GRIFFITHSTOWN BAPTIST 'CHURCH. Annual Reports & Accounts for 2022 IY coiiKfF,RCJ.4L STREET ••••••••Wl••ePw• GKIFFITIISTOW N P4 bJF
Annual Reports and Statement of Accounts
for the year ending 31[st] December 2022
Minister:
Rev Jon Dickerson
Officer & Deacons:
Mrs M Jones (secretary)
Mr N Snook (treasurer)
Mrs J Cocks
Mrs B Harris Mrs B Humphry
Mrs S Jones
Independent Examiners
Mr A Loose
Mrs S Pitten
1
Minister’s Report
2022, was a strange year, both for me and in the life of the church. A little broken up and disjoined if we are honest. Mainly because it marked the 7[th] year of my ministry here at Griffithstown, and so after the stresses of lockdown it was time for my first sabbatical. Three months away from the everyday ministry of the church. But which also meant a selection of other ministers and preachers to lead our services for 13 weeks from August to November. It was also, unknowingly, a year of ‘lasts’.
2022 started off badly, with lockdown upon us once more, but only for a few weeks, hopefully this will be the last time that will happen. But by February we were back in church on a Sunday morning, remaining on Zoom on a Sunday evening.
Our permanent return to the building in the mornings was greeted with much joy among most, being able to worship together unrestricted by social distancing was a great delight. Even morning refreshments were once again indulged in after the service.
Having begun Messy Church, the previous Christmas we decided to hold another to coincide with the weekend of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. We welcomed families to share how Jesus was King, not just of a nation or a commonwealth, but the King of Kings, the king of everything. Great fun was had with games and craft.
Everyone then joined together in the church for an afternoon tea to celebrate. A huge thank you to all those who baked, donated jam and cream, helped decorate and also serve the food, it was a great time had by all.
Keith and I decided during lockdown that we would write our own Holiday club, and 2022 was the year it came to life. ‘Starship Command’ was born, journeying each day to a distant planet to recover a Bible story that had been lost in space. The church was duly transformed into our spaceship and despite a few niggles from wire chewing Aliens that Keith and I managed to dispose of with water pistols, everything went well. Nearly 70 children from the local area joined us each day.
Can I say again, a huge thank you to Keith and Clare, to Nigel for running Proclaim, and to all the helpers who gave up their time to help.
Three months of sabbatical followed, an opportunity to step back and consider parts of ministry that I hadn’t before. As I shared upon return I looked at Digital Ministry and how this is a vital area for the church to grow into.
Upon returning Christmas was nearly upon us. Again, the first time we would have normal services over Christmas for a number of years.
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It is always busy at Christmas, made more so as at the last minute Griffithstown Primary asked if I could take their School Carol Services after being let down elsewhere. I was also asked to lead the Christmas Assembly at Ysgol Panteg, where I serve as a governor. And we even added a Christmas messy Church in to the mix as well. So after many renditions of the Nativity story, some sensible, some silly, it was time for our Carol Services.
Both were a great success, as we were determined to make Carols Around the Tree on Christmas Eve the messiest that we’d ever done. And I think we can safely say, we certainly succeeded in that aim. It was wonderful to welcome so many non-church people from the community to share the joy of Christmas.
This year we also added a new idea, Jon’s Wheel of Carols made it’s debut. A fun morning of carols, games, thoughts and stories followed. I am pleased to say that this is an idea that has already been asked for by churches around the country, I have been told that even Churches Together in Barrow-In-Furness will be running one this year!
As I won’t get to write a report next year, I will finish with January 2023 as well.
It came as a surprise to some to hear that Naomi and I will be moving on from Griffithstown this year. This meant that those successes from last year would prove to be the last ones we would share with you as a church.
We both feel that we have journeyed as far as we can with the church and were being called on to a new challenge, to use the gifts God has given us in a new setting. My belief is that as well as calling us on, He will also have the right person to enable you t
o grow in your calling and mission, both as individuals and as a church.
Every Blessing
Jon
3
Secretary’s Report
The start of 2022 saw the Church, and country, in temporary lockdown and therefore the Church meeting again via zoom. It also saw Janat’s last months as secretary before I took on the mantle following February’s Church meeting. Janat worked hard as secretary for many years and I would like to thank her for her commitment and dedication to the Church over her many years of service.
Following the temporary lockdown, we were once again able to meet in person and throughout the year return to more ‘normality’ with the re-introduction of refreshments after the service. Quiz nights have resumed and are generally well attended with donations going to their chosen charities. Thank you to Howard Powell for planning the quizzes and testing the grey cells.
A new venture for the Church this year was to set up a RENEW wellbeing café. Naomi shared with the Church meeting, the work of the RENEW charity and their aim to set up a safe space where ‘it’s okay to not be okay’. With a growing mental health crisis in our country it is heartening to know that we as a Church have a small way of helping people in their time of need, as well as encouraging people into the Church in a ‘non-threatening’ environment.
Nationally, the year was one of highs and lows, celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee then sadly, mourning her passing. As a church we were able to combine Messy Church with the jubilee to celebrate. We enjoyed fun and games at Messy Church followed by a delicious afternoon tea. Thank you to everybody who organised the event and made the food. It was so lovely to be together again, celebrating after such a long period of being unable to be together, let alone eating together. We mourned Her Majesty’s passing as a Church by laying the communion table with a black cloth and a portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth. We also chose sombre hymns for two weeks as a mark of respect. Thank you to Keith for his help in organising this.
Jon had been with us seven years and the intensity of lockdown left Jon needing physical, spiritual and emotional refreshing. This was the perfect time for him to take his sabbatical. We had 3 months where we were able to listen to different preachers share God’s word with us. I personally would like to thank Naomi for the support she offered to myself and the deacons during Jon’s sabbatical. Jon came back and shared with us the reading he had done around what it means to be a ‘Digital Church’. Jon was keen to emphasise that this is not a replacement for a physical church but it is the way forward for the future. We live in a digital society and to find out any information, the vast majority of people will reach for their phones and ‘Google it’. Unless we have an online presence, we will be passed by and our Church may not see new members.
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Harvest was a quieter celebration than normal but still enjoyable. We shared a picnic lunch after the morning service with plenty of tea and coffee. We hope to organise a bigger Harvest celebration this year.
Christmas saw the return of our usual in-person services. Carols by candlelight, although not as well attended as pre-COVID, was still popular and a fitting celebration of the birth of Jesus. Carols around the tree on Christmas Eve saw Keith and Jon turn the Church into a kitchen and the two of them creating a ‘Christmas Cake’. Fun was had by all who attended, but most importantly the message of Christmas was spread in a fun, accessible way to all. Christmas morning attendance was small but again another celebration of the birth of our Lord.
Technically this report is supposed to end in December 2022 but I cannot end without mentioning the news of January 2023. Jon and Naomi have decided that it is time for them to move on and use their gifts and talents in a new way. Jon has formally resigned and will be leaving us in early May. I would like to wish Jon and Naomi every blessing as they step forward into their next adventure and thank them for all their hard work and support they have given to the church. They will be sorely missed and their ministries will leave lasting memories.
As a Church we face an uncertain future at the moment and there will be many searching questions that we need to ask of ourselves as we move forward. We are called to work to further God’s Kingdom and make disciples. This needs to be at the heart of everything we do as a Church. We cannot sit back and think ‘someone else will do it’. Everybody has a part to play and if we are not a growing church then we are a dying church. I pray God’s guidance on the deacons and Church as we navigate a path to the future.
Michelle
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RENEW@GBC & Craft Group Report
Following the return from the enforced layoff due to Covid, the resumption of the Craft Group meeting has taken a significant change to now be part of the national Renew church-based organization, of which Revd Naomi Dickerson is the South Wales Area Co-ordinator. The concept of Renew is to provide a safe place for anyone, whether from the church or the community who are lonely and/or feeling the pressures of life, where they can know that’s ok not to be ok. Significantly, some Renew groups in other parts of the country have had unchurched community members begin to attend church as a result of the relationship of trust and friendship they’d formed there.
Renew@GBC is a new venture for the church, complementing the object of the Craft Group but with the addition of a short time of led reflective prayer in a quiet space. We continue to meet on a Tuesday when the bringing and sharing crafts continues to be encouraged, and of course accompanied by the obligatory sharing of conversation, tea and biscuits. Our existence has been made known on social medial and the local doctors surgery plus we have made initial contact with Torfaen’s Growing Space project based at Nant Bran in Upper Cwmbran. Regrettably, as yet no one from the Community has turned up but we live in hope that that will change.
Just before Christmas, we enjoyed a very good Christmas meal at a venue new for us, The Star at Ponthir. After such a long time not being able to meet together as had been the practice pre-covid, it came as a welcome relief.
We extend an invitation to any from the church who would like to join with us on Tuesday afternoon 1.30–3.30, and would encourage you make us known amongst your family and friends who may be lonely and/or in need of a lift and some company.
Sylvia Powell and Howard Jones
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Children’s Work Report
Junior Church
The numbers on a Sunday morning are sporadic, mainly due to the fact that some of our families are shift workers. The older comprehensive age young people like to stay in the service when they are there, rather than come out to Sunday School. Many thanks to Karen Dorling who faithfully helps out when there are children. We follow the same topic theme as Sparks, thus reinforcing the teaching of God’s word.
Sparks
The Sparks session takes place on Thursday evenings during term time and has been running since September 2022. Our regular leaders are Rose Martin, Denise Colcombe, Ruth Osman and Karen Dorling. Our numbers have been gradually increasing and we currently see up to 10 children attending, though numbers vary from week to week. We do not charge for the club, but have a donation box. Parents/guardians and church members have been generous with donations of money and refreshments, for which we give thanks.
We begin the session with a game related to the theme for the week. We then have a Bible based story or teaching, presented using various mediums, including story books, video clips, drama, puppets, practical demonstrations etc. This is followed by a craft activity, prayer time and refreshments.
From September to November, we were focusing on the Parables of Jesus. This was followed by some sessions focusing on Christmas. Once a term we have a family session, where parents, grandparents and older/younger siblings can join us for games, stories, crafts and party food. Just before October half term this family session was based on World Vision’s Pumpkin Heroes (a Christian alternative to Halloween), then at the beginning of this year we had a New Year party with a Christmas story themed treasure hunt. For the rest of this term, we will be focusing on ‘Our Wonderful World’, by looking at different aspects of God’s creation.
Please let me know if you are willing to go on the list of on-call helpers, just in case our regular leaders are unable to make it.
Thank you and God Bless,
Rose
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Prayer Group Report
A real blessing is had by those who regularly attend for prayer on a Tuesday morning at 10am. We urge others to join with us (you can be silent if you so wish)
We spend as a church about ONE hour a week in prayer. Therefore, how can we seek God’s Will and purpose as a church with such little time spent in His presence?
It is said “a NON PRAYING church is a DYING church”
Prayer is also held in the lounge on a Sunday morning between 10-30 & 10-55. This time replaces 10am on Zoom
Blessings
Babs & Sue
Christmas Fayre Report
The Christmas Fayre went well even though attendance was down, which seems to be a theme of many things since lockdown.
The total taken at the fayre was £931.13. Again this year we gave gifts to the housebound, also donation to Home Mission, BMS, World Vision and Link to Hope.
A big thank you to all who helped with the success of the Fayre and all who came on the morning to show their support.
This year due to ill health, we were without Mrs Beryl Wood, one of our key workers. We give Beryl our best wishes and our thanks for all the dedication she has given, to not only workshop projects, but every aspect of Church life.
Janet Day
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Bible Connect Report
Bible Connect continues to meet on Monday mornings at 10.30am via zoom.
We have 15 members, with an average of about 10 at each session.
Over the past year we have looked at Psalm 23, a study on Lent, the Beatitudes, Philippians and are presently studying Angels.
Our aim is to increase our knowledge of Scripture and to become more aware of what God wants for us in our journey with Him.
If anyone would like to join us please let me know. You will be more than welcome.
Every Blessing
Sue
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EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH, GRIFFITHSTOWN
Financial Statement for year ended 31st December 2022
Main Account Income & Expenditure
| INCOME: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offering | £ | £ | ||
| Closed | 12,867.68 | |||
| Open | 5,371.03 | |||
| Standing Order / Bank Transfer | 26,893.50 | 45,132.21 | ||
| Donations / Miscellaneous | ||||
| Holiday Club | 682.50 | |||
| Coffee Morning | 508.92 | |||
| BNP Paribas Rebate | 167.96 | |||
| Weddings and Funerals | 170.00 | |||
| Donation Memory Joan Haymond | 250.00 | |||
| World Vision | 1,263.00 | |||
| Probus | 810.00 | |||
| Messy Church | 170.00 | |||
| Anonymous Donation | 500.00 | |||
| Torfaen Borough Council-Holiday Club | 200.00 | |||
| BMS Ukraine Appeal | 475.00 | |||
| Quiz Night - Red Cross Ukraine Appeal | 173 | |||
| Christmas Fayre Workshop | 1,000.00 | |||
| Donation for Battery Replacement Lift | 170.00 | |||
| Quiz Night - Mercy Ships | 128.00 | |||
| Poppy Appeal | 17.73 | |||
| Connect - Donation for Photocopying | 18.05 | |||
| Anonymous Donation - Microphones | 300.00 | |||
| On Line / Card Reader Donations | 93.29 | 7,097.45 | ||
| Income Tax Recovered | ||||
| Gift Aid Declaration | 12,376.95 | 12,376.95 | ||
| 64,606.61 |
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| EXPENDITURE: NOTES: |
EXPENDITURE: NOTES: |
|---|---|
| £ £ |
|
| Ministry | 1 37,703.60 |
| Upkeep of Church 2 8,686.98 |
|
| Upkeep of Manse 3 3,405.44 |
|
| Home Mission 1,500.00 |
|
| BMS | 1,500.00 |
| Donations | 4 2,721.80 |
| Holiday Club 818.23 |
|
| Nic’s Cleaning 712.75 |
|
| Flowers | 10.00 |
| Sunday School 0.00 |
|
| Coffee Morning 399.61 |
|
| SundryExpenses 5 3,378.35 60,836.76 |
|
| Administration Costs | |
| Printing /Stationery /Postage 1,351.48 1,351.48 |
|
| Other Payments | |
| Church Kitchen/Meals/Refreshments 156.26 156.26 |
|
| 62,344.50 | |
| Surplus/Deficit for the year 2,262.11 |
|
| Balance Brought forward from Previous Year 4,495.52 |
|
| Balance Carried forward at End of Year 6,757.63 |
|
| December Bank Statement Balance 6,835.63 |
|
| Uncleared/Uncashed Items 78.00 |
|
| 6,757.63 | |
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| Notes to the Accounts | |
|---|---|
| 1. MINISTRY | £ |
| Pastor's Stipend | 19,386.80 |
| NIC. | 3,641.85 |
| Pension | 8,431.59 |
| Baptist Pension Shortfall | 3,192.36 |
| Tax | 2,447.00 |
| Minister Expenses | 0.00 |
| Pulpit Supply | 604.00 |
| 37,703.60 | |
| 2. UPKEEP OF CHURCH | |
| Utilities | 4,044.60 |
| Insurance | 3,158.65 |
| Broadband | 370.41 |
| Maintenance | 1,113.32 |
| 8,686.98 | |
| 3. UPKEEP OF MANSE | |
| Utilities | 376.00 |
| Insurance | 424.88 |
| Council Tax | 2,604.56 |
| Maintenance | 0.00 |
| 3,405.44 | |
| 4. DONATIONS | |
| World Vision | 1,300.80 |
| Cariad Kenya | 600.00 |
| BMS Ukraine Appeal | 500.00 |
| Red Cross Ukraine Appeal | 173.00 |
| Mercy Ships | 128.00 |
| PoppyAppeal | 20.00 |
| 2,721.80 |
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Notes to the Accounts (contd.)
| 5. SUNDRY EXPENSES | £ |
|---|---|
| SWBA Subscriptions | 255.00 |
| BU Subscriptions | 416.50 |
| CCLI | 715.17 |
| Offering Envelopes | 132.81 |
| Waveley Fire & Security Ltd – Annual Check | 216.00 |
| Bank Charges | 223.24 |
| Present for Janat Cocks | 35.19 |
| Square Card Reader | 142.80 |
| Web Site | 204.00 |
| Advent Candles | 15.10 |
| Christmas Items | 70.65 |
| PC for Church | 414.00 |
| Microphones | 279.00 |
| Christmas Selection Boxes | 248.00 |
| Christmas WrappingPaper | 10.89 |
| 3,378.35 |
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Abbey 5 Star Account Income & Expenditure
| Description Income Expenditure B/F Interest Sep 2021 to Sep 2022 20.95 C/F |
Balance 45,000.00 45,020.95 45,020.95 45,020.95 |
|---|---|
| 45,020.95 |
Report of the Independent Examiners to the Members
of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Griffithstown
In accordance with the provisions of Section 43 of the Charities Act 1993, we have examined the Receipts, Payments & Accounts of Ebenezer Baptist Church set out on Pages 1-5 relating to the Year ended 31st December 2022. We confirm that the Accounts and Statement accord with the Accounting Records of the Church and that such records satisfy the requirements of the Act. We are not aware of any matter to which attention needs to be drawn in order to obtain a proper understanding of the Accounts.
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Expenses Budget 2023
| Ministry | Stipend/Nic/Tax/Pension | £36,281 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pension Shortfall | £12 | ||
| Minister’s Expenses | £100 | ||
| Pulpit Cover | £600 | ||
| Church Building | Utilities | £4,328 | |
| Maintenance | £1,191 | ||
| Insurance | £3,380 | ||
| Broadband | £396 | ||
| Manse | £3,644 | ||
| Children’s Work | Sunday School | £400 | |
| Messy Church | £100 | ||
| Sparks | £100 | ||
| Flowers | £50 | ||
| Donations | £2,912 | ||
| Home Mission | £1,500 | ||
| BMS | £1,500 | ||
| SWBA & BU Subs | £719 | ||
| CCLI | £765 | ||
| Sundries | £3,615 | ||
| Cleaning | £713 | ||
| Kitchen | £700 | ||
| Refreshments Sunday | £250 | ||
| Holiday Club | £1,000 | ||
| Emergency Reserve | £1,000 | ||
| Technical | £500 | ||
| Printing/stationery | £1,446 | ||
| Total | £67,201 | ||
| Average Required Income per Week = | £1,292 | ||
| Average Monthly | Income = | £5,600 |
N.B. Budget was drawn up prior to the Pastoral Vacancy, hence full stipend inclusion and limited Pulpit cover.
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Home Mission
| Income Balance @ 31/12/21 Donations Boxes Workshop Income Balance @ 31/12/21 Boxes Workshop Income Balance @ 31/12/21 Donations |
£ 16.17 47.24 88.23 100 |
Expenditure Home Mission Balance @ 31/12/22 Baptist Missionary Society Expenditure 24/5/22 BMS 7/12/22 BMS Balance @ 31/12/22 BMS Birthday Scheme Expenditure Cheque to BMS Cheque to BMS Balance @ 31/12/22 |
£ 240 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 11.64 |
|||
| 251.64 | 251.61 | ||
| £ 62.10 137.60 100 |
£ 140 150 |
||
| 290 9.70 |
|||
| 299.70 | 299.70 | ||
| £ 136.50 477 |
£ 300 190 |
||
| 490 123.50 |
|||
| 613.50 | 613.50 |
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Craft/RENEW @ GBC
| Income Balance @ 31/12/21 Donations Weekly payments Miscellaneous |
£ Expenditure 147.75 Postage 10 Deposit for meal 279.40 Meal @ Star 437.15 Cash in hand 34.95 472.10 |
£ 15.80 100 267.70 88.60 |
|---|---|---|
| 472.10 |
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Membership 2022
| Membership January 2022 Admissions Dismissals By Death Membership @ December 2022 Member called home Nancy Knight |
86 2 |
|---|---|
| 88 | |
| 1 | |
| 87 | |
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