RUGBY AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
(Trading as Carryduff Congregational Church)
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2025
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC100952)
Rugby Avenue Congregational Church
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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Contents
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|Trustees’|Report|3|
|Independent Examiner’s|Report|7|
|Financial|Statements|-|Receipts|and|Payments Account|8|
|Financial|Statements|-|Statement|of Assets|and|Liabilities|9|
|Notes to the|Financial Statements|10|
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Rugby Avenue Congregational Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their Report and the Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.
The Trustees of Rugby Avenue Congregational Church have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s Annual Reporting and Public Benefit Requirement Statutory Guidance in the preparation of this report and in the course of their business in the reporting period.
Status Rugby Avenue Congregational Church is governed by its constitution which was revised during 2015 and 2016 and came into effect at the Annual General Meeting on 17 February 2016. Subsequently the trust gained permission to trade as Carryduff Congregational Church.
Key objectives, purposes and activities
Our purpose is to promote the Christian Faith and glorify God through the preaching and teaching of the Word of Godin Public Worship, reaching out to people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and encouraging themin their daily lives. To reach out to the lonely and depressed and provide opportunitiesfor them to relate to other people in similar circumstances, to build meaningful relationships and overcome social isolation.
Activities undertaken for public benefit
Public Benefit. Our aim is to share the Christian Gospel and Faith through the advancement of Religion. The direct benefits of this aim include the provision of a Church building for public worship to provide spiritual and moral teaching and support for its members, and the general public who are welcome to attend. Opportunity is provided for Biblical teaching, prayer and worship. Our Church beneficiaries include our members, their families, the general public and the community in which our charity serves. All ouractivities are opento the general public and are advertised to them. There is no likelihood of our purpose being of harm to anyone. One of our aims is to do all the good we can to all those we can. We are friends to all enemies of none.
A Private Benefit flowing from our purpose is related to the employment of apart time ministerand this is necessary in the furtherance of our charity’s purpose and is reasonable and not excessive.
What we do:
Services of Public Worship
Services are made available for public worship, to provide spiritual and moral teaching and support for its members, and the general public who are welcome to attend. There is one service each Sunday. Special services are also held in celebration of festivals such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. There is an opportunity to share in refreshments, receive gifts and literature about the real meaning of these festivals.
The weekly activities have continued and new activities have commenced.
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Rugby Avenue Congregational Church
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Trustees’ Report continued
Talking Chairs
Talking Chairs was originally conceived as a result of a survey conducted by one of our local councillors who commented “that while the area of Carryduff did not have many “down and outs” but did have a lot of “up and ins.” Meaning that there were older single people, who whilst not in dire financial difficulty live alone, are lonely socially isolated and in mental deficit.
As a direct result of that comment, we conceived the idea of Talking Chairs. A place where potentially lonely people could meet in a warm pleasant atmosphere, have acup of tea and a biscuit, a chat anda laugh. Something to look forward to and get them out of the house, a motivator to get up and dressed and an expectancy of abit of “Craic,” news and gossip. Forming good relationships has been the aim and over a cup of tea/coffee it has been achieved, with positive outcomes.
We cleared part of our main Church building and introduced round tables and comfortable chairs and a facility for Tea and Coffee making. The area is warm, light, open, and folk can come in and stay for the morning or for shorter periods — just as they please. The average age has increased since its inception. There have been notable illnesses, causing some to be house bound, some to be hospitalised, others to be residents in Care Homes. The pastoral care we are able to offer includes to visits wherever they are, written communication from the group (signed cards from all), small gifts such as flowers and nice treats such as chocolates or whatever is appropriate
This provision is free, thriving and open to everyone. Now in its 7" year it is serviced by 6 volunteers and attracts 30 to 35 individuals each Tuesday from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. The numbers have remained steady. With some unable to be present new people have joined.
Newsofthe facility is spread by word of mouth and new attendees appear regularly and are quickly and warmly welcomed into the Group. It has been encouraging to see an increase in the numbers of men coming on a regular basis).
Bible Study, Prayer and Fellowship
Meeting weekly, up to ten people join in a course of study in Mark’s Gospel (notes are provided each week). There are lots of sharing, questions and fellowship. Great concern is shown to each other in this learning environment. When the Study in Mark was finished, we started a creative series called Long Journey Short. With the use of maps we trace right through the history of God’s dealings with people from Genesis to Revelation. Once again sharing , questions and personal sharing, form an essential part of our time together.
The Ladies Guild
This meeting for women meets monthly from September to May with a full and varied programme. This has included: a talk about the work of Samaritan Purse, work among those suffering from leprosy, involvementin crafts and flower arranging, hearing about the work of[various][charities][which][have][been] supported by the guild. The purpose of the Guild is for Fellowship, Friendship and Encouragement.
Open for Prayer
This meeting takes place on the first Friday of each month right around the year. Posters are out to invite anyone who wishes to attend. The building is open from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. People can come and go as they please. This time is set aside for personal reflection, prayer and praise. Many use it as an opportunity to be quiet, to get away fromall of life’s cares, problems and chores. Some have stated that they have left refreshed looking forward to the next opportunity to avail themselves of this quiet time.
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Rugby Avenue Congregational Church
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
Trustees’ Report continued
How we are funded:
The charity has sufficient funds in its accounts to sustain its expenses and liabilities. The main source of annual income is the “Freewill Offerings” of those attending worship at our weekly Sunday Services, received either through money contained in sealed envelopes or by loose cash deposited in the collection plate. These are recorded and banked weekly. The Ladies meeting (called “The Ladies Guild”) also have an offering plate and they are responsible for deciding how it is used in their organisation.
Reports on the Church’s activities, and financial affairs, are prepared for the Congregational Meeting in November and for the AGM, usually, in April. The Reports are formally adopted at the AGM.
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Rugby Avenue Congregational Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
REGISTERED ADDRESS
Rugby Congregational Church 4 Queensfort Road Carryduff Belfast BT8 8NG
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC100952)
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were Trustees at the date of this Report were: Mrs Margaret Stokes Mr Reginald Humphreys Mrs Hilda Johnston Mrs Edith Young
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Minister Rev Kenneth Irvine (PT) Church Secretary Mr Reginald Humphreys (Acting) Treasurer Mrs Margaret Stokes
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Mr Stephen McCausland 13 Cleland Park Central Bangor BT20 3EP
BANKERS
Danske Bank PO Box 183 Donegall Square West Belfast BT1 6JS
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Rugby Avenue Congregational Church
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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
SOLICITORS
Hewitt & Gilpin Thomas House 14-16 James Street South Belfast BT2 7GA
Approved by the Trustees on 18 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by
A donqoneb OR k
Margaret Stokes Treasurer
Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Rugby Avenue Congregational Church
| report on the accounts of Rugby Avenue Congregational Church forthe year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
| have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under sections and 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
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