22 Jan 2026, 14:44Catherine Anthony Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director
For Such A Time As This - Reflect. Reimagine. Reset.
Report of the BUC Executive Committee End-of-Term Review Weekend
“I believe you are invested in the BUC’s future. Despite current challenges, you have a passion for God in the British Union Conference. Look at what we have been doing as church, charity, and corporation.” These words from BUC President Pastor Eglan Brooks opened the British Union Conference Executive Committee (ExCom) end-of-term review. “I invite you to reflect, reimagine, and reset the work done in this Union,” he urged.
“You were called for such a time as this.” These spiritual sentiments set the tone as members of the BUC Executive Committee gathered from 16-18 January at Denham Grove Hotel, near Maple Cross, Hertfordshire.
The weekend aimed to reflect on the ExCom’s past five years, assess the current state of the Union, reimagine future possibilities, and chart a course forward.
Spiritual Focus
“As leaders of God’s church, our decisions should not be self-serving, but always aligned with His purpose,” said Dr Nicardo Delahaye, Executive Secretary of the Northeastern Conference (Atlantic Union) and keynote speaker. Drawing lessons from Lot’s gradual compromise in Genesis, Dr Delahaye warned against becoming desensitised to God’s will. “Lot first pitched his tent toward Sodom and ended up one of its leaders,” he cautioned. “Be alert to God’s will, not the lure of Sodom.”
Prayer was a core feature of the weekend, led by ExCom members who sought God’s guidance for unity and collaboration. Worship wasn’t limited to session openings and closings – it was meaningfully woven into the programme.
Elisabeth Sanguesa, General Manager of the Stanborough Press, added further spiritual depth through an interactive Bible study based on the Sabbath School lesson. She concluded with the question: How can the lessons learned apply to our role as ExCom members?
The Role of the Trustee
Today’s charity trustees face increasing responsibilities. As trustees of the BUC, ExCom members received a timely reminder of their legal and ethical duties during a session led by Daniel Jennings, a commercial litigator at Shakespeare Martineau.
His whistle-stop tour covered key areas such as effective decision-making, risk management, safeguarding, governance, and the importance of documentation – all within the context of Christian and faith-based charities.
Review and Reset
Several sessions focused on the ExCom’s call to reset for the future. Dr Delahaye showcased the Northeastern Conference’s ministry strategies and offered insights for consideration.
Other highlights included:
· Dream Awake: From Aspirations to Action – Catherine Anthony Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director, explored the need for organisational accountability.
· Examining Our Fixes – Abigail Wright-Stephenson, BUC Project Manager, led an interactive case-study session, challenging assumptions and approaches.
· Safeguarding: Protecting the Vulnerable – A Sacred Trust – Alex Maglorie, BUC Non-Executive Director for Safeguarding, addressed trustees’ critical role in safeguarding.
BUC Administration
The weekend concluded with updates from BUC administrators.
· Pastor Jacques Venter, BUC Executive Secretary, presented proposed constitutional changes.
· Wederly Aguiar, BUC Chief Finance Officer, shared insights into the budget and mission strategy ahead of the upcoming Session in July.
· Pastor Eglan Brooks closed the programme with Forward Ever, a call to embrace the BUC’s role as church, charity, and corporation.
“The weekend was informative, thought-provoking – and a little scary,” shared one attendee. “It made me reaffirm my commitment to serve the Lord faithfully in my role as trustee.”
“I believe you are invested in the BUC’s future. Despite current challenges, you have a passion for God in the British Union Conference. Look at what we have been doing as church, charity, and corporation.” These words from BUC President Pastor Eglan Brooks opened the British Union Conference Executive Committee (ExCom) end-of-term review. “I invite you to reflect, reimagine, and reset the work done in this Union,” he urged.
“You were called for such a time as this.” These spiritual sentiments set the tone as members of the BUC Executive Committee gathered from 16-18 January at Denham Grove Hotel, near Maple Cross, Hertfordshire.
The weekend aimed to reflect on the ExCom’s past five years, assess the current state of the Union, reimagine future possibilities, and chart a course forward.
Spiritual Focus
“As leaders of God’s church, our decisions should not be self-serving, but always aligned with His purpose,” said Dr Nicardo Delahaye, Executive Secretary of the Northeastern Conference (Atlantic Union) and keynote speaker. Drawing lessons from Lot’s gradual compromise in Genesis, Dr Delahaye warned against becoming desensitised to God’s will. “Lot first pitched his tent toward Sodom and ended up one of its leaders,” he cautioned. “Be alert to God’s will, not the lure of Sodom.”
Prayer was a core feature of the weekend, led by ExCom members who sought God’s guidance for unity and collaboration. Worship wasn’t limited to session openings and closings – it was meaningfully woven into the programme.
Elisabeth Sanguesa, General Manager of the Stanborough Press, added further spiritual depth through an interactive Bible study based on the Sabbath School lesson. She concluded with the question: How can the lessons learned apply to our role as ExCom members?
The Role of the Trustee
Today’s charity trustees face increasing responsibilities. As trustees of the BUC, ExCom members received a timely reminder of their legal and ethical duties during a session led by Daniel Jennings, a commercial litigator at Shakespeare Martineau.
His whistle-stop tour covered key areas such as effective decision-making, risk management, safeguarding, governance, and the importance of documentation – all within the context of Christian and faith-based charities.
Review and Reset
Several sessions focused on the ExCom’s call to reset for the future. Dr Delahaye showcased the Northeastern Conference’s ministry strategies and offered insights for consideration.
Other highlights included:
· Dream Awake: From Aspirations to Action – Catherine Anthony Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director, explored the need for organisational accountability.
· Examining Our Fixes – Abigail Wright-Stephenson, BUC Project Manager, led an interactive case-study session, challenging assumptions and approaches.
· Safeguarding: Protecting the Vulnerable – A Sacred Trust – Alex Maglorie, BUC Non-Executive Director for Safeguarding, addressed trustees’ critical role in safeguarding.
BUC Administration
The weekend concluded with updates from BUC administrators.
· Pastor Jacques Venter, BUC Executive Secretary, presented proposed constitutional changes.
· Wederly Aguiar, BUC Chief Finance Officer, shared insights into the budget and mission strategy ahead of the upcoming Session in July.
· Pastor Eglan Brooks closed the programme with Forward Ever, a call to embrace the BUC’s role as church, charity, and corporation.
“The weekend was informative, thought-provoking – and a little scary,” shared one attendee. “It made me reaffirm my commitment to serve the Lord faithfully in my role as trustee.”
