FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NON-SUBSCRIBING BANBRIDGE ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Charity Ivo. NIC 100336
ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 Minister: Rev Brian Moodie Session: Mr S Agnew (Clerk) Mr IU Russell; Mr D Stevenson Mr R Mcclean; Mrs C McAlister Mrs K Bushby Hon Secretary: Mrs C McAlister Hon Treasurer: Mrs E Hutton Committee: Mr T Shields; Mrs L Shields; Mrs V Mecullough Mr D Little; Mrs C Brown Stipend Treasurer: Mr IU Russell Sunday Collection: Mrs E Hutton Charity Collection: Mr R Mcclean Magazine Correspondent: Mrs K Bushby Organists: Mr Stephen Thompson; Mrs Julie Black Trustees: Mr IU Russell; Mr T Shields; Mr D Stevenson; Mr R Mcclean Sunday School Superintendent: Mrs C McAlister Child Protection Officer: Mrs D Whan Building Maintenance Officer: Mr D little Church Supervisor: Mr D Little
Flrst Presb erfan Church Banbrfd e Non-subscribin Mlnlster's Re ort for the Year 2022 Dear Friends 2022 was the first year that marked a return to full normality after the Covid-19 pandemic. It continued to be an encouraging year for us in Banbridge. as our numbers remain steady vrfith a high percentage of attendance of our membership on an average Sunday morning and some very encouraging larger services at Easter. Harvest. Remembrance Day, as well as our Advent/Christmas period. It also rnarked another good financial year in which our members once again gave generously through their weekly Free Will Offering contributions, as well as their generous support of the monthly charities. Sunday Worship Hlghllghts The year began in January with the celebration of Rev. Lena Cockcroft's 40th anniversary since her ordination on the 9th January 1982. It was therefore a privilege to have her preaching at Banbridge on this, her anniversary year, also in her capacity as Moderator of the NSPCI. Holy Week was marked with a few online reflections culminating in our Easter Sunday Service on the 171h April at which we were privileged to have a solo from Ruby Bushby. On the Ist May we shared in Communion. although still using the pre- packaged communion cups and wafers. 2022 was a poignant year as we not only remembered and celebrated Queen Elizabeth Il's Platinum Jubilee. but also remembered her in her passing in a service led by Rev. Robert McKee. while I was away on leave, as well as two services when l arrived back in the middle of September. We had a successful Harvest service on the morning of 2nd October and are grateful for all the efforts that were made to decorate the Meeting House so beautifully. On 6th November we returned to our normal Communion Service for the first time since November 2019. This was special for me as minister because it was the first time for me to participate in this old Presbyterian format of Communion with everyone seated at tables at the front of the Meeting House. We had a very successful December period with the Christmas Nativity Puppet Show on the I Ith December, put together by Wendy and rnyself, featuring
Sheeny and Beanie. This was followed on the 18th December with our Carol service, which took place at l Oam. featuring the beautiful singing of Ellen and Sarah Forsythe, as well as the participation by a number of readers. Both of these services were well attended. The year ended with our Christmas Service which took place this year on the last Sunday of the year and which drew a significant number of members. extended family and a few visitors as well. It was wonderful to have Lynda and Tom's grandchildren from Dublin, with Charlotte. Bella and Freddie Shields helping to make the service special with their musical items. Preaching Series and Topics Covered in our Sunday Worship in 2022: Jan/Feb - Exploring the Five Languages of Love {Physical Touch: Giving Gifts; Acts of Service; Affirming Words; Quality fime} June- Return of the Prodigal Son - 7 weeks Jun/July/Oct - Historical Series: The History of Banbridge NSP What is the Westminster Confession and why don't we subscribe to it? Why were we called Unitarians? What does it mean for us to be Presbyterian? How did the NSPCI come into existenceP The History and Significance of the Burning Bush for Presbyterians other Topics: Is this Really how God Acts in the Worldg Wrestling with the fall of Jerusalem 598BC Mother's Day- Granny is Like God {Reflecting on God as 'Mother'). I do not condemn you either - Reflection on John 8.108 Horses. Donkeys, Strength & Vulnerability- Palm Sunday Reflection The Resurrection Mystery- Easter Sunday Resurrection Stuckness Reflection on John 20.19-31 Do you love me? Sharing Bread- Communion Sunday l May Queen Elizabeth11- A Reflection on her Life In Life & In Death - Reflecting on the Faith of Queen Elizabeth11 Harvest - Cain & Abel and the 'First Harvest, {disaster) Becoming a Living Temple of God- Reflecting on Haggai & Zacchaeus The Art of Deep Listening Matt 13:13ff & Proverbs I .1-7 What is True Religion? (James l .26-27) New Light on Communion- a symbol of allegiance to Christ Missing- A Remembrance Sunday Reflection What kind of a King is this? {A reflection on the Sunday of Christ the King) Advent I . Plant a Sapling then Meet the Messiah
Gratitude needs to be expressed to all those who have helped to make our Sunday worship meaningful over the year: For all those who have assisted in providing flowers every Sunday and have given so generously of their time and creativity in decorating the Church for special services. most particularly for Harvest and the Advent/Christmas period. Gratitude also should be expressed to those members, who so faithfully open up and close on a Sunday and prepare the Meeting House for us all before we arrive. as well as to our organists, Julie Black and Stephen Thompson, for blessing us with beautiful music every Sunday. A very big thank you also needs to be expressed to Paul Mccabe, and my father. Tony Moodie for preaching and filling the pulpit in my absence. both of whom gave freely of their time, both in preparation and on a Sunday, not wishing to receive remuneration for their ministry amongst us. From a pastoral perspective. we were privileged to celebrate the Baptism of Poppy Cruikshanks (daughter of Peter and Diane) on the 8th May. While there were no deaths amongst our own members, we remember those of our members who lost family members during the year. Most especially, we remember Anna McGatry in the loss of her husband, Maurie, who would have been a not infrequent visitor with us. Lastly. a very big thank you to everyone who has served in the Committee. both elders and non-elders. attending meetings so faithfully in helping to manage the life of our church with care and wisdom. A very special thank you to Elaine Hutton for so diligently looking after the finances of our church and Carol McAlister for both guiding and recording our meetings as Honorary Clerk. Sincerely Rev. Brian Moodie
Honora Secreta 'sRe ort 2022 2022 saw the Church and life in general get back to some sort of normality again. Although Covid is very much still with us, we are learning to live vrfith it. The wearing of face masks is no longer deemed mandatory. social distancing restrictions have been lifted and serrfices have more or less retumed to normal. We are grateful to the members of the Congregation for their continued support. Attendances have been faidy regular throughout the year with some very good attendances at the special services such as Mothering Sunday. Easter, the Family Service in June. the Harvest. Remembrance Sunday, the Nativity Puppet Show and the Carol Service. The Congregation were deeply saddened to leam of the death in July of Mr Maurice McGary. Although, Maurice was a member of the Church of Ireland. following his marriage to Anna he regularly attended our Church with her and for a number of years laid the vlreath at our Remembrance Day Service. Maurice always enjoyed a chat and made many friends within the Church. Sympathy is also extended to all the members of the congregation who have been bereaved throughout the year. Baptlsm Poppy Emily Cruikshanks, daughter of Peter and Diane and granddaughter of Noel and Sylvia, was baptised on Sunday 8th May. Congratulations to Mrs Edna Agnew on the birth of a granddaughter in December. Thanks are extended to: Rev Moodie for continuing to provide an online sermon for those members of the Congregation unable to attend Church and for maintaining the Church's Internet site: Mrs Karen Bushby for maintaining the Church's Facebook page and for her articles in the denominational magazine and local papers: Mr Stephen Thompson and Mrs Julie Black for playing the organ for us: those members of the Congregation who supplied flowers for the pulpit throughout the year, and Mr John Cunningham, a new member of the Congregation, for his donation of a Bible which is proudly open and on display at the front of the pulpit.
REVIEW OF EVENTS 2022 January We welcomed Mr Paul Mccabe who led our service on Sunday 2r January as Rev Moodie was taking the services at Clough and Ballee. There was a good attendance on Sunday 91h January when our Service was taken by Rev Lena Cockroft. Rev Lena was celebrating the 40th anniversary of her ordination as a Non Subscribing Minister and being the first female to be ordained in the Denomination. Mrs Vera Mccullough and Mrs Colette Brown both led us in prayer during the seprfice. February Congratulations were extended to Peter and Diane Cruikshanks on the birth of their daughter. Poppy. The service on Sunday 27th February was conducted by Mr Sam Agnew. March Mrs Sylvia Cruikshanks took part in the World Day of Prayer which was held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Friday 4th March. As Rev Moodie had Covid. the services on Sunday 6th and 13th March were conducted by Rev Alister Bell and Mr Sam Agnew respectively. There was a good attendance on Mothering Sunday 27th March and it was lovely to see baby Poppy Cruikshanks out with her mum and dad. April There was a good attendance at the service on Easter Sunday 17th April at which Ruby sang the solo 'Death was arrested, Thanks to Elaine Hutton for giving out creme eggs to everyone. May Communion Service was held on Sunday Ist May. again using the prefilled cups. There was a good attendance on Sunday 81h May for the baptism of Poppy Emily Cruikshanks. On Sunday 15th May the Congregation agreed unanimously to move from the Antrim Presbytery back to the Presbytery of Bangor. On Sunday 29th May it was good to have Mr Jock Houston out visiting us again from Scotland. On Sunday afternoon there was a visitation from the Antrim Presbytery. The service was conducted by the Moderator of the Antrim Presbytery, Rev Paul Reid assisted by Rev Dr John Nelson. Rev Colin Campbell and student for the Ministry Mr David Mccord. Thanks are extended to the ladies for providing tea/coffee after the service. June/July There was a very good attendance at the Family Sepiice on Sunday 19th June, when books were given to the young children and the older children each received a Platinum Jubilee Bible. inscribed by Mr Tom Shields, in commemoration of the Queen's 70th Jubilee. During the serrfice, Heidi and Luke Hansen led the prayers.. Noah Hansen, Mia Richardson and Erin
Mccluskey read poems: Matthew Little read the lesson.. and Sarah and Ellen Forsythe sang, 'Here l am. Lord,. The serrfice on Sunday 26th June was conducted by Rev Alister Bell. The service on Sunday 3rd ju was taken by Rev Moodie's father, Tony. August On Sunday 71h August. it was pleasing to have Brenda Francis, a previous Church organist, out with our organist for the day, Philip Beattie. During Rev Moodie's holiday. services on 14th 21 st and 28th.August 2022 were led Mr Tony Moodie. As part of the year's celebration of NSPCI women, Mrs Colette Brown, Mrs Diana Whan and Mrs Karen Bushby represented the Church when they joined other ladies from the Denomination for a walk at the Montalto Estate on Saturday 20th August. September As Rev Moodie was on holiday, the services on 4th and I Ilh September were led by the Moderator Rt Rev Lena Cockroft and the Very Rev Robert McKee respectively. There was a good attendance on Sunday 18th September, when Rev Moodie held a Memorial Seprfice for the Queen, follovrfing her death on 8th September. October The Church, as amiays, was beautifully decorated for our Harvest Service on Sunday 2nd October 2022. Thanks are extended to Mrs Eltzabeth Stevenson, Mrs Sylvia Cruikshanks and Mrs Vera Mccullough for all their hard work. Rev Moodie took the service, during which. Sarah and Ellen Forsythe sang 'Amazing Grace,. A large number of non-perishable food items were donated by the Congregation and these were later delivered by Rev Moodie and his wife, Wendy, to the Storehouse Banbridge Community Foodbank. November On Sunday 6th November. for the first time since the Pandemic, we held our Communion Service in the traditional way sitting around the tables at the front of the Church. Mr Sam Agnew and Mrs Karen Busby assisted Rev Moodie in the serving of the wine and bread. Thanks were extended to Mrs Sylvia Cruikshanks for baking the shortbread. There was a good attendance at the Remembrance Day Serrfice on Sunday131h November, when the wreath at the war memorial was laid by Mrs Sharon Hansen and Binyon's words were read by Mr Alfie Hazley. The Last Post and Reveille were played by Mr Stephen Thompson on the organ. Thanks are extended to Mrs Elizabeth Stevenson for her usual beautiful poppy displays. A Family Service was held on Sunday 20th November. when the lesson was read by Heidi Hansen. December The Church was again beautifully decorated throughout the Christmas period and thanks go to Mrs Sylvia Crvikshanks and her daughter, Karen, for the various displays on the windov*S and throughout the Church. Thanks also go
to David Little for putting up and decorating the Christmas tree and to Mrs Edna Agnew and Sam for providing the Advent vrfreath. On Sunday I Ith December, the Congregation were treated by Rev Moodie and his wife, Wendy, to a Nativity Puppet Show, which was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old present. There was a very good attendance at the Carol Service, which was held on Sunday 18th December. Ellen and Sarah Forsythe sang '0 Holy Night, and the readers were Sarah and Ellen Forsythe, Ruby Bushby, Alison Mccluskey. Colette Brown. John Cunningham and Wendy Moodie. At the end of the service, all the children received a selection box. Thanks to everyone who brought gifts of toiletries for Barnardos. There was also a good attendance on Christmas morning. when it was great to have Mr Martin Shields. his wife Francesca and their seven children join us from Dublin and take part in the service. Charlotte sang '0 Holy Night,. Bella played the guitar and together, with her brother Freddie. sang 'Silent Night,. Carol McAlister
Sunda School Re ort 2022 Unfortunately, Sunday School has not yet resumed. However, it was good to have the children participate in a few services during the year. June There was a very good attendance at the Family Serrfice on Sunday 19th June when books were given to the young children and the older children each received a Platinum Jubilee Bible. inscribed by Mr Tom Shields, in commemoration of the Queen's 701h Jubilee. During the service, Heidi and Luke Hansen led the prayers. Noah Hansen. Mia Richardson and Erin Mccluskey read poems, Matthew Little read the lesson and Sarah and Ellen Forsythe sang 'Here l am, Lord,. November A Family Service was held on Sunday 20th Novemberwhen the lesson was read by Heidi Hansen. December There was a very good attendance at the Carol Service which was held on Sunday18th December. Ellen and Sarah Forsythe sang '0 Holy Night, and the readers included Sarah and Ellen Forsythe and Ruby Bushby. At the end of the service all the children received a selection box. Carol McAlister
Honora Treasurer's Re ort 2022 Our thanks must go to our church members for their generosity throughout 2022. While we have seen a 23% decline in our ordinary collection, our total stipend collection {envelope and regular monthly bank transfers) for the year has increased by 3.33% from last year. Our donations we make to the various charity collections each month amounted to £935 and as a small congregation we should be proud of this. Our chosen charities are always grateful for the donations they receive from us. A number of members are now opting to pay stipends directly into our church bank account and if any other church member needs further details about how to do this, please do not hesitate to contact me. Our church income was again boosted this year by payment of Gift Aid claims made for 2021, which amounted to £3462.72 Thank you to everyone. who has already signed up to the Gift Aid scheme. The scheme allows the church to claim 25 pence for every pound that you have already given to the church, providing that you are a taxpayer. It is a very simple process and forms are available for anyone, who has not yet signed up to Gift Aid and would like to do so. Our main outlays during 2022 were for the usual church insurance, graveyard maintenance and heating oil. I would like to thank the other members of the congregation, who have helped me during the year - Mr Jim Russell for his work as Stipend Treasurer. Mr Bertie Mcclean for collecting the weekly charity donations and Mrs Carol McAlister for her help & advice throughout the year. Thanks also to Mrs Jocelyn Girvan for independently verifying our accounts for 2022.1 om grateful to you all. Once again. many thanks to all the members of our church- your continued support is greatly appreciated. I hope and pray that 2023 will be an even better year for our church and for us all. ANNUAL REVIEW Sff en ollectlon £13.145 Ordlna Collectlon £516 2018 2019 £11.946 £224 2020 £11,225 2021 £7 4.383 £223 2022 £14.862 £170 Elaine Hutton - February 2023 io
STIPEND FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2022 STIPEND £555. GIFf AID 2021 £L50 £150.00 £3(K). £293.75 £77.50 £265. £1,070. £280.Th) £111.25 £600. £150. io £75. 18 £620.00 £166.25 21 £280.IXI £63.75 22 £730. £192.50 £255.LXI £65.00 Z6 £405.IM) £76.25 27 £470.IJ) £155.00 28 30 33 £150.00 £36.25 £530.(MJ £465.IXI £250. £106.25 £52.50 35 £245.IXI £52.50 36 38 £142.50 £25 39 £107.(Kl £320.CrfI £57.50 £142.50 51 £520.LM) £10. 52 93 951105 £550.Tr) £155.00 £836. £21&00 £270.(LI £560. ioi £135.00 106 £112.IM) £28.50 107 £111 £28.50 £52.50 £52.50 119 £170.IXI £170.00 120 121 122 £2Tr).00 £67.50 £520.QI £125.00 132 £105.00 £90.1X) £15.IKI 137 £360. £60.) Interest £10.22 TOTALS £14Aa £3A61n Charity No.NIC100336 Stipend Treasurer: Mr RJ. Russell Auditor: Mrs. J. Girvan li
No. l Account- Year Endin RECEIPTS Balance @ bank Jan 01 Stipend (envelopes} Annual Stipend (via bank) Ordinary Collection Rent-silver Band Wayleave Sustentation Fund Ground Rents Gift Aid 2021 Ministry Expenses No.4 Acc Dividends Commonwealth War Graves 31 December 2022 PAYMENTS £57,794.95 Minister's Salary £12,272.00 including HMRC & Pension £2,590.00 Vints - Payroll Services £170.35 Pulpit Supplies £150.00 Church Cleaning £6.32 Organist & Relief £150.00 Electricity £210.00 Oil £3,462.72 Organ Maintenance £1,000.00 MG Fire Services £2,086.22 5. School Platinum Bibles £15.00 S. School Gifts (selection boxes) Rep Elder Synod Travel/Lunch Benevolent Fund Insurance Annual Postage Expenses N.1. Water/Sewerage Charges Communion Pre-filled Cups Weedkiller Antrim Pres Fees Antrim Pres Student Fund Printing Costs £10,102.79 £402.60 £460.00 £720.00 £1,975.00 £69.85 £1,297.00 £131.90 £96.00 £105.30 £21.00 £30.00 £ioo.00 £2,014.46 £95.35 £162.88 £19.50 £159.00 £40.00 £50.00 £1.28 Charity Collections Southern Area Hospice Alzheimers Kidney Research Children's Hospice Orphan Fund Graveyard B Positive Poppy Appeal £160.00 £180.00 £ioo.00 £iio.00 £80.00 £120.00 £ioo.00 £85.00 £935.00 Denominational Funds Joint Inc & Mod Fund Sunday School Fund Sustentation Fund Rem. Synod Trustee Co. Fund Bodel Mackenzie Ministers. Widows, Fund Orphan Society Porter Fund £50.00 students & Ministers £199.00 £74.00 £430.00 £45.00 £10.00 £10.00 £ioo.00 £ioo.00 £30.00 £50.00 Donatlons Graveyard Donations: D Bryans £1,048.00 Harvest Donatlons: Mr & Mrs Mccarrison Charity Collectlons £50.LXI Southern Area Hospice Alzheimer's Society Nl Kidney Research Nl Children's Hospi B Positive Poppy Appeal £160.00 £180.00 £100.00 £iio.00 £ioo.00 £85.00 £735.00 Balan @ bank Dec 31 £61,105.65 £80,942.56 £80.942.56 Charity No. NIC100336 - Treasurer: MTS. E. Hutton; Independent Examiner: Mrs. J. Girvan
No. 2 Account - Ben Dickson Fund - Year Endin Jan l Balance @ Bank £171.18 31 December 2022 Dec 31 Balance @ Bank £171.18 £171.18 £171.18 No. 3 Account- Renovation Jan l Balance @ Bank Rent Dunbar School Dunbar School - Year Endin 31 December 2022 £46,742.75 Grass cutting at graveyard £800.00 £8,750.04 Plumbing Repairs £50.00 Dec 31 Balance @ Bank £54.642.79 £55,492.79 £55,492.79 No. 4 Account- Manse - Year Endin 31 December 2022 Jan l Balance @ Bank £40,598.88 Ministry Expenses Dividends £3,531.68 Interest £8.72 £44,139.28 £1,000.00 Dec 31 Balance @ Bank £43,139.28 £44,139.28 Dunbar Fund- Year Endin 31 December 2022 £1,891.74 Bank fees £1.91 £93.66 £1,987.31 Jan l Balance @ Bank Interest Dividends £30.10 Dec 31 Balance @ Bank £1,957.21 £1,987.31 Charity No.NIC100336 Treasurer: Independent Examiner: Mrs. E. Hutton Mrs J. Girvan 13
FIRST PRESBYfERIAN (NON SUBSCRIBING) CHURCH BANBRIDGE Annual General Meeting - Thursday 9 March 2023 at 7.30 p.m. AGENDA Welcome & Opening Prayer Apologies Correspondence Minutes of last AGM - March 2022 Matters Arising Report of Hon. Seeretary Report of Hon. Treasurer Sunday School Report Election of Offieers Election of Presbytery & Synod Representative Any other business