Ball nahinch Con re ational Church 2023 Re ort
Minister
Rev Victor Neill
Church Diaconate
Harry Bowles Trevor Crothers Sammy Graham Richard Payne George McCoubrey Jimmy McClenaghan
Interim Church Committee
Wilson Hamilton Isobel Hamilton, Trevor Crothers (Chairman) Barbara Neill, Rev Victor Neill, George McCoubrey Jimmy McClenaghan Betty Mc Kee Linda Vance David Vance Richard Payne Tom Williamson (Secretary)
Trustees
Richard Payne (Chairman) Jim Magowan (Secretary) George McCoubrey, Jimmy McClenaghan Samuel Smyth, Albert McKee Trevor Crothers, Samuel Graham Jackie Peacock
Treasurer
David Vance , Jimmy McClenaghan (FWO Secretary)
Ladies Fellowship
President – Barbara Neill Secretary Joyce Bell Treasurer Elsie Crothers
Committee - Betty McKee , Isobel Hamilton, Lilian Mawhinney, Pauline Johnston
Organists
Emily Douglas Elsie Crothers
Parent and Toddlers
Betty McKee, Barbara Neill, Daisy McCoubrey , Isobel Hamilton, Sally Hamilton, Emily Douglas Pauline Johnston, Evelyn Spiers, Joyce Bell, Wendy Bell
Missionary Committee
Chairman Rev. Victor Neill, Bookings – Trevor Crothers, Elsie Crothers, Richard Payne, Vera McKee, Nan Bell
Cemetery Committee
(Convenor) Harry Bowles
Child Protection Officer
Sammy Graham
Health and Safety Officer and GDPR Officer
Tom Williamson G D P R Number ZA460445
Church Web-site
David McCoubrey
Church Web Address; www.ballynahinchcongregational.com Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 100648
Deaths
LILY ENGLISH DIED 23-2-23 MOLLY KOSCIELNY DIED 18-3-23 WILLIE BELL DIED 14-2-23 BILLY BELL B'LONE DIED 13-4-23 RICHARD PAYNE DIED 19-5-23 KAY THOMPSON DIED 2-8-23 SARAH HAMILTON DIED 19-8-23 NORA BLACK DIED 18-9-23 GEORGE GILLESPIE DIED 8-10-23 RACHAEL WALSH DIED 16-11-23 ICHARD MC CULLY DIED 26-11-23 JEAN WATSON DIED 17-12-23
Minister’s Report
As we look back and reflect on a another year with the Psalmist we say
‘ It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord’ (Ps 92 v 1)
We thank God for so many blessings as individuals and as a fellowship. We are thankful that attendances have kept up well – although there is always room for improvement ! The giving of the Congregation is also a cause for thanksgiving, because not only are we able to meet all our outgoings, but we are also able to help quite a number of Missionary endeavours and also help others who are in need in different parts of our world. We would like to be able to do more in the way of outreach , although our Harvest and
Christmas services were very well attended and brought in folk who would not normally attend and the Gospel was preached .
We are aware of those of our congregation who have not enjoyed the best of health and assure them of our continued prayer . We also share the sense of loss with those who have lost loved ones since our last report .
In closing let me say we cannot be content where we are as a Church, we must endeavor to go forward !
We read in Isaiah ch 54 v 2
‘ Enlarge the place of your tent ‘
Barbara and I thank you and are grateful for your continuing love and support and look forward to greater things in the days that lie ahead.
Yours in Christ
Victor
MIDWEEK AND MISSIONARY REPORT 2023
We praise God for a full year of meetings (Post Covid). Our midweek meeting has a core of very faithful attenders who all enjoy the time of fellowship. The Bible study by our Pastor Victor continues in the book of Psalms. This is a great source of life lessons to help us in our Christian walk.
Our prayer times are very important as we place the many needs of our congregation before the Throne of grace. We thank God for answers to prayer throughout the year.
If I could make one observation it would be that our midweek attendance has halved in numbers since before covid. Please return and support the Midweek. Much prayer - much blessing. No prayer – no blessing!
During the year we had 8 Missionary speakers. Brief reports are listed as follows –
In February, Pastor Keith Lindsay, Acre International brought us up to date with Church planting and outreach in Spain and Brazil. It is encouraging to hear of many nationals in leadership in the local work.
In March, Rev Norman Fox reported on the work in Romania, a very poor county, full of many needy families. The Mission seeks to alleviate their need for better living conditions as well as providing clothing, food and medical help linked to the proclamation of the Gospel. The mission also supports local workers in their ongoing work.
We had a return visit from Ruth Nelson C.E.F. Europe in April. She updated us on her I.T. programming for online resources for children and young people. This is a very effective tool in reaching young people in this Social Media age.
In May, we had John and Pauline Tuff who had just come home on furlough from Tanzania. Their work is expanding and there is always pressure to provide good education facilities for the children under their care in the orphanage at the Tanzanian Christian Farm Development Trust complex.
In June, Trevor Morrow was a new voice as representative for Slavic Gospel Association. He related the need for the provision of good teaching materials in their own language for local Pastors in Eastern Europe, also for the support of widows in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. There is a great need for Russian Bibles for Muslim families in Central Asia.
In October, our own Sarah Douglas and two of her teammates Stephenie and Ruby Carlisle gave us a good report of their trip to Uganda in August with New Beginnings. Apart from flight delays their trip was most successful with many children being reached with humanitarian aid and with the Gospel Message. Many parents also attended showing great interest in the meetings.
At our November meeting we had Sydney and Hazel Johnston United Grace Mission, India. Teaching work amongst the local Pastors continues and there is always pressure at the Childrens home. Because of Indian government restrictions it is becoming more difficult to send financial support to the Pastors. Please pray for an easing of these restrictions.
To round off the year, in our December meeting Tommy Anderson, World Gospel Mission, updated us on his very recent trip with his wife Leverne and a team of ladies to the orphanage in Kenya. The latest project is a new building for mentally challenged young people where they will have appropriate accommodation to suit their needs. Tommy is very appreciative of the donations of knit wear and towels from our ladies.
All our missionaries need continued prayer and support for their work. A very big thankyou to our midweek supporters and Missionary Envelope contributors for their more than generous support for our missionaries throughout another year.
A large amount of money has again been donated this year to Missionary Causes from our church.
(See Financial Report)
Trevor Crothers.
Ladies Fellowship
As I review our Ladies Fellowship over the past year, may I express my appreciation to those ladies who have faithfully supported the meetings each month. This encourages me not only personally, but also those guest speakers who come along either to share ministry , testimony or a practical demonstration with us.
Our Guests were : Dr. Nigel Campbell in January, who shared about his visit to Uganda to work with orphans/ disadvantaged children etc. One of our dear members Sally, was able to pass on blankets and garments which she had knitted , which were able to wing their way to Uganda within a few months and were greatly appreciated. Catherine Millar gave a Floral Demonstration in February, based on ‘ The Greatest Love Story ‘ Marion Reid ministered and shared her testimony at our March meeting , she also brought along a selection of books which she has written and many were purchased. Carolyn Bennett gave a card making demonstration or rather she supervised us as we ladies tried our hand at this craft ! She also shared her testimony with us at our October meeting . In November Isabella Purdy shared her experience of serving the Lord as a missionary in South Korea for 13 years .
We all enjoyed a lovely Christmas Dinner in the Mulberry Tree Restaurant , I organised a quiz and gave a short epilogue on the Christmas message.
Sadly , two of our faithful members have been’ called home’ over the past year . We thank God for every remembrance of our sisters Lily English and Rachel Walsh. The respective families appreciated all the assistance of our Ladies in providing and serving the Funeral Teas. May I invite any Ladies who do not as yet come to the meetings to join with us on the 2nd Mon of each month October to March .
Yours in Christ
Barbara Neill
Choir Report 2023
It is good to be able to report that 2023 brought us to more normal times after 2 years of Covid 19 restrictions. We have a very faithful group who meet twice a month for practices and are more than willing to do their best and add new pieces to our repertoire.
Easter, Harvest and Christmas pieces always bring a challenge, and I appreciate their commitment during these busy times of preparation.
In December we were invited to do a Carol Service in Redburn Nursing Home. It was lovely to see so many of the residents participating and we would like to thank Victor for joining us and sharing a short Christmas message. We spent some time chatting with the folk and there may be an opportunity to return in the new year to share some hymn singing.
I would like to thank Emily and Myrtle for their willingness in helping, as and when required.
In May after a long period of illness, we lost Richard Payne, a very committed and faithful Tenor member of the Choir and Men’s Group. Richard never lost his interest in the Choir and often asked “How are things going in the Choir? “We express our sympathy to Audrey and although she is unable to join us in the Choir it is good to see her Sunday by Sunday in our Church Services.
In November, Maisie lost her husband Richard. Although Richard was not a Choir member, he was a very loyal supporter and encouraged us in all our efforts. It is good to have Maisie back in her place as Alto.
We remember both Audrey and Maisie in our prayers but we rejoice that both Richards are now in the presence of their Lord, whom they loved and served for many years, and we look forward in anticipation to that “Great day coming By and By” “But until then, We’ll keep on singing” and praying that the Lord will make us a blessing week by week as we seek to proclaim the message in song to our congregation.
Elsie Crothers
Thursday Fellowship Report 2023
Sadly, meetings have not restarted since the outbreak of Covid 19 in March 2020.
Due to bereavements and many of our former attendees unable now to be out to Church there are no plans to restart the Fellowship at present.
Trevor Crothers
Audrey Anderson
Parents and Toddlers 2023
The Parents and Toddlers Group meet on Wednesdays during the school terms from 10.30am – 12.00. A faithful and dedicated team of helpers ensure the smooth running of the Group and my thanks to all.
On average, there are about 24 toddlers with their parents or childminders who attend. The toddlers play with the toys and enjoy toast and juice while the adults have tea or coffee.
Santa paid us a visit on our last gathering before Christmas and invitations were given out to the parents and childminders for the Church Carol Service. It was encouraging to see a few attended.
Isobell Hamilton
main areas of income and expenditure for the Church Current Account
Total Income £96,625.32 Total Expenditure £96,454.35
Freewill Offering Envelopes in 2023 totaled £52,070.50showing a decrease from £53,358.40 in 2022. Loose offerings were up in 2023 to £2,252.85 from 2022 figure of £1198.60
Salaries and Employer's/Employee's NIC/PAYE accounted for £28,306.14
Oil and Electricity costs have rocketed to £24,588.00 from £9,678.00 in 2022. Other expenditure is as outlined elsewhere in this report.
Investments:
There is £53,826.54 in the church bank account that needs to be re-invested.
Missionary/Charitable Giving Midweek Fellowship £ 3,025.00 Missionary Account £12,955.00 Ladies Fellowship £ 365.00 Poppy Appeal £ 131.50 Total £16,476.50
Closing Balance for 2023 is £234,638.88 and is credited as follows
Church £159,560.43 Mission £4,653.70 Midweek Fellowship £9,958.14 Investment £53,826.54 Ladies Fellowship £4,718.02 Sunday School £305.04 Jeremiah Fund - £247.02 Bowling Club £298.00 Parent &Toddler £1,566.03
Only organisations that submitted their accounts for auditing have been included in this report. The following Organisations failed to produce accounts for this report.
Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade, Missionary Board, WINGS, YC4U
All other books of accounts and supporting documentation have been subject to external audit by Nelson Accountancy Services on 16/5/24, and a report submitted to the Trustees.
Income
Balance 1/1/23 Church £149,076.81 Balance 1/1/23 Missionary Acc £7,180.29 Balance 1/1/23 Midweek Fellowship £8,806.84 Balance 1/1/23 Ladies Fellowship £4,718.02 Balance 1/1/23 Parent&Toddlers £1,398.23 Balance 1/1/23 Thursday Fellowship £177.70 Balance 1/1/23 Jeremiah Fund £10,256.37 Balance 1/1/23 Investment £53,826.54 Balance 1/1/23 Bowling Club £298.00 Balance 1/1/23 Sunday School £305.04
Freewill offerings £52,070.50 Sunday cash collections £2,252.85 Missionary Envelopes £3,698.00 Missionary Collections inc Gift Aid £8,255.61 Midweek Fellowship £4,276.30 Sundries £23,931.23 Cemetry Fees £2,200.00 Parents & Toddlers £692.75
£333,421.08
Expenditure Rev Victor Neill £23,927.66 Mrs Joan Hunter Sexton £1,289.68 Employer's/Employee's NIC/PAYE £3,088.80 Rates Church/Manse/Gate Lodge £1,808.88 Insurance Church/Manse/Gate Lodge £3,678.24 Printing/Stationary/Publishing £619.93 Oil £6,722.00 Electricity £17,866.00 Property Maintainance £5,729.11 Speakers/Singers/etc £1,555.00 Church phones £1,081.67 Bank Charges £363.88 Mission £12,955.00 Sundries £3,765.31 Wednesday Fellowship £3,025.00 Solicitors (Jeremiah Fund) £10,503.39 Parents & Toddlers £254.97
Balance 31/12/23 Church £158,035.23 Balance 31/12/23 Missionary Acc £6,178.90 Balance 31/12/23 Midweek Fellowship £10,058.14 Balance 31/12/23 Ladies Fellowship £4,718.02 Balance 31/12/23 Thursday Fellowship £177.70 Balance 31/12/23 Parent&Toddlers £1,836.01 Balance 31/12/23 Jeremiah Fund -£247.02 Balance 31/12/23 Investment £53,826.54 Balance 31/12/23 Bowling Club £298.00 Balance 31/12/23 Sunday School £305.04
£333,421.08
issionary Account 2023 alance 111123 155ionary Envelope5 £4.773.29 155ionary Collection5 £2.407.00 issionary Envelopes £3,698.00 ganda yrian Earthquake enna £105.00 Tear Fund £3,050.00 Sara Douglas Uganda £2,905.00 I CEF Geof & Karenwallace £55.00 CEF Ruth Nelson £3,050.00 £105,00 £500.00 EF £500.00 hest,Heart&stroke ommunion iftAid £877.15 £iio.00 Cristian Institute £500.00 Revival Move me nt £500.00 £1,153.46 GMSA £500.00 SASRA £soo.00 Open Doors SDHS £soo.00 £500.00 Tomn)yAnderson J.Graharn Portadown Ternperance Ballinasloe Christian Fe l- lowship Henna £600.00 £500.00 £500.00 £4,200.00 Mi55ionaryEnvelopes Mi55ionaryCollection5 £2.671.29 £3.507.61 £19 133.90 £19 133.90
edensdw Fellowshlp 2023 alance 111/23 £8,806.84 issionary Colle (- I ons £2,679.50 CRE £300.0 idweek Collec- ons £1,496.80 orman Fox £400.0 EF Ruth Nelson £300.0 CFDT £400.0 GA £400.0 ew Be ginnings (Sarah D ouglas) nite d Grace Missi on £425.0 £400.0 omrny Anderson £400.0 losing Bal ance 31112123 £9,958.1 otal £12 983.14 12 983.1 hursday Fellowship 2023 Income Expenditure Cash Balance 1-1-23 no meetings £177.70 Cash Balance 31-12-23 £177.70 £177. 70 £177. 70
adies f ellowship Bank Ba18nce 111123 É4.718.02 CBshBal8nce 111123 £98.92 Colle cb'ons £140.00 Dr Nigel Campbell (Ugandal 150be11 (Sausage Rolls) S adie Graharn fune ral Catherine Millar Flower Demonstration £140.0 £48.00 £40.0 £74.00 £30.0 £74.00 150be11 (Sausage Rolls) Lily English fune ral Marion Reid £40.0 £105.00 £30.0 Caroline Bennett Isabe Ila Purdy Isobell (Sausage Rolls) Rachael Walsh fune ral 1sobe11 (Sausage Rolls) R ichard Mccully fune ral £60.0 £105.0 £21.6 £43.2 Tip Mulberry Tree stalf (Ladies Dinner) £30.0 Ba nkB818nce31112123 £4,718. £o.I Cash BalBnce31112123
undwschool 2023 Inome Fonk Bèlar 1-1-23 pendture £3)SC nD Lll%i1y 2022 losirg Bank larts 31-12-23 £3)s £3)SC £3)S NB Bank Baance in Churth Allrrt rent5aTrJ Toddlers23 Dffle penth.twe ash Balaro 1-1-23 ank 8aloro 1-1-23 £19J.7S £1%748 ub5criptilln5 efre5hment5 £177.Lil £347.95 refre5hrnent 5upplie5 ift5 tah'llnaty Oukn"ns5 Iu55 odju5tmert £116.9 £82.SO £5.50 £so.00 ash ludged (Seo 231 £167.80 losirgcash BalaTrx 31-12-23 losirg Bank BaLar 31-12-23 £9. £2mO £2Tr0 EREMIAH BJND 2023 ncDme Expenditure alare 1-1-23 £1025371 Soliator5 £10,503.39 8alarEe 31-12-23 4247n2 £102%37 £102%37
Bowling aub 2023 Inome Balae 111123 penditwe £38.coI no xn'%ity 2022 CIosir¥ BalarGe 2/23 £38.OJ £8.0) £?8,OJ ncome Sundries 2023 onations £650.00 uneral Teas £3,090.00 £576.42 ank Interest oppy Appeal IE Pole WO Gift Aid from FWO hurch Dinner £131.50 £5.46 £18,477.85 £1,000.00 otal £23 931.23
Expenditure 2023 ulberry Tree £1,210.00 £248.00 BQ supplies DPR £153.11 £35.00 elson Accountancy BL poppy appeal hoir Gift £250.00 £131.50 £ioo.00 hurch Association Fee £12.50 azhera Inn Gift voucher Rosemary atchinz Syria Earthquake appeal nal Tolals £ioo.00 £1,525.20 £3 765.21
Property Maintainence 2023 Iwater £894.3 roperty Repair expensesj MCC TIS £293.2 £591.2 cKinstry Skips ohn Hunter grass-cuth'ng atte 5ts.ng laze £264.0 £1,200.0 £140.0 £153.6 H Engineering adiocontact oilervallve (Jimrnyl l Boiler Services £1,093.2 £778.2 £70.4 £155.0 B Brown £95.8 otal
No FWO Mi55ion £610.00 £240.00 £520.00 £265.00 £45.00 £700.00 £195.00 £115.00 £310.00 £270.00 £1,060.00 £200.00 10 £265.00 11 £500.00 12 £0.00 13 £600.00 14 £0.00 15 £530.00 £70.00 16 £405.00 17 £50,00 18 £400.00 19 £170.00 20 £1,590.00 21 £275.00 22 £540.00 23 £130.00 24 £255.00 25 £0.00
FWO Mi55ion 26 £0.00 27 £20.00 28 £90,00 29 £40,00 30 £1,760.00 £240.00 31 £0.00 32 £0.00 33 £265.00 34 £1,060.00 35 £570.00 36 £0.00 37 £500.00 38 £200.00 39 £300.00 40 £o,00 41 £0.00 42 £480.00 43 £540.00 £120.00 44 £70.00 45 £525.00 46 £1,040,00 £240,00 47 £1,300.00 £120.00 48 £1,300.00 £120.00 49 £370.00 50 £245,00
No FWO Mission 51 £245.00 52 £1,555.00 53 £0.00 54 £120.00 55 £520.00 56 £106.00 57 £0.00 58 £ioo.00 59 £550.00 60 £265.00 61 £237.00 62 £240.00 63 £150.00 64 £520.00 65 £275.00 66 £5.00 67 £2.00 68 £2.00 69 £530.00 £190,00 70 £265.00 71 £460.00 72 £270.00 73 £500.00 74 £1,400.00 £754.00 75 £122,00
No FWO Mi55iOII 76 £265.00 77 £255.50 78 £50,00 £50.00 79 £720.00 £5.00 80 £795.00 £5.00 81 £1,060.00 £120.00 82 £1,600.00 £140.00 83 £1,300.00 84 £107.00 85 £0.00 86 £500.00 87 £490.00 88 £120.00 89 £285.00 £120.00 90 £260.00 91 £320.00 92 £275,00 93 £107.00 94 £102.00 95 £1,060.00 £55,00 96 £225.00 97 £0.00 98 £1,855.00 £120.00 99 £795.00 £120.00 100 £300,00
No FWO Mi55ion 101 £795.00 102 £270.00 103 £230.00 104 £160.00 105 £220.00 106 £20.00 107 £295.00 108 £140.00 109 £760.00 110 £710.00 111 £265.00 £120.00 112 £1,580,00 £120,00 113 £260.00 114 £480.00 £60.00 115 £20,00 116 £270.00 £60.00 117 £500.00 £ioo.00 118 £500.00 £20.00 119 £0.00 120 £40.00 121 £0.00 122 £1,154,00 £144.00 123 £731.00 124 £265,00 125 £530.00 126 £160.00 Tota15 £52 070.50 £3 698.00