FINAGHY BAPTIST CHURCH Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31 December 2023 Name of Charity: CCNI Number: Fin8ghy Baptist Church (FBCI 107403 Address: 1 The Hawthorns, Fin8ghy, Belfast, BT10 ONA 1" January 2023 to 31" December 2023 This report relates to the Financial year: Purpose: "FBC acknowledges the he8dship 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 public, in accordance with biblicaL principles and practice, especially in Finaghy, South and West Belf8St 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 forthe extension of His Kingdom. The principal charitable object of FBC is the adv8ncement of the Christian faith accordingto the teachings of Scripture as reflected in FBC'S Doctrin8l Statement. Secondary charltable objects Include, the prevention and relief of poverty, the teaching of children, young persons, and adults to live lives which are law abiding, moral and godly, the support of mission work at home and abroad including evangelism 8nd projects aimed at Improved livlng circumstances and the provlsion of lovlng practlcal care and supportto both FBC members 8nd to Local communities in which FBC people Ilve. 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, disablllty, financial hardship or other disadvantage. Activities and Achievements and Impact Having established the benefit of having our Sunday morning services online, we continueto make this available to the congregation to include those unable to get out, for whatever reason. We also hold almost weekly prayertimes on a Sunday evening as well as an opportunityto meet in Small Groups in someone's home for Bible study and prayer during the week. This allows us to support, encourage, Legrn and prayfor one another. There are also a number of special events throughout the year, including E8Ster, Harvest 8nd Christmas activities. We send regular information, regarding activities and prayer, by email to allow for effective communication, but also send by post for 8 few older members of the congregation without
access to email, to ensure they are not excluded. We meet weeklytor refreshments after the service and once a month eat lunch together, enjoying food and fellowship with one another. Our seniors meet monthly for a dellcious soup lunch and a chance to catch up together with a short Bible talk. This is very much appreciated by all who attend each month, as it comb8ts the isolation and loneliness some of them feel. We are very thankful to those who m8ke this possible. Our Pastor and Elders also visit with the elderly and sick in particular, as needed. Our chiLdren and young people are c8tered for in a variety of ways. During our Sunday morning service. we have age appropriate sessions forthose in primary school as well as those who are pre-school. This allows the parents to concentrate on the main service, knowingtheir children are well cared for. These are weLI attended, and we have had quite a number of new babies in 2023. On a Sunday evening the youth meettogether in a safe space for their own time of fellowship. learning and fun together. They also have a variety of outings throughout the year, this allows them to connect and brings a sense of belonging. Duringthe summer there is also an opportunityfor our children and young people to attend a week-long event called Crossroads. This is a joint venture run by Scripture Union Nl alongside several of the locaL churches working together. Duringthis week Finaghy is buzzing with the excitement of these events. There are a small number who join with other churches in the localityto pray once a month and to enjoy breakfast together, this allows us to support and encourage one another and show o.ur unity even as different churches. We continue to collect food forthe SW Belfast Foodbank on a regular basis with a speciat emphasis on harvest Sunday In October. We also participate in filling shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse which go to children around the world. although most of these were filled online thisyear. We support a number of our members prayerfully, financially and with encour8gement as they live overseas, sharing their lives and their faith. We encourage them when they are back in Northern Ireland and spend time to support and care for them practically and pastorally. We love to see them engage with FBC and know it benefits US 8s we learn about their lives overseas. Each year, we also walk around the local community singing Carols and distributing some Christmas goodies and invites to our activities, especiallyto our CaroLs by Candlelight. This was well attended by our congregation and some local families too. It was Lovelyto be able to chat to people from the locaL communityto build relationships and celebrate together over seasonal refreshments after the service. Finances: The financial position of FBC atthe end of the financialyear 31" December 2023 was, Overall Income: £118,035 Overall Expenditure: £126,633 We claimed Gift Aid on any eligible income and in totalwe received £15.399 OurAnnual accounts for 2023 wlll be examined and reported on by our Independent Examiner, GwendoLyn Stone.
CharltyTrustees: The FBC Trustees consist of FBC Elders, the FBC Treasurer and the FBC Secretary. The Treasurer and Secretary are appointed bythe Elders and Deacons IFBC Off icer Holders) normally from among their number, or if no one from that number is able to accept either of these responsibilitles, the Elders and Deacons shall nominste for elther appointment a person from the church membership who, in their opinion meets the qu8tification8 to fulfil such an appointment. In these circumstances appointment to such a post shall conterthe Office of Deacon. Those duly elected as Secretary and Treasurer may remaln In position untilthelr Off ice as Elder and l or Deacon cease. Office Holders are usually elected by tho members of FBC at the Annual General Meeting. The Finaghy Baptist Church Trustees are: Gary Ellison Pastor Sally-ann Hamilton Secretary Ashley Eves Treasurer Joel Hutchinson {Resigned May 2024) Trustees Statement: The FBC Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission Northern Ireland Publlc Ben8fit guldance and have carrled outthe activities of an FBC Trustee with due regard to It. Governance: FBC is an independent Baptist church, voluntarily 8ff iliated with the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland for support and advice. The church is governed by its Constitutlon, updated and formally agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting of the church members on th 9 June 2019. Private Benefit: The only private benefits flowlngfrom our purposes are the provislon of stlpend for any pastor of the Church who will also assume the role of Trustee and paid employment for the personnel required to supportthe work of the Church. Such stipends and salaries 8re necessaryto enable the Church to provide the pastoral and administrative support required to fulfil the stated purpose, and any incurred expenses are incidental. Mitlgatlon of Harm: The following Indlvlduals have been appointed from amongthe Members of FBC to advls&the Trustees in key areas: Hazel Morrow Safeguarding Coordinator Health & Safety Officer The Safeguarding Coordinator leads a SafeguardingTeam who help to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults in our care. The Safegu8rding Team ensure the careful implementation of our S8feguarding Policy. The Health and Safety Off icer advises the Trustees on the Health 8nd S8fety Policy including risk assessments and fire prevention. FBC offers regu18rtr8ining to help prevent harm or Andrew Robinson
accidents and to ensure our public benefits can be c8rried out safely. The church also has 8 GDPR policy in place. These appointed members provide updates for each Trustees meeting, including a detoiled report annu811y. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees: This annual report has been agreed upon by all FBC Trustees as 8 true representation of the actlvities. achievements and situation of FBC at the end of the financial year 31" December 2023. Secretary: Sally-ann Hamilton Treasurer: Ashley Eves Date: Date: