reveals his identity and character towards us.
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In Advent we considered the challenge of “waiting” in a society of instant-gratification as we learned from several characters in the Christmas story who had to wait patiently and persevere.
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In the New Year we had a “spiritual detox” as we looked at the book of James. This letter, steeped in practical wisdom, was a wake up call for us all to follow in the way of Jesus, encouraging us to put our faith into action through love.
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This led us into thinking once again about our “frontlines”, those places we find ourselves most in the week (home, work, school, college, social spheres etc.), and how we can become fruitful in those places as we seek to be led by the Spirit in sharing the good news of Jesus in word and deed.
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Alongside this we have had a number of interactive “All-In” services together including: Harvest: Being made in the image of God, James: Heavenly vs Worldly Wisdom and Pentecost: the ministry of the Spirit.
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The Lifegroups have continued to settle and flourish, with a need to create more groups soon!
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Prayer meetings have maintained a good attendance of 20+ as we gather together to worship God and bring him our needs.
Outreach:
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We have continued to see great community engagement through the Ark each Thursday, Welcome Café during the winter months, Remembrance Sunday Café, Christmas (including the Pudding event and Carol Service), Easter (including the art installation) and the H&I Feast Market.
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We’ve heard testimonies from those on their “frontlines” about how they see God’s kingdom coming in these places as they look to Him.
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Continued unity and outreach amongst the churches through the Light Party, Carols on the Green, Good Friday family event and Holiday Club, all of which were well received by the community.
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We have just started trialling a Friday Night Youth Club, with the idea of continuing it in September if it goes well. This has been really well received with over 20 of our youth and their friends coming most weeks!
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The list could go on!
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We also acknowledge, that along with the highs, there have been some low times to navigate for many in our church family. We’ve seen several deaths this year, particularly in the latter part of 2023, as well as health issues and life-challenges. However, I have seen God very much at work in these times as you have continued to love one another through prayer and practical help. The many funeral services were also times of thanksgiving as we remembered loved ones and celebrated their faith in our God, with whom they now abide.
Despite our best efforts we have not been able to recruit a youth worker as yet, but we have learnt much through this recruitment process giving clarity of focus to the youth team moving forward. We’ve also had to navigate some complex issues through the membership meetings, which has brought awareness and direction.
Within all that is shared above and in the reports given here, I continue to sense the work of the Holy Spirit, drawing us closer to God and to one another, both as a fellowship and with the wider community, and making us fruitful.
As we move forward into another year (with whatever it brings) we remember that we are encouraged by Jesus to remain in him (the true vine) if we are to be fruitful, for apart from him we can do nothing; but in him we can do all things (John 15).
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 4:6)
Rev Chris Farmer
Elders’ Report
As Elders we aim to meet with Pastor Chris every three weeks or so to: pray for God’s wisdom in all matters; review the spiritual health of the church; consider the future direction of the church; help Chris discern relevant sermon series and courses; review Life Groups; discuss members and non-members struggling with physical, spiritual, or other life issues and how we can support and encourage them. We also pray for one another and encourage each other.
We meet with the Life Group Leaders each term to encourage and support them and it has been so encouraging to see these groups flourishing. We have ensured that annual appraisals take place for the HBC staff team and agreed goals for the coming year.
Over recent months we have sought to reconnect with those members whom we haven’t seen at church for a while. It has been good to reestablish contact and seek to encourage them in their faith journey. We have also sought to welcome many new comers to our church fellowship.
We are currently reviewing our Mission and Vision Statements and look forward to discussing these and receiving further input from both the Leadership Team and the church members in due course. We continue to seek God’s guidance and wisdom as we look to the future.
As George comes to the end of his term as an Elder and stands down at the AGM we want to thank him so much for the many years he has served as a Deacon and then as an Elder. George’s servant heart, dedication to HBC and the time, energy and commitment he has given are so appreciated. We thank God for him and all his gifts and pray that God will bless and guide him in all that the future holds. Thank you, George!
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Please continue to pray for Pastor Chris, as well as the Elders and Deacons as we seek to faithfully serve God.
Jane Magowan, George Voyias, Bart Goncalves
Administrator’s Report
This year I have continued to spend much of my time working from home, which was something that I got used to doing during the Covid lockdown period. This has worked well as I am within a few minutes’ walk of the church if I need to be there for any reason.
Church Membership
David Johnson reports that we currently have 120 Church Members at Histon Baptist Church. In the last 12 months, 3 people have joined the membership and 13 people have left (4 of these have died).
We also have a number of new church associates who have joined our email mailing list.
Communications
The display screen in the coffee area continues to work well for advertising what is happening at church on a weekly basis, and for special events which occur. If you would like something added to the screen it can be emailed to me at admin@histonbaptist.org.uk
Bookings
Our extensive premises continue to be used regularly by local groups and by other groups from further afield, as well as by many church groups. There have also been many one-off events.
This year saw the end of the use of the premises by the village Day Centre which has moved to new premises in Kay Hitch Way. The Day Centre had been meeting at the church for many years on a Tuesday and Friday, and will be missed.
The following is a list of groups that currently use our buildings regularly:
– Church-based Groups The Ark, Ten Sing, Youth Groups, Motivators, Explorers, Welcome Cafe
External Groups - Rainbows, Brownies, Pilates (2 groups), Choir 2000, Slimming World, Histon Country Market, Quartet Club of Cambridge, Moonlight Mandolins, Spurgeon’s EtM Course, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, IVC Baby-Sitting Course
Office Accommodation – Connections Bus Project, GenR8, John Hardwick
Data Protection
Data protection is an ongoing task and this year I will continue to get more of the critical data moved to the church’s SharePoint files on Office 365, which is a secure location with an automatic backup.
Keith Willingham
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HISTON BAPTIST CHURCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] March 2024
Charitable status: The accounts presented refer to the financial activities of Histon Baptist Church, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), charity no. 1195343.
GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENT ACCOUNT
| Receipts | Note | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday offerings | £ 10,278.74 | £ 9,151.58 | |
| Standing Orders | £ 137,256.00 | £ 112,050.56 | |
| Gift Aid Refunds | £ 41,711.44 | £ 26,181.02 | |
| Ark Donations | £ 1,647.32 | ||
| Donations for use of premises | £ 21,303.98 | £ 24,886.17 | |
| Sundry Income | £ 1,603.08 | £ 357.91 | |
| Solar Panel Income | £ 873.25 | £ 1,166.84 | |
| Legacy | £ 10,000.00 | ||
| Investment Income (Bank Interest) | £ 2,249.80 | ||
| Raised for Other Causes | £ 12,476.09 | £ 1,386.93 | |
| Total Receipts | £ 239,399.70 | £ 175,181.01 | |
| Payments | |||
| Ministry | 2 | £ 69,953.00 | £ 86,961.50 |
| Mission | 3 | £ 29,820.99 | £ 43,790.57 |
| Administration | 4 | £ 9,362.60 | £ 8,852.32 |
| Premises | 5 | £ 41,432.00 | £ 104,308.16 |
| Amounts Passed on to Other Causes | 6 | £ 12,476.09 | |
| Total Payments | £ 163,044.68 | £ 243,912.55 | |
| Net receipts for the year | £ 76,355.02 | £ -68,731.54 | |
| Cash balance at previous year end | £ 99,547.61 | £ 168,454.84 | |
| Cash balance at current year end | £ 175,902.63 | £ 99,547.61 |
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ALLOCATED FUNDS (within GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENT ACCOUNT)
| Carried Forward (last yr) |
Income | Transfers In |
Transfers Out |
Expenditure | Balance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organ (R) | £785.66 | £130.00 | £ 655.66 | |||||
| Motivators incl. Sock Sunday |
£405.63 | £2,589.18 | £405.63 | £2,589.18 | £ 0.00 | |||
| Albania (R) | £10.00 | £10.00 | ||||||
| The Ark (R) | £382.16 | £1,647.32 | £381.79 | £2,120,75 | £290.52 | |||
| Youth Worker (R) | £466.43 | £466.43 | ||||||
| Church Weekend Away (R) |
£504.50 | £504.50 | ||||||
| Infrastructure Incl. boiler (D) |
£737.28 | £15,000.00 | £4,018.16 | £11,719.12 | ||||
| Dads & Kids | £381.79 | £381.79 | £0.00 | |||||
| A~~V~~(D) | £3,496.16 | £3,496.16 | ||||||
| Insurance and Music Licenses (D) |
£2,703,37 | £2,703.37 | ||||||
| Total | £2,862.49 | £19,845.76 |
(D) = Designated Fund. (R) = Restricted Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31st MARCH 2024
| Assets | Note | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks and other cash balances | |||
| Barclays – General Account | £ 43,376.55 | £ 17,332.64 | |
| Barclays – Specific Purposes | £ 32,128.21 | £ 3,435.11 | |
| Barclays – Savings Account | £ 19,845.76 | £ 399.46 | |
| BU Deposit Account | £ 80,552.11 | £ 78,380.40 | |
| Total in Bank | 7 | £ 175,902.63 | £ 99,547.61 |
| Assets Held for Church’s own use | 8 | £1,830,000,00 | £1,830,000,00 |
| Total Assets | £2,005,902.63 | £1,929,547.61 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Pension Scheme Liability | 9 | £ 0.00 | £ 15,500.00 |
| Other Current Liabilities | £ - | £ - | |
| Total Liabilities | £ 0.00 | £ 15,500.00 |
The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities relating to the year ending 31[st] March 2024 are as approved on behalf of the Trustees.
Signed: Date 16/07/24
Print Name:
Signed: Date 16/07/24 Print Name: John Newman
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
1. Basis of accounts
These accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis and in accordance with Section 133 Charities Act 2011.
| 2. Ministry |
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|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Salaries/PAYE | £ 51,409.99 | £ 61,482.92 |
| Employer Pension Contributions | £ 4,527.62 | £ 5,199.81 |
| National Insurance | £ 3,092.60 | £ 5,135.97 |
| BU Pension Deficit Plan | £ 13.00 | £ 1,497.52 |
| Minister Travel and Expenses | £ 3,367.21 | £ 3,444.80 |
| Visiting Speakers | £ 456.90 | £ 489.50 |
| Manse Upkeep | £ 7,085.68 | £ 9,710.98 |
| Total Ministry | £ 69,953.00 | £ 86,961.50 |
The Minister acts as one of the church's trustees and receives remuneration and other benefits in respect of his services as Minister, including the provision of manse accommodation.
The Treasurer and Office Administrator are also church trustees and receive remuneration for their services.
| 3. Mission |
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|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Fellowship | £ 1,939.58 | £ 1,146.49 |
| Youth | £ 1,693.67 | £ 1,925.99 |
| Motivators | £ 4.99 | |
| Home Mission (UK-wide) | £ 6,792.00 | £ 6,607.00 |
| BMS (International Mission & Humanitarian Support) | £ 6,792.00 | £ 6,607.00 |
| Albanian Church | £ 6,424.00 | |
| Ukraine refugee support(See note 6) | £ 7,769.00 | |
| GenR8, John Hardwick, Andy Henman & Anne Wiles Support | £ 7,350.00 | £ 7,200.00 |
| Baptist Union, Cambridge Youth for Christ, Evangelical Alliance and Other | £ 4,028.00 | £ 4,966.80 |
| Subscriptions & Donations | ||
| Christmas Pudding event & Sundries | £ 1,225.74 | £ 1,139.30 |
| Total Mission | £ 29,820.99 | £ 43,790.57 |
| 4. Administration |
| 4. Administration | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Printing, Photocopying, Stationery and Postage | £ 1,309.32 | £ 1,006.22 |
| Accounting Services | £ 414.00 | £ 414.00 |
| Music Licenses | £ 1,792.65 | £ 1,822.07 |
| AV equipment & maintenance | £ 683.46 | £ 515.80 |
| Solicitor’s fees for CIO transition | £ 404.80 | |
| Defibrillator Maintenance | £ 162.00 | |
| Covid Compliance Supplies, Bank Charges and Sundries | £ 5,163.17 | £ 4,527.43 |
| Total Administration | £ 9,362.60 | £ 8,852.32 |
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5. Premises
| 5. Premises | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Lighting and Heating | £ 8,373.53 | £ 18,147.15 |
| Water | £ 965.33 | £ 238.68 |
| Insurance | £ 4,682.38 | £ 4,820.99 |
| Main boiler replacement | £ 29,262.72 | |
| Floor replacements | £ 6,886.58 | |
| Repairs & Renewals | £ 7,684.44 | £ 27,745.78 |
| Cleaning, Catering, Gardening & Sundries | £ 19,726.32 | £ 17,206.26 |
| Total Premises | £ 41,432.00 | £104,308.16 |
6. Amounts passed on to Other Causes
| 6. Amounts passed on to Other Causes | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Ukraine Support | £ 5,415.00 |
| Christian Aid – Sock Sunday | £ 2,068.62 |
| Hope in Action | £ 793.32 |
| Harvest Offering (BMS – Days of Plenty) | £ 793.29 |
| Ten Sing | £ 1,000.00 |
| Benevolent Funds | £ 1,800.00 |
| Funeral Donations passed to Funeral Directors | £ 605.86 |
| Total Amounts Distributed | £ 12,476.09 |
7. Reserves Policy Statement
The reserves in all accounts amounts to £175,902.63. The reserves policy of Histon Baptist Church is to hold six months of all expenditure in reserve (i.e. 6 months expenditure on Ministry, Premises and Administration as defined on Page 1). 6 months of all expenditure in this financial year = £60,000.
8. Assets Held for the Church’s own use
The church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts dated 1902 and 1948) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the church’s custodian trustee [the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd]:
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Church premises at Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9LQ valued in the accounts at £1,000,000 based on our own estimates
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Church manse at 2 Poplar Road, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LN valued in the accounts at £800,000 based on our own estimates of resale values of similar properties in the locality
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The church also owns fixtures, furniture and equipment with an insured value of approximately £30,000
9 Pension Scheme Liability
The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. Since 1 January 2012, benefits have been provided through a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan.
A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit. The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022.
On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022. https://www.baptist.org.uk/Groups/305491/Family_Solution.aspx)
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Histon Baptist Church
I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s 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 my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My 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 you as 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:
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1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Tom Swan
7[th] May 2024
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