LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH open hearts open minds open doors ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Latchford Baptist Church Registered Address: Loushers Lane, Latchford, Warrington WA4 2RP Charity Reglstration Number: 1200649 Trustees: The Revd C Urwin (Minister) Mr R Urwin (Church Secretary) (from 28 Jan 2024) Mr P Wilkinson (Church Treasurer) Mr C Ablott Miss T Critchley Mr M Hulse (until 28 May 2024) Miss R Nichols (from 28 Jan 2024) The Revd N Stanton ffransitional Minister) (until 12 July 2024) Mrs S Wilknnson Property Trustees The Baptist Union Cortx)ration Ltd., Bapts'st House, 129 Broadway, Didcot Oxll 8RT Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc, P O Box 250, Skelmersdale WN8 6wr Independent Examiner Mr I Hope
Annual Report for 2024 The Trustees present th8r Annual Rep)rt for 2024 Structure. Governance and Management Latchford Baptist Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The assets, liabilities and activities of the Unincorporated Church were transferred to the CIO on l January 2024. The Charity is govemed by a constitution based on the Approved Governing Document for Baptist Churches. Baptism by immersion UFX)n personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist Church. Membership of the Church is open to those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and who have indicated acceptance of the Beliefs of the Church, a willingness to participate in the acknwties and acceptsnce of the duty of Members. Persons seeking membership who have not been bapbsed may be welcomed as Associate Members in accordance with the Constitution. The Church Members, M&ting noallY takes place four times per year and has reswnsibility for the overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the Members appoint up to five Trustees, who together with the Ministerfs), Church Secretary and Treasurer {who are also appointed by the Members), are responsible for the day to day running of the Church's work and witness, and the finanaal and legal aspects of the charity. All Members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objecknve. Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church Members, Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by Members in the Church Members. Meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at ChLtrch Members. Meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church Seeks to work by consensus wherever possible. Objectives and Activities The principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the wodd. To achieve the principal objective, which is *t out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in b)th word and deed and to bring [pIe into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord. Central to the work and witness of the Church 15 the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services normally tske ace each Sunday at 10.45 am. The Church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community, and the services are open for anyone to attend. The Church holds prayer to be of central importance and seeks to incorwrdte prayer within our regular acttvities, including a fothighuy prayer meeting. The thurch runs a midweek group on the church premises for the growth of faith and discipleship and fvrther detsils can be obtsined from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship. The Church is responsible for a Wellbeing Café (Renew with a Brew) which meets in the church premises on Tuesday momings. It is open to adults from the church and local community and offers a wam, safe Spa where everyone is welcome and valued. Renew with a Brew has a focus on attending to our mentsl health and wellbeing, by connecting with others and making
friendships, leaming new skills, bringing or sharing hobbies, and thus demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. The Church works in partnership with Warrington Foodbank to provide an affordable food panty (The ttle Shop at Latchford) which is run in the premises for three two-hour sessions each week. The shop is open to anyone from the community to help them make their limited money go further. It also provides support as a friendly meeting pla, offering refreshments and signposting people to other helpful organisations and resour5. Whenever possible, the Church makes available its premises, at a reasonable rate, to community groups, including other churches. This is done as an acknowledgement of our commitment to serving our community in various ways. The Church operates a safeguarding system to ensure that all pIe working with children and adults at risk are appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Barring Service and receive regular safeguarding training. The Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britsin and the North Westem Baptist Assooation. The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that the acbvities outlined ave dearfy demonstrate that the chartty is providing a benefit to the public. Achievements and Perfomian The Church does not measure the success of tts programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tsngible areas. These would include the practical and emotional support of individuals and families within the church and the wider community. Also, through our support of churches, projects and organi5ations with a national and intemational reach, the impact of the Church is also seen in the spiritual and physical transformation of lives in places further afield. 2024 has been a year with a lot of thange and challenge for the Church, but through it all we have seen the faithfulness of Gc<l. We have gatlY appreciated the continuing ministry of the Revd Carolyn Urwin, our Minister, especially through her overall leadership and regular leading of Sunday Worship in its various forms. She has developed a whole range of worship resources, in parb"cular for our café seNices, felines (liturgy-based) Services and other reflecttve services. This has given confidence to other Church Member5 to offer to lead more services. This is especially helpftjl as there are now fewer visiting preachers available, and with Carolyn most likely due to retire in 2025. We developed a monthly pattem for Sunday Worship which normally includes a communion rvice, a service led by a visittng preacher, a cafe servi, accessible to people not used to coming to church, and a knfelines seN1. Our Transitional Minister, Revd Neal Stanton, concluded his time with us in July when it ached its natural ending. His contribution, particularfy with the development of the Little Shop at Latchford, was acknowledged at a farewell lunch held in December. Malcolm Hulse stepped down as Church Secretsry at the AGM in January 2024, and Robin Urwin was elected in his place. Malcolm s contribution to church life over many years, t(yJether with that of Gill, his wife, was greatly appreciated and will be missed, as they have now moved from the area. It has been wonderfvl to see the building being used by our own groups and also outside users on every day of the Wk.
Renew with a Brew, our Renew Wellbeing café, has bn running for 3 years, meeting every Tuesday morning, thanks to the commitment of our team of Hosts. We regulady have 20 people attending and we were pleased to welcome the walking fi)otballers from Warrington Town FC next door, which brought numbers up to 28 on some occasions. As well as offering our regular acbvities of games, jigsaws and crafts, alongside our prayer space, we have established links with several local support groups in Warrington, who come and offer advi. A new initiative this year was the opening of the Litue Shop at Latchford as an affordable food pantry, in partnership with Warrington Foodbank in April. The former prayer room, which was no longer in use, was refvrbished and fitted out as the tde Shop. Chris Ablott has taken the lead in forging the links with the Foodbank and the team of volunteers, which includes some from our church. The Little Shop currenuy opens for three sessions each week - Tuesday (5 to 7 pm) and Thursday (10.30 to 12.30 and 1.30 to 3.30 pm). The number of shoppers from the local community has gradually built up during the year and now can exceed 60 a week, The Litde Shop is helping people from our community make ends meet, especially during the current cost of living challenges. The Church provides free refreshments for all the shoppers while they wait and we raise awareness of what the Church can offer to them, as well as signposting them to organisations and resources that can help with a wide range of issues. Towards the end of the year, the Church had a Fwj Hygiene Inspection and was awarded a 5- Star rating, covering both Latchford Baptist Church and the Litue Shop The Church midweek group followed three courses during the year - Spot the Difference (a Lent Course), Fruitfulness on the Frontline and Growing on the Frontline. These helped develop our faith and built confidence in living out our Christian lives wherever we are. Two other churches meet on the church premises - the Lalan Church (WCF Jézuski Khangeri) and JCIM (a predominantly Filipino congregation). Other regular users this year have been Ncr for ante-natal courses, 3RS for after-school tuition, Tai Chi classes for people with long covid and Alcoholics Anonymous. The premises were used for the Local and General Elections and were also made available for occasional one-off bookings from the local community. The Trustees seek to ensu that the church buildings are kept in go1 pair and are fit for purpose. Having buildings in gocxj repair means they can be used safely for church activities and by other groups. SeicIng the three central heating EK)ilers, the fire extinguishers and fire alarms, and PAT testing all 100 portable appliances are an essential part of this. These, like many other tssks, are so often unseen and we are gratefijl to our Fabric Committee who oversee and often undertake much of the work. With the premises being used by a lot rn0 people, we increased the hours of the church cleaner. The major work undertaken this year, in addition to that aladY mentioned in relation to the Litde Shop, was the replacement of the floor in the Hub and purchase of additional chairs, which completed the rerbIShrnent of the Hub. The Hub now offers a warm, welcoming and attractive environment which has been appreciated by all the groups that use it. Other work undertaken included the instsllation of a TV screen and cover in the Hall, the purchase of a portable PA system for use in the Hub, a replacement water heater in the kntchen, the purchase of a portable um for use in the Hall, fixing leaks in the Hub skylight and in the roof ab)ve the Store. Other highlights of the year: The services in Holy Week and on Easter ndaY led by our minister were much appreciated by all who came. The Christmas services - with Coffee and Carols in the Hub being held for the first time - attracted people from Renew with a BW and the knttle Shop. This was led by our minister, as were the Carol Service, the Christmas Day *rVI and the Reflective service the Sunday
after. All these were very well received, thanks again to our minister and all those who took part. Two community gardening days were held The Tear Fund Quiz afternoon attracted folk from the ttle Shop and Renew with a Brew as well as members of the congregation and raised £433 for Tear Fund. Visitors to the Fabook pages for Latchford Baptist Church and Renew with a Brew have increased significantly. Christrnas gift bags made at Rerthv with a Brew and filled with small gifts and presented to shoppers and volunteers at the Little Shop. During 2024 one new Member was Vlcomed into membership, two igned due to moving away from the aa, and one sadly died. Barbara Pitcher had been a Member since 2014 and was a faithful member of the congregation and has bn gadY missed. The membership as of 31 December 2024 stood at 27. A rewew of the membership is currently underway. Following the departure of the Revd Neal Stsnton as Transitional Minister, the Trustees held Strategy Day in September to consider the way ahead for the Church. They recognised that there were now fewer Church Members and there was the possibility the time might come when we could not continue to function properly as a Church and CIO. In the meantime, the current strategy is to focus on sharing God's love through active engagement with our local community and witness to people around us wherever they are. We will continue to work and pray together for sufficient growth in numbers to keep the Church open. The Trustees presented a draft Strategy Statement to the Church Members, Mting in October and thi5 was agreed with a few small adjustments. A number of steps were agreed including: continue to encourage thurch people to be rn0 involved in engaging with people who come to Renew with a Brew and the café we run alongside The ttle Shop and Talking Point. adverbse our Cafe Services (which will be on a wellbeing-related theme) to those who attend Renew with a Brew and The Litde Shop Speak to the NWBA Team at(*Ut ftjture transition in the light of our recent experience wtth Transitional Ministy. make adjustments in the light of our now being a smaller church by having a smaller diaconate, whilst encouraging participation by the whole of the Church in the tasks that need to be done. explore the potential for more of the administrative tssks to be performed by paid workers or volunteers from within or OLtside the Church congregation. have a regular Sunday programme of services which indude those suitsble for being led by Members of the Churd). Co-ordinate the themes of Sunday services, the Midweek Group and the Prayer Meeting 9) they become part of a single programme rather than separate strands, enabling us to more cleady hear and respond to G(JJ's leading. promote the sense of 'bdonging' by ensuring our Church's programme is oriented towards creating OPFQrtunities for people with no church allegiance to feel there is somewhere they can belong and regard as heIrs..
It was also agreed to plan into the prcmjramme for 2025 the idea of meeting on a Friday evening once a month instead of meeting on the Sunday moming that week. The format would be adjusted so it was less churchy than the café services with a simple meal at the Winning with a view to making it more accessible for people who already come to Renew with a Brew or who visit the ttle Shop. It will be called 'SearchlighV. The Trustees have since met with the Revd Jane Henderson of the NW&A and the Revd Ken Livingstone, an experienced Baptist minister, as a result of which they have invited Ken to work with them on an (CaSIOnal basis over the next few months as a development advisor as they ty to seek a sustainable way forward. Finanaal Review The Church continues to raise the majority of the funds which it needs to cary on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year. The accompanying financial ststement shows that the balan in our accounts reduced by just over £7,000 from £65,829 to £58,456 by the end of 2024. Thi5 mainly resulted from some significant non-recurring expenditure, e.g. Transitional Ministry and improvements to The Hub, and therefore was not a cause for Conrn. There were welcome increases in the weekly offerings and income from the hire of the buildings. The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making donations to local, national and intemational organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the Church's own charitsble purFX)se. The Church is heavily dependent on its membership wothng as volunteers in all aspects of the Church's attivities, many of which run wrth little or no impact on the Churth s expenditure but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the Church's objectives. We are grateful to everyone who has played a pa¢ however big or small, in serving the Church through the past year. We are grateful to Phil Wilknnson for all his work on the finances over another year as Church Treasurer. He will be standing down from this role at the AGM in January 2025. The Trustees are satisfied that they have more than suffioent re*rves at the end of the year, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year. Signed by Robin Urwin on behalf of the Trustees Date: 17 January 2025
LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH ANNUAL ACCOUPITS AND STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABiunES FOR 2024 The accounts and ststement of assets and liabilities as set out on p8ges11 to 4) relating to the year ended 31st Deeember 2024 are as approved by the deacon$. Slgned: (freasurer or other Deacon authorised to sign on behawof all the deacons) PLL¢ T L3JQ 16/01124 Dato: REPORT OF THE INDEPENDEKf EXAMINERIS) TO THE DEACOMS AMD MEMBERS OF LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH In accordance the provisions of tion 43 of the Charities Act 1993, 1 have examin ble receipts and payTnents a¢¢ount(s) and statsment of assets and liabile$ Jf Latthford Baptist Churth rel8ting the the year ended 31st Dember 2024. The examination dKI nDtextend to a comprehenstve audit of such accounts or statemenl I conff rm that the accounts and statement accord wrth the accoLtntingaTrdards ofthe church and that such records satisfy the requirements of the Act l am not aware d ary tnatter which attention needs to be draTr in order to obtain a proper understsnding of the ac£%$ts. (signed by independent examiner): IA%r4 14oL Ai Name (with other professional qLFalifications} and address.. Lkl WHITéfc£LtJ O CiCYeh) IALk- 6NA 1£ IOIS
LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2024 General Receipts and Payments Recei Note 2024 2023 Weekly Offerings Use of Buildings Donations Mission Raised for Other Causes Fund Raising Other IncA)me Church Groups 27.001.40 18,996.00 518.15 25.123.50 11,575.00 1,013.34 599.05 2,269.18 18,414.83 280.00 458.17 1,287.56 22.240.00 220.00 11 68,078.61 61,857.57 MinTsty Mission Other Causes Church propety Adrninistration Other Expendibjre Church Groups 30,375.15 27,833.93 7,587.80 6.679.55 362.55 563.10 22,557.14 24,476.32 2,668.41 4.009.22 867.69 150.00 265.91 305.22 64.684.65 64017.34 10 11 Surplus IDefl¢it) for the year 3,393.96 2.159.T7 Balance * 1st January Interest from Depostt Account Interest from BUC Deposit Account Balance at 31 December 1.380.43 303.25 1,632.62 4,714.39 3.540.20 413.13 302.99 1.380.43 13 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2024 Current ant Deposit account- BU Deposit account- Coop Non-monetary assets 4,774.39 42,336.16 11,348.58 7D,DQO.00 70,000.00 128.459.13 135,829.30 1,380.43 64,448.87 14 14 12 Llabllftles
LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH Notes to the accounts l The basss of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and accord with S4213} Ch8ribes Act 2 Use of bulldlngs Latvian Church JCIM 3RS NCT Goldensmiths Conexu5 Tuibon Tai Chi 7.560.00 3,380.00 2.860.00 1.731.00 120.00 600.00 1,000.00 480.00 900.00 365.00 18,996.00 WBC ma[L4ne0uS 3 Donations 518.15 518.15 4a Mlsslon Income BMS Wortd Mission HMF NWBA Foc*Jbank Renew Wellbeing Room at the Inn UCB Church WYFC Expendtturè 2.616.00 2,796.(JJ 750.00 200.00 350.00 150.00 150.00 515.80 60.00 7,587.80 4b Other causes Income 45.00 Foodbank (Harvest} Pancreatic Cancer Room at the Inn (Christmas) Warr Youth for Christ BMS ExFenditure 45.00 90.00 152.55 25.00 50.00 362.55 152.55 85.00 50.00 392.55 5 Fund rdlslng cardBookS eBay sales Stewardship Miscellaneous 179.78 873.65 1,2C6.25 9.50 2,269.18
LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH Notes to the accounts 6 Other Income Grft Repayrnent Transfer from Deposit Account DIA interest 1 &1 Intemet Credit NWBA Min Conf Refund Refund From Hope INSI Amazon Reftjnd BMS Tearfund Quiz BcK*klets Sale 4.922.61 12,5CN).12 111.19 13.81 265.00 335.00 10.10 130.00 103.00 24.00 18.414.83 7 Ministry Stind Inett) TaxJNI ITotal) Expenses RenL Phone. etc PensB)n NS Totsl Costs PreachiTrJ Fees 6,314.61 1.579.44 804.98 5.574.78 4,014.57 11.656.77 430.00 30,375.15 8 Church propety Electriclty Gas Cleaning Telephone Church Hub ModrfaknOns Water Chairs in Hub TOlt Heaters Window repairs Leaflet Holders Insurance New Televisv)n {Hall) New Boi PA System Boiler Seryi PAT testing Fire Exbnguisher se1 milIaneOuS 8C(J.56 1,981.02 2,725.00 431.64 5,851.84 120.38 1.445.40 867.00 150.00 324.78 3.279.57 688.98 459.97 3C6.49 180.00 200.00 85.20 2,659.31 22.557.14 9 Administation Catering Prinb"ng & Ststionery Fees Gifts l Flowers CIO Costs 740.86 482.24 760.11 169.80 515.40 2,668.41
LATCHFORD BAPTIST CHURCH Notes to the accounts 10 Other expenditure [rrne Expenditure 111.19 450.00 162.50 144.00 867.69 Transfer to DIA Conexus Refund BMS Tearfund 11 Church groups Ino)me 200.00 80.00 280.00 Transfer fr(Mn DIA donabons to Renew Expenditure 265.91 265.91 12 Non-monetary assets The legal tille to the church premises is held in trust ty the church's custodian trustee lThe Bapb"st Union CoTp)ration Ltd) The church owns the contents (Insuran valuation) 70,000.00 70,000.00 13 Interesl on deposit account Cooperative Bank BUC 303.25 1.632.62 1,935.87 14 Disposition of monles in Deposlt Account Church Gilbert Legacy 6.348.58 5,000.00 BU Deposlt Account 42,336.16 53,684.74