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 [Vorth￿n 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 charIt￿S trustees (At least one trustee to sl8n)
i/li&fi
Date
P fvk3
Full name
Page 10 of 10