2025-12-31-annual-report - Saintfield/Saintfield Parish/Down and Dromore/Church of Ireland

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Saintfield Parish Church

Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities

For the year ended 31 December 2025

r Annual Report

Charities Number: NIC 101048

Saintfield Parish Church

Annual Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Contents

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|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Pages| |References|and|administrative|details|of the|Charity|1| |Trustees’|Report|2-6| |Financial|Review|7| |Structure,|Governance|and|Management|8-9| ||| |independent|Examiner’s|Report to|the|Trustees|10| |Receipts|and|Payments Account|11| |Statement|of Assets|and|Liabilities|12| |Notes|to|the|financial|statements|13-16|

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Saintfield Parish Church

References and administrative details

Charity Name: Saintfield Parish Church

Charity Registration Number: Contact Address:

NIC 101048

43-45 Main Street Saintfield Ballynahinch County Down BT24 7AB

Trustees

Rev. Chris Pollock Bryce Hetherington Catherine Griffith (Retired 2025) Dawn Gordon Craig Weston Rosemary Armstrong Stephen Erskine June Butler Leonard Hill Linda Bloomer Joy Whitley Pamela McNamara Craig McCarter Caroline Kearney Phylis Whiteside (Elected 2025) Peter Andrews Carol Andrews Heather Todd (Elected 2025)

Principal Office-bearers

Clergy: Rev. Chris Pollock Hon. Secretary: Stephen Erskine Church Treasurer: Caroline Kearney Church Warden- Clergy: Pamela McNamara Church Warden - People: Heather Todd Glebe Warden- Clergy: Craig Weston Glebe Warden- People: Joy Whitley

Independent Examiner

Hamiil Mcllwaine Chartered Accountants 28 — 30 Old Mountfield Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 7BJ

Bankers

Danske Bank 49-51 Market Street, Downpatrick BT30 6LX, Co. Down Northern Ireland

Saintfield Parish Church Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

The Trustees present the Annual Report and Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Saintfield Parish Church for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Objectives and Activities

The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.

The principal function of Saintfield Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Saintfield Parish Church the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.

As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Saintfield Parish Church has custody of property and of records, materials, and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry of[the][Saintfield][Parish.]

Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit

“Jesus| Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 y,5O love the current Formula 1 trailer with its opening statement: “Every end has a 0 | 0 7762036 —" beginning.” Taylor Swift — | am told by those who know these things — sings something similar. Aahn(t_pe_ 8 As | reflect on our past Church year — Easter 2025 to Easter 2026 — and on my own personal life, this year has clearly been marked by change, transition, and fresh opportunities. Yet behind every ending and every new chapter stands the truth of Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. While much has changed this year — people, roles, seasons, and circumstances — Christ has remained constant. His faithfulness has carried me, each of us, and our parish through all the changes that come, both anticipated and unexpected.

The Big Transition

In terms of our church life, the most significant milestone has been the 249th year of our current church building. This past year has been one in which we as a Vestry have reflected on how this anniversary might shape the next stage of our parish life as we prepare to enter this unique period from January 2026 to December 2026.

Through prayer, listening to one another, to our community, and to God through preaching on Ephesians and other sermon series, our 250th year has gradually taken shape through planning special worship events, social engagements, mission opportunities, tower repairs and fundraising — resulting in a refreshing combination of faith, fun, food, and family.

Just as our church building first began its life in 1776, reaching the close of its 249th year in 2025, we pray this celebration year will open mission-shaped opportunities for generations yet to come.

Change and Continuity in Worship

There have been several transitions within our worshipping life.

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| pair ae | Alan Higgins, Diocesan Lay Reader, who faithfully led worship and shared God’s Word on
| Cp Ree the fourth Sunday of most months since October 2021, now moves into a new chapter.
s\/ », é Alan’s passion for Jesus, personal witness, and encouragement will be deeply missed. We
a pray God’s blessing upon Alan and Linda in the season ahead.
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=Y 4a 3 Donna Matchett also reaches a point of transition as she takes a well-earned rest from
y q B assisting at the 8.30am service. Her thoughtful intercessions and careful preparation
| | | r helped lead us into deeper encounters with God in Holy Communion. We thank her
| ey t | sincerely and look forward to future opportunities for her involvement.
| ye: > 3 | Denis Matchett has stepped back from the 8.30am Welcomer role he faithfully offered
| 5 oes since before the Covid years. His dependability and attention to detail were a
——_______ tremendous gift to clergy and congregation alike. Thank you, Denis.
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As some roles conclude, space is created for others to grow.

It is with great joy that I share that Katie Cooke is currently training as a Parish Reader and, God willing, will begin licensed ministry by Easter 2026. She will assist in leading worship and prayer at our 10.00am services, bringing her energy, faith, and enthusiasm to our church family. Denis Matchett stepping back opened the way for Gerry Lavery, who, together with Kathy, joined our parish last year. Gerry has embraced the Welcomer role wholeheartedly, offering warmth, organisation, and assistance with administering the chalice. Thank you, Gerry, for stepping forward.

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Growth is also evident through SPACE / REFRESH worship. Deirdre Hill, Lauren Whitley, Sarah McCarter, and Katie Cooke have generously offered their gifts to shape worship for young families and children. Their willingness to serve allows Christian faith to grow among the next generation — something vital for what lies ahead.

Thank you also to everyone involved in setting up SPACE worship, to Craig McCarter for leading music, and to the Foodie Team whose hospitality blesses us each month.

Thank you to Jackie Todd, our faithful PowerPoint operator (and weekly challenger to the Vicar’s PPT clicker!); Michael Harris, our diligent and gifted organist; and Craig McCarter for his committed music ministry in SPACE and our joyful Pop-Up Choirs.

Mission Partnerships — At Home and Abroad

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| Py | Meee Tips | An encouraging development is our growing partnership with the Church of the
| a, Redeemer in La Paz, Bolivia. Pastor David and his wife Marcia continue to
i ne eo! encourage us through photos, videos, and prayer.
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| [A] f\, _ [High] bis Se - Throughexplore the SAMSpossibility Ireland, of we a hopeparish tovisit welcome themin February 2028.in SeptemberClaire and 2026 Geoff and from
| eee SAMS will visit our SPACE service in April to strengthen these mission
—_—__connections. A helpful next step would be reducing my administrative
involvement in this partnership. We now need a Parish Link person or small
team to nurture this relationship and sustain its momentum.
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We also continue supporting The Suitcase Project in East Belfast through fundraising events such as our Parish Breakfast — thanks especially to the Men Alive group. Again, a Link Person would help strengthen this ministry.

Sad Farewells and Signs of Hope

Some transitions come with sadness. We remember with gratitude the lives of Jim Rountree, Myrtle Drury, Doreen McKelvey, and Rae Jennings, faithful servants whose quiet discipleship shaped this parish for many years. Their witness reminds us that much of God’s kingdom grows through steady faithfulness unseen by many.

At the same time, our baptisms have increased — beautiful signs of life among us. May we always remain a church where families feel welcome and children grow knowing Jesus is real. Some changes are harder to reshape. Our Wednesday Explore Group closed in 2025 due to my personal circumstances. | had hoped to restart sooner. Deeper engagement with God’s Word and prayer remains essential for discipleship, and | ask your encouragement as we seek ways forward together. Buildings and Resources — Faithful Stewardship

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In buildings and resources there are rarely clear beginnings or endings — only
ongoing stewardship.
i 0 | "t Following the Diocesan Report concerning the state of our buildings, the
tl Vicarage was viewed very positively, while concerns were raised regarding
the
Church Tower. During 2025 we assessed the extent of repairs, now estimated
al 0 = at £45,000, and began planning for work to be undertaken in Summer 2026.
i Preventative work now will protect us from future damage and costs.
We will launch a Church Tower Appeal with a Gift Day on 22/3/26, with
further opportunities to give throughout the year. We are very grateful to two
Church American families (Messrs Moffat & Connor) who donated £5k in total to this
Tower | work—
A a generosity that deeply encouraged me. Thank you to John McGowan for his
ppea invaluable assistance in this and co-ordinating the project.
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Other resources in the Parish Hall were also upgraded. We resolved audio-visual issues between Church and Hall and improved the TV network and screens through a legacy from the late Bob Armitage’s Estate. These improvements will expand opportunities for cross-community use of our facilities.

We are also exploring a fixed cleaning contract for the Parish Hall to complement the faithful work of our Sexton, lan Gordon, whose dedication consistently goes beyond duty and hours and who keeps the graveyard in such a pristine condition.

Administration

Administration has thankfully been marked by continuity.

Sally Milligan faithfully manages parish administration with warmth and initiative, supporting much of the Vicar’s routine workload. Everything is consistently completed to a high standard. Over the past year we also introduced a new administration system connecting everything through Microsoft and our domain name.

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cscaua a NO [ee «(Caroline Kearney, Treasurer, continues to
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we ; in Se ae ph ese continued involvement on the Vestry.
LNG ot HS Rates S ier Mates i Heather Todd has completed her first year as
CATA ee ers eee Church Warden, continuing herleadership
MEACK Mores Ry ee SH Journey with warmth and dedication.
= ae e Sey Special thanks to Stephen Erskine, Hon
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© Wardens; and to the whole Vestry for their
™ Openness, accountability, and hard work.
(Minus Bryce Hetherington)
We also thank our Safeguarding Team, led by Kate Beattie, for navigating continually evolving legal
requirements. lan Logan now steps down from this role. Thank you, lan, for your faithful care.
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Other Volunteers and groups — Ministry in Motion

Across parish life, volunteer ministry continually evolves.

Our Mothers’ Union continues with new members joining and people stepping up to monthly tasks. At present, there isn’t a Leader as such, but everyone on the committee is working hard and it is resulting in more people becoming involved. Tuesday nights/afternoons are great to see in action.

Men Alive grows from strength to strength in fellowship and outreach. Different outings, some food time and Coffees all is gradually evolving this group into a core activity that we all look forward too. A big thanks also for the Sunday Breakfast which was a fundraiser for ‘The Suitcase Project’ in East Belfast. Thanks to Leonard and team for Co-ordinating.

Pitter Patter remains a vital new beginning of connection with young families. Sarah, David, Valda, Joanne and Dawn all together organise this every week and are making great connections with all sorts of new people and families. Thank you for all that you do.

Wednesday Welcome continues faithfully, though new beginnings in leadership support are needed. We thank Ann Drury and Mervyn Smyth as they reached their new ending after thirteen years of devoted service. Julie, Liz and Andree organise everything. Bowling and Badminton meet weekly through the work of William Drury and lan Gordon. These are enjoyable, social times together and the numbers have increased in both. (Big thanks for the Sit out as well for Suicide Down to 0000 at Christmas 2025)

Finally, thank you to Leonard Hill and Muriel Hilman for delivering magazines each month. Leonard and Deirdre also make sure the Magazine is put together, checked over and ready to go. It is an invaluable gift of time and energy. , We have more people volunteering for our 250% Anny events especially for our History Day and Christmas Tree Festival. However, we always need more. The concert on Friday 9** October will need various teams to help make it work. We will be asking for help in June, but If God places something on your heart to become involved, please do not wait to be asked. Step forward. Your gift matters, and every person has a place in what God is doing among us.

Personal Reflections

This year our family experienced profound loss with the passing of my parents and Wenda’s father. During those months, this church surrounded us with extraordinary love, prayer, patience, and care. We felt supported not only as clergy, but as family. Thank you for being Christ to us. Though painful, we trust God to bring healing and renewed hope in the days ahead.

Moving Forward — At Jesus’ Pace

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Returning to Formula 1’s phrase: WE ARE NOT CALLED
“Every end has a beginning.”
Formula 1 moves fast — races end, teams reset, T0 BF SU CCE 38 F v 1 .
differengin e ntly.s restart. But the Church of Jesus moves aUT FAITHFU L
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Jesus’ speed notices people. °

Jesus’ speed walks with the hurting.

Jesus’ speed makes time for transformation.

Jesus’ speed is the pace of love, prayer, and faithfulness.

As we enter a new 250th era of parish life, our mission is not acceleration but obedience — walking forward at the pace Christ sets. God has never called us to be successful. God has called us to be faithful.

Faithful in worship. Faithful in service. Faithful in love. Faithful in mission.

Because Jesus Christ — yesterday, today, and forever — remains faithful to us.

If we remain faithful to Him, we can trust Him with the future, knowing that every season ultimately finds its fulfilment in the eternal glory of God. The best ending of all. Amen

Saintfield Parish Church

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

Financial Review Total Parish receipts for 2025 amounted to approximately £163,000, remaining broadly consistent with 2024 levels. Freewill Offering (FWO) income also remained steady year-on-year, with a continued increase in contributions made via standing order. This method of giving is appreciated as it reduces administrative costs, particularly envelope printing, and supports more accurate budgeting and cash-flow planning.

income Streams

Income from the Parish Hall remained in line with 2024 at £12,000, supported by steady demand from community groups. There remains additional capacity for increased utilisation of the Church Hall Complex. Parish investments increased in value during the year. Restricted investments stood at £77,000, with unrestricted investments at £359,000. Trustees will continue to monitor investment performance carefully, particularly given the geopolitical instability in the Middle East which may influence financial markets in 2026.

Expenditure Total expenditure for 2025 was £145,000, representing a reduction from the prior year primarily due to the absence of major capital projects. Wage and salary costs increased, and ongoing uncertainty—especially relating to energy costs such as heating oil in Northern Ireland—may result in additional financial pressures in 2026.

Fundraising and Stewardship

The Trustees encourage all Parishioners to consider increasing their monthly FWO contributions. Continued generosity helps sustain parish ministries, community activities, and the increasing operational costs required to deliver them. The Parish deeply appreciates the faithful and consistent support of its community.

Financial Controls and Governance

Saintfield Parish Church operates a robust dual-control system for both receipts and payments. Monthly reconciliations are completed and cross-checked to ensure accuracy and proper categorisation of all transactions. The Parish’s financial position is presented at each Select Vestry meeting, ensuring transparency and enabling informed decision-making. Trustees remain committed to maintaining strong financial governance and stewardship standards. We thank our Independent Examiners, Hamill Mcllwaine for their assistance in our preparation of Accounts for both our Parish and Charity Commission.

Going Concern Statement

The Trustees have carefully reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities without disruption. Based on this review, the Trustees are confident that the financial position of the Parish remains strong and sustainable. As a result, the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 can be signed offasa going concern, allowing us to move forward into the new year with confidence.

The Trustees have reviewed the budget for 2026 and are satisfied that sufficient funds exist to support ongoing Parish activities without disruption. They are therefore confident that the Parish remains a going concern, and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 can be signed off on this basis.

Saintfield Parish Church

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity

Chapter Ill of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.

Recruitment and Appointment ofSelect Vestry (Trustees)

All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the Parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, may register as members of the General Vestry of the Parish, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vestry. Meetings of the General Vestry are held at least once a year.

The Select Vestry is elected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served.

Pay and remuneration

The Vicar is paid according to the Diocese of Down and Dromore grading of Saintfield Parish as a ‘C’ Parish along with the Locomotory and Office expenses as passed by General Synod 2024.

Organisational Structure

The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. The Select Vestry consists of the member of the clergy serving in the Parish, two Church Wardens, two Glebe Wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the Easter General Vestry.

The Select Vestry is chaired by the incumbent (Vicar) of Saintfield Parish. Select Vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the Parish including deciding how Parish funds are to be applied. They also are responsible in establishing and maintaining the vision of the Parish, counselling the Vicar in regard to spiritual direction as well offering oversight regarding to the management of staff, safeguarding trust and property concerns. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Chairperson or the Church Wardens. In 2025 the Select Vestry met on 7 occasions. The average attendance was 82%.

Saintfield Parish Church

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

Compliance with Public Benefit

The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the Statement of Receipts and Payments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on Behalf of the Trustees

Rev. Chris Pollock

Mr Stephen Erskine

Mrs Caroline Kearney

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Date: 16 March 2026