The Charlty Trustees, Annual Report for Northern lielond Re ort Details rl Comber Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church [CNSPCJ 15 Windmill Hill, Comber, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 5WH NIC100413 01 January 2022 31 December 2022 red Charl Number: Re ortln Perlod Startl Reportln8 Perlod Endlng: Strurture Governance Trustees: Administratlon Details P sltlon Name Date If not for full ear Int Trustee Mr. S. H. Sgmple Mr. W. A. Carson The Non-subscriblng Presbyterlan Church of Ireland Trustee Company Congregation Congregatlon Congregatlon Trustee Trustee (Company) Minlster Sesslon Clerk Synod Re re5entatlve Presb ery Representatlve Hon. Secretary Hon. Asslstant Secreta Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Sunda School Su erlntendent Free-wlll Offerlng Administratorls) Bulldlng Fund Admlnlstrator Child Protectlon Designated Personls) Rev. l. Gllpln, 8.A. B.D. Mrs. A. Anderson Mrs. A. Anderson Mrs. A. Anderson Mrs. J. Newell Mr. W. A. Carson Mr. G. Campbell Mr. N. Walker Mrs. E. Marshall Mr. G. Grace Mr. R. Grace Mr. R. Brown Mrs. J. Dempster (Designated) Mrs. S.E. Newell {Deputv) Rev. l. Gilpin Mrs. A. Anderson Mrs. J. Newell Mrs. J. Newell Mr. H. Russell Presbytery Sesslon Congregatlon Congregatlon Congregatlon atlon Congregatlon Con6re8atlon Session Congregation To 12 Nov {DOD) Con8regatlon Congregation Organist Cleaner Honorary Health / Flre Safety Officer Committee Committee Congregation Page l of 10
.,Charlty Trustees, Annual Report for Northern Irelond Dat s of Office If not for full ear olnted Session & Committee Committee Commlttee Session & Committee Committee Session & Commlttee Commlttee Committee Session & Commlttee Commlttee Committee Commlttee Session & Commlttee Commlttee Sesslon & Commlttee Committee Sesslon & Commlttee Commlttee Session & Commlttee Sesslon & Committee Commlttee Session & Commlttee Sesslon & Committee Session & Committee Sesslon & Commlttee Sesslon & Committee Session & Committee Commlttee Commlttee Committee Mrs. A. Anderson Mr. R. Brown Mrs. M. Burnside Mrs. N. Burrows Mr. G. Campbell Mr. W. A. Carson Mr. A. Charles Mrs. J. Dempster Mr. R. Ferguson Mrs. N, Gillespie Mr. G. Grace Mr. R. Grace Mrs. A. Halllday Mlss. L. Low Mr. R. McDowell Mr. A. McKenzle Mrs. E. Marshall Mr. H. Mlller Mrs. J. Mlskelly Mr. J. Montgomery Mrs. S. Mulholland Mr5. J. Newell Mrs. S. E. Newell Mr. l. Parsons Mr. R. A. Roblnson Mr. S. H. Semple Mr5. G. A. Spratt Mr. N. Walker Mrs. M. Wallace Mr. P. Whyte Congregation Retlred Aprll 2022 12 Nov (DOD) Retlred June 2022 14 Dec (DOD) Retired Aprll 2022 th 6 Oct (DOD) Retlred Aprll 2022 Sub Commlttee Members: Finance & Internal Auditors Mr. G. Campbell Mr. R. Grace Mr. G. Grace Mr. N. Walker Mr. R. Brown Congregatlon 12 Nov {DOD) e of Governin Document: Constltutlon Trustee Selectlon Method: Congregation (at A.G.M or E.G.M) nal Examiner: Mr. D. Bennett Page 2 of 10
The Charlty Trustees, Annual Report for [Vorthn Ifelond Aim and oses The CNSPC, in co-operatlon through the directly employed incumbent (the Reverend lan Gilpin), provlde our aims and purposes in promoting the inalienable right of every Christian to search the record5 of Dlvine Truth (The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) for their own Instruction and guldance, to form thelr own oplnlons with regard to what they teach, and to worship God in sincerity, agreeably to the dictates of their own consclence, without privatlon, penalty, or inconvenlence inflicted by thelr fellow-men. ur The CNSPC Is a150 speclflcally responslble for the provlslon and malntenance of the Church complex at Wlndmlll Hill, Comber, where persons can feel welcome and safe for the purposes of worshlp, ceremony, or community actlvltles. Ob ectives and Artivities Although Covld restrictlons had put constraint5 on our normal practlces, our objectlves and actlvltles remalned the same where posslble. The CNSPC Is commltted to enabllng as many people as posslble to worshlp at our meetlng house (Church) and to become part of our communlty In Comber and the surroundlng area. The CNSPC malntalns an overview of worshlp throughout the local area and makes SU8gestlons on how our servlces can Involve the many groups that Ilve withln our local area. Our servlces and worshlp put falth Into practice through prayer and scrlpture, muslc and sacram•nt. When planning our artlvltles for the year, the Incumbent, the CNSPC Commlttee and the CNSPC Trustees have consldered the Charlty Cornmission's guldance on publlc beneflt and the speclflc 8uldance on charltles for the advancement of religlon. In partlcular, we try to enable all persons to Ilve out thelr selected falth as part of our local area communlty by: l. Providlng weekly rellglous meetlngs and a chlldren's Sunday school where teachlngs and guldance are provided through the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. 2. Providing flnancial support through freewlll offerin8s and collectlons for a number of charities. 3. Providlng meaning to Ilfe & splrltual well-belngi development of splrltuallty as well as provldln8 a moral and ethlcal framework to Ilve by. Thls provides comfort, solace and a sense of purpose and also beneflts the wlder soclety. Increaslng con8re8atlon numbers as well as long founded member numbers help support our services to the soclety. 4. Providin8 a means, through religlous teachings and support, where person5 can flnd purpose In Ilfe and increase mental and physlcal health which asslsts In recovery from Illness. 5. Provlding a meeting house (Church) where persons can feel welcome and safe for the purposes of worship or ceremony. Sacred spaces are also provided for burlal and memorlal purposes. 6. Provldlng a Church Hall for the purposes of Indlvlduals, groups, and entertainment events. 7. Provldlng support through a dedicated Minlster, frlends, and splritual teachlngs to ald the resolve of 8rief and find further meaning to life. 8. Providing services for rltuals and ceremonies such as Baptism and Marriage. 9. Providing financial as well as education opportunities for Students and Minlsters. Financial support through an Auxiliary Fund and the provision of a meeting house and associated bulldings for the Page 3 of 10
The Charit Trustees, Annual Report f Northern lielan¢a furtherance of the Students or Ministers education. This includes the Invltatlon of other religious charlties to conduct services within the meeting house. Achievements and Performance Owln8 to the spiritual nature of the church's objectives it is sometlmes dlfflcult to quantify achievements. however we have In the past year undertaken the followln8 actlvlties: KIRK SESSIO REPORT- 2022 In 2022 the Church contlnued to operate wlthin Covld19 8uldellnes, soclal distanclng, track and trace and the one-way system. Following Government announcements throu8hout the year we were able to gradually Ilft the restrlctlons In place over the last couple of years. Attendance at Church Servlces had decllned and contlnues to do so however we antlclpate an Increase once our servlces return to normal. Vlsltlng Clergv Our thank5 to Rev Gllpln for arranglng cover durlng 2 weeks of absence and to the vlsltlng Mlnlsters for theor contlnued support. Rev. Lena Cockcroft and Rev Dr Linda 8allard. Churth Buslness Wlth Soclal Distanclng and track and trace stlll in operatlon the Klrk Sesslon only met on two occaslons durlng 2022, In March and September. It Is Important for us to contlnue wlth Church Buslness and our duty as Elders for the benaflt of the con8re8atlon. Sunday School Followlng the retirement of Mrs Beth Marshall, Mrs Emma Lynch agreed to and took on the role of Sunday School Superlntendent wlth Mrs Nadlne Dorlan as Sunday School Asslstant. Several of the older Youn8 People also provlde asslstance. The Sunday School re-opened after Easter wlth a marked Increase of chlldren (36) on the roll. Blrths and Marrlages The Moderator officlated at 8 Sacrament of Baptlsm's and offlciated at 5 marrlages. As a congregatlon, we extend God's blesslng on all new members of our congregatlon and our best wlshes to the young coupl•s In thelr future life together. Page 4 of 10
The Charlt Trustees, Annual Report for Northein Ireland Deaths Durlng the year, the Moderator officiated at 2 funerals In connectlon with our Moira and Ballyhemlln congregatlons. He was also asked by another 11 famllles to officiate at the funeral of thelr loved ones. In Comber, It was the very sad duty of our Moderator to offlclate at the funerals of 18 members of our congregatlon. We remember them all with fondness and love: Mrs Myra Francls Galbraith (nee Brooster) Mr Evan Craig Mr James Straln Mrs Ralda Agnes Rudewicz {nee Long) Mrs Meta Ann Finlay (nee Draln) Mrs Heather Boyd (n•• Andrews) Ms Mary (May) Watson Mr Paul Prlce Mr Robert John {Roy) Watson Mr Walter Coey Mr lan Frederlck Parsons Mrs Ollve Stevenson (nee Corbett Mrs Mar8aret Robinson {nee Curragh) Mrs Suzanne McDowell (nee Mccormlck) Mr George McAuley Grace Mr David Walker Mr Charles Black Mr Robert (Roy) McDowell As mentioned earller, the Church has slowly come through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemlc and our servlces are almost back to normal. No track and trace, hymn singlng wlth face ma5k5, the congregation being shown to thelr seatlng and no Sunday School. It has been a lon8 and dlfficult journey efferting everyone's health and well-belng In many ways. Worrying about our loved ones, the effect on our congregatlon and Church Ilfe as we move forward and re-build our Church family. It will not be an easy task, however each day we grow in confldence on returning to everyday Ilfe, Sunday worship and the opening our Church building. Wlth Gods guidance and love in our hearts nothing is Impossible. Our Church In Comber Is renowned for Its frlendly atmosphere and many see It as an extenslon of our famllles. May we continue ourjourney together in faith and love. On behalf of the Kirk Session and Committee we extend our thanks to our Minister Rev lan Gllpin and family, wishlng them Gods blessings and contlnued 8ood health. Clerk of Sesslon - Mrs Audrey Anderson Page 5 of 10
The Charlty Trustees, Annual Report lor Northern Irelond mml Our Committee met on 6 occasions through the 2022 year with a fair attendance. June's meetln8 was not quorate 50 toplcs were deferred to the next meeting. It was encoura8ln8 to see the Sunday School up and runnlng once more with over 25 on the roll. The Christmas Childrens, service was more that enjoyable wlth the chlldren taking an active role In creating the Natlvlty story on stage In the hall wlth support from parents. A8aln Kelra Gleave dellghtod us wlth her renditlon of Away In a Manger. Many thank5 to Emma Lynch and Nadlne Dorrlan who created the play for the chlldren. Also a blg thanks to Keith Burnside for organlslng the sound system and to all the other helpers/husbands, etc. who made the servlce so enjoyable. We also had an Adult's Candlellt Carol Servlce the followln8 week wlth some members of the congregatlon helplng out wlth sln8lng and readln8s. A lovely atmospherlc servlce. The 'outslde' groups who once used our Hall for thelr actlvltles have been Invlted back and we are 8lad to say that these groups are once agaln brin8ln8 muslcal nights to the Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday nlghts. Family Sunday was held In September wlth varlous contrlbutlons from our muslcal talents In the Sunday School and trust that they wlll contlnue to grow In confldence as they move up the grades. We held our Harvest Servlce In October wlth Comber Sllver Band supportln8 the servlce wlth thelr muslcal talents, followed by118ht refreshments in the Hall provlded by the Ladles Guild. We also held our Annual General Meetlng In May reportln8 on the past three years 2019, 2020 and 2022 as Covld put a real spanner In the works with regard to regularity of meetlngs. Contlnulng malntenance of church and grounds is belng carrled out around the Manse, Hall and grounds, Mr. Len Ball is In hls retlrement years and Is sadly no longer to carry on hls dedlcated work In clearlng gutters, down spouts etc. Mrs. Dempster has a contart to carry on thls work, especlally the r005ting plgeons over the Church front door which is creatlng an unsightly mess. The area has been pressure washed and cleaned wlth splkes put up on the plllars to deter thelr roostlng habits so hopefully they wlll move to other lodgings. The Shoe Box appeal was well supported by the congregation and our thanks go to Kim who took them to Blytheswood In Lisburn to dlstrlbute to the various charltles. Crossnacreevy Nurseries continue to maintain the grounds around the graveyard and Garden of Remembrance with our Minister cuttlng the grass in the manse garden and lawn at the front, Mrs. Jennlfer Newell strimmlng the edge of the manse garden and around the paths and drlveway. The Annual Reports are stlll in the plpellne and wlll probably culminate in a comblned edltlon of the past three years. Page 6 of 10
The Charlt Trustees, Annual Report for Northern lieland We are In the process of creating a Social Media presence for our church whlch wlll hopefully keep others appralsed of the activity of our Church and we are currently going through the process of discussing the correct protocol re8ardln8 Data Protection, Safe8uardin8 Vulnerable adults etc., in order that we deal with this new activity In the proper manner. Discusslon also took place on the requlrement of additional Trustees whlch will take some tlme to sort out. We would also Ilke to express our grateful thanks to all those involved behlnd the scenes who wlsh to remaln anonymous but are the silent workers who give of thelr tlme In keepin8 the Church and grounds In beautiful state. Our contlnued guidance and dedicatlon from our Mlnlster and famlly remalns unstintln8 and we are most fortunate to have them as our leaders and our frlends to the congregation. Hon Secretary - Jennlfer Newell Sunda School 2019 has been another successful and enjoyable year for our Sunday School. The denomlnatlonal Sunday School games were held in March and thls was greatly enjoyed by the chlldren. The children partlclpated In our Motherlng Sunday Servlce. Durlng the servlce, the chlldren presented flowers to each woman In the Con8re8ation. The Chlldren's end of term servlce was held on 16th June when the chlldren excelled themselves once a8aln through their readlngs and songs. Thls service coincided wlth Fatherfs Day. Both fathers and chlldren partlclpated in the servlce, during whlch we were thankful to Mr. JIM Mlskelly for presentln8 the prlzes for attendance. At the concluslon of the servlce, a button-hole flower was 8lven by the children to all of the men present. Following our summer break, Sunday School resumed on 8th September. Our Sunday School teachers, along wlth the chlldren, made a slgnlficant contrlbution to our Famlly servlce In October. Our annual Children's Christmas Servlce was held during the festive season, during which the children, young people, teachers, Sunday School treasurer and music teacher read the lessons and the children sang number of Items. Some of the children also dlsplayed their talent by playln8 musical instruments. The church was very tastefully decorated and the servlce was well attended and greatly enjoyed by everyone present. The Superintendent, explaining the true meaning of Christmas, based a short talk on the theme of Jesus belng the centre of the Christmas celebrations. The prayers and address for the young-at-heart was glven by the minister. As usual, the children and adults brought along gifts for our charlties to share with children less fortunate. Page 7 of 10
The Charlty Trustees, Annual Report for Northern Ireland We would Ilke to thank the parents for sending thelr chlldren to Sunday School, and for thelr help and support throughout the year. We are also Indebted to the teachers for thelr unfailing and devoted work, and to our organist Mrs. Jennifer Newell. We owe a graat deal of gratltude to our minlster, Rev. Gllpin, for hls contlnued support. Sunday Sthool Superlntendent - Beth Marshal Church Fonan es Note: See Iso se arate accounts breakdown A customary 'thankyou' to all members & visltors for thelr contlnued trust• generoslty & support throughout the year. It was another tough year for us flnanclally with our protected trees eatln8 up over £10,000 for thelr 6 yearly maintenance. Although our expendlture exceeded income, the 'gap' was artlflclally Increased by not ¢lalmln8 our Glft Aid for the year. Thls wlll be claimed In 2023. Income & Expendlture: Our income for the year totalled £59,094, with expendlture at £70,288 Our maln sources of fundln8 are from dlrect glvlng by members wlth over 70% of our Income derived from Freewill Offerlngs, Property Maintenance Contributlons, Stlpends and Sunday Collertlons- all demonstratlng the contlnued generosity of our Church members. Our Investments performed reasonably well agaln wlth dlvldend Income of £8,512 (approx. S% return). Our total investment value, whlch had recovered from 2021Ys drop, dropped agaln from £161,580 to £152,691. The Influence Covld and Wars around the world have had, and wlll have, Ilkely contlnued Influence on our investment5 8olng forward. Out congregation numbers are now 7% less than In 2019, wlth donatlons belng IO% lower. Fuel costs have, surprlslngly, not Increased but this In tum Is a reflection of less property usage. As mentloned, Glft Ald has not been clalmed for 2021 or 2022. These wlll be clalmed in 2023 at around £10,000 which hlghllghts the immense value we can galn at no extra cost to our congregatlon. By slmply re8iSterin8 wlth us for Gift Aid, your donatlons automatically grow by 25% (as long as you are stlll paying income tax} Page 8 of 10
The Charlty Trustees, Annual Report for Northern lieland Donatlons fell from not having the full use of the hall to clubs. Donatlons totalled around £4,8CM) and I would Ilke to make speclal note of the followin8 donations recelved throu8hout the year: £I,100- Use of hall by Pianlst £IOOO- P Johnston £500- Famlly of Anne Ferguson The generous support we recelve from clubs and individuals greatly helps us In maintalnlng the Church and Hall for the local community. Our maln Item of expendlture thls year was for property repalrs (Includlng our trees and lands) and accounted of our 39% of our annual expendlture wlth second notable expenditure belng our Mlnlstry whlch accounted for 49%. Fund Ralsln8 & Charlty Donatlons Our Chrlstmas Craft Fair finally returned for 2022 and ralsed a wonderful £1,680. There was no annual BBQ thls year. We have always been known as a generous con8re8atlon & that generoslty contlnued wlth £2,745 goin8 to iood causes as we contlnued to support local, natlonal and denomlnatlonal charltles. Le8ades There was no Legacy Donatlon rnade In 2022, although It Is noted that prevlous Invested legacles from 2019 are stlll to be relnvested. Close The 2022 accounts reflect the Increased costs whlch remaln from outslde Influences. he 2019 accounts reflect well on the stabillty of our Churches finances, even In tlme of uncertalnty. Our Investments contlnue to dellver well and your contrlbutlons remaln steadyi which makes It easler to meet the flnanclal demands placed upon u5 and helps us plan wlth more certalnly when fundlng future projects to keep the church propertles & grounds in the fabulous state they are currently in. None of thls could be delivered wlthout your contlnued support. The Con8re8ation's generoslty continues to amaze me each year, especially In comparlson to other larger congregatlons. l flnlsh by thanking everyone, on behalf of the Flnance Commlttea, for the 8enerosityfft trust & support in us and hopefully we have repaid that by the healthy posltlon the church finances remaln In. Hon. Treasurer- Graham Campbell Page 9 of 10
Charity The Trustees, Annual Report lor Northein lieland Reserves Poli Our reserves policy has been agreed for the retention of at least I yearfs average expenditure (£70k rounded to the nearest £IOk) within our bank accounts. Thls Is to be held in our Santander Deposit Account, when possible, taklng account of our current outgoings. Any yearly surplus is expected to be spllt between charity donations and re-investments. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charItS trustees (At least one trustee to sl8n) i/li&fi Date P fvk3 Full name Page 10 of 10