Chairman's Report
March 2024
We have certainly had a very busy year! Because of the time and effort it has taken, it feels as though one of our major achievements has been to finally get a bank account up and running. We are very grateful to Sandy, for her perseverance and tenacity in achieving this, and to BFC for minding our finances in the meantime.
We had a good number of people, and a very enjoyable and informative evening, for our first 'Inspirational Speaker' in September, and we are looking forward to continuing this as we welcome MAF in April, and Dr Tim Fooks, in September.
Messy Church is thriving, with 30+ children, and their accompanying adults, attending most months. Many of these families do not have church links, and it is a real privilege to be able to share something of God's love with them, month by month. It would be great to have a few more helpers, so that we would have more time to talk to people, but we are very grateful to all who already help in any way.
Again, last Summer, we had a marquee at the Billingshurst Show, with Messy Church providing craft activities for the children, Baby Zone providing feeding and changing facilities for parents with babies, and plenty of information about other church activities. For the first time, we were able to repeat this at the Primary School Summer Fair, and we look forward to attending both events again this year.
For the week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as well as an excellent service at St Mary’s, we had a series of four evening prayer meetings, focusing on various aspects of our shared ministries. Some of these were better attended than others, but we know that where even two or three people are gathered in Jesus' name, He is in the midst, and we were very much aware of His presence as we prayed together.
The Walk of Witness on Good Friday 2023, was very well supported, and we are now looking forward to this year's. This, and the fantastic Walking
Nativity, organised by St Mary's at Christmas, are real opportunities to take Christ out into our village.
Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We may not be going into the whole world, but many of the activities supported by CTiB are ways of reaching out to show God's love, and share the Good News, at least in our village. It is also a real joy getting to know folk from each other's churches and have opportunities to pray and worship together.
I am very grateful to you all, for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing what plans God has for us in the coming year.
Brenda Homden.
Chairman, Churches Together in Billingshurst.
March 20[th] 2024.
Financial Report for year ending December 31[st] 2023
During this period, all Funds were held in the accounts of Billingshurst Family Church and are included in their year end accounts to March 31[st] 2024.
Summary: April – December 2023
| CTB Funds Total |
General | Messy Church | Seniors Coffee Club |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFWD 1.4.23 | 586 | 300 | 0 | 286 |
| Income | 3100 | 1682 | 80 | 1338 |
| Expenses | -3657 | -861 | -1205 | -1591 |
| Balance 31.12.23 | 29 | 1121 | -1125 | 33 |
Donations from the four member churches during the year covered all costs incurred. The balance £29.23 has now been transferred to Churches Together in Billingshurst’s own bank account.
An outstanding donation £400 was received in January 2024 and will form part of the 2024 accounts.
Sue Gatland
Treasurer
Billingshurst Family Church March 4" 2024