By Hayley Beckett on 10th May 2023
Report from EBA Council 01/04/2023
We have been asked if it is possible to circulate the minutes of the EBA council and following discussion of this, it was agreed that we would release a short report with some of the key decisions and information from each meeting. You can find out more information about the council on the EBA Website.
The EBA Moderator, Rev Fiona Heddle opened the meeting by reading Luke 18:31-34 and Luke 19:32-40 and reminding us that as we enter a period without a Regional Minister Team Leader, we will need to have courage in Christ and trust on Him.
Council discussed an application for membership and made the decision to welcome this new church. Church@TheMegacentre in Rayleigh will be formally welcomed at the AGM later this year.
Council heard reports from the recent BU Council, which included the report of the BU finance review and Ministerial Rules consultation. There is much to pray about, and to look to God for guidance as we move forward into the future. The full BU council report can be found here https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/659923/Baptist_Union_Council.aspx
The EBA Treasurer, Mr Richard Lewis, updated the Council on the finances of the EBA and the different types of funds we have at our disposal. Richard will be bringing some financial proposals to the next meeting of Council in May.
In 2022, EBA council commissioned a report on Home Mission Grant resilience as we have seen a reduction in the amount of funds we have to distribute as grants and an increase in need. A group has been formed to look at the report in detail and bring some proposals back to council later in 2023.
Following Beth’s retirement at the end of April, Fiona presented a plan for the interim period until we are able to appoint a new Team Leader – Within Area 1 some local ministers both active and retired have been approached to help support the regional team if situations arise that need extra support. Also, Fiona and EBA Secretary would help fill the gap in appropriate ways. Council appreciated the willingness of the local ministers and others to help in this way. Beth would write to churches before she left informing them of the plans in place and encourage them if needed to make contact with the regional team early on if there were any issues rather than when they escalated.
Trustees proposed and agreed that the EBA Registered address will change from 46 Churchill Road, Thetford to 2 Buchanan Gardens, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9QB and asked EBA secretary to make the necessary formal changes with the Charity Commission and Companies House and any places that the registered address is shown.
The Council received reports from the CYF Forum, EBA Safeguarding Lead and Together Free.
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