HOSPITALITY. HEALTH . HOLINESS 02 February 2025 Annual General Meeting Largs Church of the Nazarene V15ion Statement Largs Church of the Nazarene will fulfil our mission to make Christlike disciples, to incorporate believers into fellowship and membership, and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith, by focusing on hospitality, health, and holiness. Hospitality entails providing a welcoming safe space and fellowship at the Lord's table, while health includes promoting good stew- ardship of ourselves and our environment, and holiness is perfect love and heart cleansing that transforms the way we think and act. Following the example of the early church in Acts 2, we believe that God will bless our efforts and empower us with the Holy Spirit to bring wholeness and healing to ourcommunity. LARGS CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 21 AITKEN STREET. LARGS KA30 8AT
Largs Church of the Nazarene AGM PastOTS' Report Febnwy 2025 To the family and ftiends of L8rg8 Church of the N879r¢ne, g]ng6 in the tK)w¢rful name of Jesus ChTiSt our tA)rd and Saviour. In just a few months we will celebrate our sixth anniversary as ciFpastots heTE in largs, and we are than to God and to our hwrh family for the blessin8 of thes¢ many years of ministsy among such wondcrfill people. G(Kl has been faithfid, and both the con8re8ation and the community bave been an unfailin8 Source of support to W8. As we look back at 2024 it is clear that God has been leading and guiding and providing new opportunities for those who so faithfully build the Kingdo and we aT¢ certain that He will eontinue to do so. In facl as we hav¢ shared with you all rently, we believe that God has QmiSed that 2025 will be our mast meaningfvl year yet! Bul even as w¢ look ahead with expectstion, we look bxk at the year FKhind us with gra*ful hearts. truly thankfill for what (lod has donc. During 2024, our forniat of Sunday morning worthip Ind our metId& of hospitality ministy continued to provide a model for churches on our districL our region. and around the world. Athlilional details are included fft the HOSpitlty Ministry's separate report Attcndanc¢ at our Sunday morning 8crvic¢8 contin to stratn th¢ limits of (K worship space. We are Ih8nkful not onty for the faithful Presence of those who have been a part of LargsNaz for some time. but s0 for so many new fa$ at our 8¢rvx¢es and events. W¢ thank G(xl for the ljarvest He has Ffovided and for He continues to bless us with as we keep an ear out for a larger worship space. We know that God has a ple for ug and we look forward lo findin8 It in its time. Meanwhile our avrent facilities serve us well and we appreciat¢ so much the work of all those who keep our tl]dIng fimctionmg and attractiv¢. Our Sunday services are the result of the efforls of many volunteers who offer their time and ¢n¢rgy to ensure that things go smoothly. Ow setup team. our cooks and bakers and helpers, and our breakthlwn and clean44) W are indispensabl¢ to ow ability to offtr what has ¢¢tsinly been a gift from our creative and in8pirin8 G(xl who through the Holy Spirit is bringing Tevival to our church and Ixw comnrrity. In addition to being well-attended OUT services are also SpiTit-led thanks to God's PT&8ence, the OrnneSS of our congregation and the faithInesS of 0r dedicated worship teAm OUT seryices also contmue to be recor&d and uplo&lol to YouTub¢ and followed internationalty. Views of each of our wv1$ several hu[th individuals, and
our channel recently surpassed twenty-four thousand individual views since we began it in Novemb¢r of 2020. In 2024. our services wete View more than eight thousand times, compared to 2023, when they were viewed over 62qMb times. We continue to praise Gcrfl for the overwheln]ing r¢sp)nse to our media and we are thank for this t¢¢hnology and thc WAY that it is being used to spre&l the g(M)d news. Our monthly newsletter and sixial media presence also continue to be p)pular and effective ways to ¢ommunicate with our ¢ommunty. Our W¢dnesday evening Prayer meeting4 with their devotionaLIBible study component, w¢re well-attended and mu¢h appre¢jatl durin8 2024. W¢ know that prayer is the lifebl(M)d of any flourishing church. and we are blesseAI with a church family who appreciate the power of prnyer and it into acti whether they attend the midweek gathering or nol. Our Thursday Common Ground community me41s w¢re a valuable ministy to our community durAng 2024, a1 will LX)ntinue into th¢ future. At Common Cjround our friends a1 neighbours find a welcoming pla m our church builth'ng where their spiritual> physical. aTrl m¢ntal h¢alth needs are met throu8h f¢llowship. sharal conv¢rsatson and u communal meal. There are rnort detsils about Common Gmund in our Hospitality Mini8ty'8 report. We continued some tr8ditions in 2024. such as summertime Psa]m Beach sern]on seri&s, and (w Food for Thought Sernion series. (Xw LX)ngregants and viewers have expressed their thanks for our other new sennon such as Analomicaily Corr¢¢4 Anirn Talcs, and Faith Seeking Understanding. Our church family has also expressed their appreciation for our oc£asional Hallelujah Sundays featiwing praise and Worsh as well as scriptur¢ and t¢stimony. Some additional notable hi8hli8hts of the past year IT]ude. We were bless¢d to s¢e the addition of five new rnembers in 2024. and we continue to follow the L4)Td's 8uidanc¢ as He provides for the growth of the Kin8dom here in Latgs. Pastor Steve wthored four Scriptural commmtsries for the Wesleyan lectionary resource website, -A Plain AccounL" 1&8t year. Pastor Steve also laught four workshops for those on the OTdination track on the BlhT) district: (*ristian Lxadct5hip" New FoTrns ofchurch. Growing Healthy Churches. and Theories and St¢S1¢s of Evange]ism. ere invited to sk lo the P5 cla&s at Wesl Kilbride Prirnary in Febnwy 2024. We thank God foT this outreach OPPOTtuwty.
On Harvest Sunday in October. LargsNaz Collected an overwhelrning offering of donations for the targs Food Banl for which they were especially grat¢ful. In SteMber. members of Larg8Naz gave g¢nouslY to support the reli¢f efforts in the US following Hurricane Helene. r chur¢h'$ geOuS Alabaster offerings in septemb will help sUprt missionary efforts around the world through the geneTai churclL In July our ¢huTGh board voted to forni our Visitation Conunittce. headedby Wilma CApx¢hi aTKI to name Tom Fullerton as ow Ioc8lly-licen5ed Visitation Pastors T&sha and Steve represented IS Church of the Nazarene in th¢ opening day parnd¢ at the Largs Vthin8 Festival in Au8USt. Lar8sNaz participated in the LArgs Food Bank's fundrwser in June, and our Hospitality Ministy provi<kd prepared meals to the foodbank &4 well (more details are in the s¢parate Hospilality Ministy report). wrote th¢ "Thoughts for thc Week- for thc Lar8s and Millport New5 in July, andpr[)vided them in November. LargsNaz enjoyed a fruitful continuing relationship with the other chuhe8 in Larg8 District Churches Together, and wert happy to participate in rnany cooperativ¢ ¢ffort4 such as thc 8crYic¢ for the Wcck of Clristian Unity, the Wall( of Witne&8 thiring Holy Week. and the Seryice of Light and Remembrance. among others throughout the year. Tkn is such a swttt spirit of ciyoperation and unity aznong th¢ ChUh¢S in our are4 and wc know thal this is hclping to furth¢r GLXI'S work amon8 our nei8hbours. 'oin¢d th¢ leadership tam of the Food Bank. and continues to 8erye on the Lar8s Community Council Access to Food group. 5¢ry as a poStduat¢ advisor for the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Serninory, a role in which he continues at preseth. As they have dotte for severa] years. Lar8sNaz at the District's Ministerial Exploratson Centre on the campus of the Nazarene Theologirnl Coll¢g¢ ID Mancl]est¢r in September. One of the most memorable happenings of 2024 was surely the work-and-witness visit by mcmbers of Midland Valley Community Church of the Na7Arene, along with the South Carolina Digtrict Superintendent,
In May. Person811y, we were 80 happy to se¢ i that time. None of us will ever forget the friendshi thai were fornied with our people. who generously provid accommodation for the team and voluntcered alongsid¢ theni to help renovate our church building and to WO in the community. iTh]r Worship Spa was traDsfornied in a matter of days, and we enjoy thc changes that were m8de to our sanctuary on a daily basis. Their donation4 not only financia] (totaling more than £IO.O(M)I Imt also of tools aryl supplies that Lx¥ntinu¢ to be useiL azc very much apprecia*¢ and the Midland Va]ley team ¢(tInueS to give, 8S their financial gifts will also go toward new c4rpet and the renovats'on of our kithen in 2025. We apprKiat¢ the allowance oftim¢ to visit our family in the Ststes in November, and the special speakers, ho so lous{Y filled our pulpii during lime. '1 he treeze dryer that our Hospitslity Ministy acquired in 2024 has pVen to be a rcrnarkabl¢ piece OfquipllL that has expanded our ability to cornbal food waste and to preserve and utilize donated foods for our own L8$NaZ Pro and for others. Moff details abt this amazitig t#hnology ar¢ in the Hospitality Ministy's Tep)rt. Our community enjoyed another holxlay concert by the wondethlly talented Celiish in December. We look forward to futh visits frOMlland we apwttiate their willingness to share their tslents and with us. 2024 ended with another very succe&8fill Christmas Community m¢al, at which about 80 of OUT neighbours cnjoycd focAI and fellowship. We are so grateful to the d07Ens of volunteers. both from our LaT8sNaz family and frorn the community, who did so mucb to rnake the day & wccess. There are more details in the Hospitslity Rewi. All of our ministries in 2024 Thcrc made p088ible by generous donation8 to sNaz and lo the Hospitslity Fund and we want to tske this OpponIty to thank you again for supportll the church and all that we do. All the ministries of the church her¢ at Lar8SNazThlaTI¢S and exwlses and utilitiAI of tIMt is fingnced through YODT re8ular 8ivin8- through donati$ aThl offeriDgs and the titkn of indiTriduals jusi like you. Our church a]so giv¢s generously to the gener&1 ChuTch of the Na7Arene and to
missions throughout the worl(t As you C8D see in the clear and detailed Tre&8ur¢r's R¢porL L4rg5Naz Golltillucs to be fllwKially strong* and w¢ arc abk give generously to our community and to missions becaus¢ our church family V¢S getterously to the work of th¢ Kingdom. We gratefully xknowledge the untiring work ofour Treasurer. his impeccable keeping of our church accounts. AS always, w¢ want to express our d¢cp gratitude and appreciation to ow church board, whose energy, wisdom. good humow and en¢our2gement have been such a blessing to us and to LargsNaz. 0 current board membffs are and we are t¢fill for their service and their rthfillllesS to the church. God has more in store for Lar8sNaz in 2025 th&n we a8k or itnagine, and wc your pastors are so excited and ble&8ed to be trdvejing along with you all. We are confident thot God will conlinue to make a way-and that 2025 will be for each and every one of us. our most rn¢anin8ful y¢ar yct. Sincerely.
02 February 2025 Hospitallty Ministy Report It has been an exciting and busy year for the Hospitslity Ministry Team! Thank you to everyone who has prayed for, supported (with time, effort and/or finances), baked cooked, cleaned, and attended the amazing opportunities for the iargsNaz family to show the love of Jesus to our community. In response to the energy crisis, In November 2022 we began a weekly gathering on Thursdays from noon until 6pm Oater changed to 3-6pm) called Common Ground that provided a warni space, hot soup, homemade rolls, tea and coffee. After that very first evenL we felt that we needed to be more Intentlonal about providing support for families and sthool aged children, so we began offering a full dinner buffet served from 4:30-5:30pm with a suggested donation of £2 for adults whlle klds eat free. The response was and Continues to be tremendous! On most Thursdays between 25-35 kids and adults are comlng for dinner rlght here in our sanctuary and it has become such a beautiful place for people of all ages to eat together. In 2024. we hosted twenty-four Common Ground communlty meals! In addition to the generous donatlons of our LargsNaz famlly, we contlnue to recelve additional funding from folks in the community, from those who attend Common Ground, and the Largs Communlty Council Access to Food group to help support this mlnlstry. Back In 2023 we became the foodshare partner with our local Coop which means that every evening at 8..30pm we pick up any healthy 'orange stickerf food and either preserve it to be used In our community meals, distribute to our local foodbank and food hub or stock our hospitality fridge so that others can share in the abundance. This programme has contlnued through 2024 and is such an incredlble way to save healthy food that mlght otherwise end up in the landfill. We are so grateful to our friends at the Coop for the opportunity to partlcipate in such a worthy programme. Thanks to a generous gifL paired wlth the Coop foodshare partnershlp abundance, thi5 year we were able to provide hundreds of nourishing weeldy takeaway meals to our local foodbank and monthly meals to the Brisbane Evangelical Bus Ministy. In the Sprlng we received our freeze dryer and it continues to be an amazing asset by preserving individual ingredients received through the various programmes we are part of - for example, carrots, leeks, potatoes and so on that we can then use for preparing meals. In addition to this type of preservatlon, the freeze dryer allows us to Preserve full meals that are completely shelf stable for years and need only hot water to be transforn]ed into warni, nutritious meals. We look forward with
expertation knowing God will lead us into new ways to show the love of Christ to our brothers and sisters in need. In addition to our weekly ministries, we hosted seven 12rgs Community Council organizing meetings, several Iar8s District Churches Together meetings and we've participated in numerous ecumenical services and acts of worship throughout the year and asslsted with several iargs Foodbank and Larder fundraising events including a succe55ful Coffee Morning held at Dunn Memorial Hall In June. In September, I were blessed to serve yet again as caterers for the joint North and South Dlstrlcys Ministry Exploratlon Centre (MEC), held annually at the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester. During the three-day evenL we provlded nutrftlous meals and snacks for both participants and facllltators. We are grateful for opportunities like MEC that allow us to not only give back to our distrirt but to also share Chrisvs love to those who feel called to serve In mlnisty. Durfjng Advenk our hoSpItlry *am c(K)rdSnated two carol slnglng events for the resldents at Hutton Park. Our 2024 Chrisknas Day Community Mcal was wonderfully attended by 80 people this year. Agaln, the leadership of St lohns generously donated the use of Dunn Memorial Hall. The Boys Brigade, along with a number of volunteers from LargsNaz and our local communlty helped with setup and decoratlon. Beaudfully wrapped glfts for the chlldren attendlng were supplled by Wllliam Hlll. This year, each person attending recelved a box of Boxing Day treats, hand-assembled by a team of volunteers. whlch Included a selertlon of tea sandwithes. coleslaw. mince pies, pastries, chocolates, and cakes. The incredible volunteers who helped tnake the day special were from all around the community and from each of the churches in targs. It was an absolutely brllliant day and we are so thankful to those who helped make it happen through your prayers, your giving and your particlpatlon. In addition to donatlons frorn those attendlng the meal, we recelved glfts and fundlng from local Individuals, the Largs CornTnunity Council, the North Ayrshtre Councll, Largs Coop• the Largs FoodbanK the stskj's Foundation. and the Soctety of Saintvincent de Paul. In addldon to the mlnlsrrles and events mentloned in this report the targsNaz Hospitslity Ministry committee is also responsible for setting deaning up and providing delicious food for our Sunday mornlng services. l arn endlessly thankful for those who help rnake Sunday morning and each one of the LargsNaz ministries a reality. It is a blessing to work alongside all of you.
Thank you for to everyone who has supported the Hospilality Ministry over the years- those who have prayed. cooked. baked packaged, cleaned, donated. and delivered. Because of your faithInesS and with God's guidance and blessings. we continue to have the privilege and opportunity to share the love of Chrlst through radical hospltaliry with our neighbours In largs and surrounding areas. Thanks be tr> God! As we look forward to 2025, we believe that God is going to show us how to serve the community in ways we've never seen before. So please continue to pray for God's leading as the LargsNaz Hospitality ministry reaches out to our neighbours In creatlve ways to share the love of Chrlst, and helps to create a welcoming safe space and fellowship at the L£)rd's tsble. We are so very excited to see what God has in store for this next year and beyond. Respertfully submitted,
LARGS NAZARENE - Financial Statement OCT '23 - SEP '24 INCOME EXPENSE Pastors rent Pastors sal(ry Pension ¢Jdjustment NEST Payroll Fee WiFi 6600. 22290.co 490. TOTAL FLIIQ) BIF 34085.36 700.40 580.80 382.16 1825.41 3106.31 339.62 11097.23 714.39 2910.56 3840.00 35.00 333.72 81.79 529.68 181.62 8816.88 200.00 248.24 526. 72 120.00 56.94 General Glvl HMRC GiftAid Othar Interest Hospitality GivirvJ Special Giving HosltalitY Gift8 BIND WiFi LCC Midland Valley 8uild material refund 30944.33 9743.66 564.74 116.42 2704.73 619.64 14272.97 3240.00 330.48 1474.00 13472.21 431.42 ElecrFcity 8ins Hospitdity Irnsurae 8IND Nmt BIND ICO data protect cc CHU88 Pastors Assembty exwtse DS Special project + Gift MidlaFKI Valley Brlsbone Evoryelical James Gray - Electrician thurch Off ic¢ Junk 6enie - site clearance Miscell(meous IncL 1913WOI TAL Tf914.60 65094.96 18888.75 17299.83 4655.33 rs 10116.42 46305. 111999.96 111999.96