FINAGHY BAPTIST CHURCH Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31 December 2022 Name of Charity: CCNI Number: Finaghy Baptist Church {FBCI 107403 Address: l The Hawthorns, Finaghy, Belfast, BTIO ONA I" January 2022 to 31" December 2022 This report relates to the Financial year: Purpose: "FBC acknowledges the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ over His Church and exists to glorify the triune God by maintaining and promoting His worship both individually and corporately. FBC members devote themselves to the teaching of Scripture (the Bible), to fellowship, to communion and to prayer. FBC is also committed to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ among the general publlc, in accordance with biblical principles and practice, especially in Finaghy, South and West Belfast and Dunmurry, but also throughout the world. FBC members commit, with the help of God, to witness to the love of God, to the saving and sustaining power of the Lord Jesus Christ and to work for the extension of His Kingdom. The principal charitable object of FBC is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the teachings of Scripture as reflected in FBC'S Doctrinal Statement. Secondary charitable objects include, the prevention and relief of poverty, the teaching of children, young persons, and adults to live lives which are law abidin& moral and godly, the support of mission work at home and abroad including evangelism and projects aimed at improved living circumstances and the provision of loving practical care and support to both FBC members and to local communities in which FBC people live." Publlc Beneflts: The advancement of religion. The prevention or relief of poverty. The advancement of citizenship or community development. The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage Activitie5 and Achievements and Impact Our services continued to be hybrid throughout 2022, the building was open for meetings, but for those who were more vulnerable or felt unable to attend in person we ensured that online streaming was available. There was constant review of Risk Assessments to enable us to operate effectively, but safely. Communication was a key aspect of keeping everyone in contact and up to date, using email or post as needed to send updates and prayer informatlon. This enabled everyone to stay connected in one way or another which wa5 Vital In these difficult times where loneliness and isolation is now so prevalent.
Many of our activities ran throughout the year giving opportunity to meet for fellowship, encouragement, prayer and socialisation. There were monthly lunch meetings for our seniors and various care packages throughout the year, which enabled them to keep in touch, feel loved and enjoy a sense of belonging. On Sundays the whole congregation met together. We were able to serve refreshments and spend time chatting after the service. Our youngsters had their own age-appropriate activities. In the summer they even had an opportunity to visit a farm and enjoy an outing together as well as the fun of a Christmas party. Our creche is thriving with a number of new babies being added and the excitement of more on the way. Our young people met regularly which gave a safe space for them to be able to enjoy each otherfs company a5 well as have fun and learn more about Jesus and who he is. They enjoyed a weekend of glamping up in Limavady as well as a stroll around the Belfast Christmas Market together. Over the summer, there wa5 also a joint venture between several churches in Finaghy and Scripture Union, called Cr055roads, which gave children the opportunity to have fun, learn from the Bible and Spend time together. We were even joined by a team from Spain who helped to run the weekly activities, bringing a whole cross-cultural element to the week. The week was a busy one and for health and safety purposes had restriction5 on numbers. It was well attended, and we trust next year we will be able to run it even better and bigger without so many restrictions. There are a small number who join with other churches in the locality to pray once a month and to enjoy breakfast together, this allows us to support and encoura8e one another and show our unity even as different churches. We continued to collect food for the South West Belfast Foodbank on a regular basis and engage with our local community helping wherever possible. We collected and filled shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse which go to children around the world. We financially and prayerfully support a number of our members who Ilve overseas, sharing their lives and their faith. We seek to encourage them when they are back in Northern Ireland. Our Global Missions Team also helps to guide us in supporting and caring for them practical and pastorally. We love to see them engage with FBC and know it benefits us as we learn about their lives overseas. It has been such a blessing to have a few of those families with us for a while in 2022. We also walked around the local community singing Carols and distributing some Christmas invites to our activities and especially to our Carols by Candlelight event, which was well attended by our congregation and some local families too. It was lovely to be able to chat to people from the local community to build relationships and celebrate together over refreshments after the service. This year we also had a voluntary offering for financial support to the crisis Sltuation in Afghanistan and £4200.13 wa5 raised. Finances: The financial position of FBC at the end of the financial year 31 December 2021 wa5, Overall Income: £ 138, 735 Overall Expendlture: £ 129, 427 We claimed Gift Aid on any eligible income and in total we received £ 31, 808
Our Annual accounts for 2022 will be examined and reported on by our Independent Examiner, Gwendolyn Stone. Charity Trustees: The FBC Trustees consist of FBC Elders, the FBC Treasurer and the FBC Secretary. The Treasurer and Secretary are nominated by the Elders and Deacons {FBC Officer Holders) normally from among their number, or if no one from that number is able to accept either of these responsibilities, the Elders and Deacons shall nominate for either appointment a person from the church membership who, in their opinlon meets the qualifications to fulfil such an appointment. In these circumstances appointment to such a post shall confer the Office of Deacon. Those duly elected as Secretary and Treasurer may remain in position until their Office as Elder and / or Deacon cease. Office Holders are usually elected by the members of FBC at the Annual General Meeting. The Flnaghy Baptlst Church Trustees are: Gary Ellison Pastor (acting Chair until June 20221 Sally-ann Hamilton Secretary Ashley Eves Treasurer Joel Hutchinson Chair (on Sabbatical until June 2022} Trustees Statement: The FBC Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission Northern Ireland Public Benefit guidance and have carried out the activities of an FBC Trustee with due regard to it. Governance.. FBC is an independent Baptist church, voluntarily affiliated with the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland for support and advice. The church is governed by its Constitution, updated and formally th agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting of the church members on 9 June 2019. Private Benefit: The only prlvate benefits flowing from our purposes are the provision of stipend for any pastor of the Church who will also assume the role of Trustee and paid employment for the personnel required to support the work of the Church. Such stipends and salaries are necessary to enable the Church to provide the pastoral and administrative support required to fulfil the ststed purpose, and any incurred expenses are incidental. Mltigation of Hami: The following individuals have been appointed from among the members of FBC to advise the Trustees in key areas: Hazel Morrow Safeguardin8 Coordinator Andrew Robinson Health & Safety Officer The Safeguarding Coordinator leads a Safeguarding Team who help to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults in our care. The Safeguarding Team ensure the careful implementation of our Safeguarding Policy,
The Health and Safety Officer advises the Trustees on the Health and Safety Policy including risk assessments and fire prevention. FBC offers regular training to help prevent harm or accidents and to ensure our public benefits can be carried out safely. The church also has a GDPR policy in place. These appointed members provide updates for each Trustees meeting, including a detailed report annuallv. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees: This annual report has been agreed upon by all FBC Trustees as a true representation of the activities, achievements and situation of FBC at the end of the financial year 31 December 2022. Secretary: Sally-ann Hamilton Treasure hle Eves Date: Date: 26-q-23