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 no￿allY 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 resour￿5. 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 a￿ve 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