**Lisburn/Eglantine/All Saints/Connor/Church of Ireland** ## **(All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish)** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** # **For the year ended 31[st] December 2023** ## **Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582** All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 1 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish** ## **Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023** ## **Contents** ||Page| |---|---| |References and administrative details of the Charity|3| |Trustees’ report|5| All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 2 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish** ## **References and administrative details** Charity Name: Lisburn/Eglantine/All Saints/Connor/Church of Ireland (All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish) Charity Registration Number: 101582 Contact Address: The Rectory 16 Eglantine Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT27 5RQ ## **Trustees** The following list shows the trustees on the date this report was approved: _Rev. J. Kernohan (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Ms H Barclay (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs M Campbell (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Dr R Cuthbert (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs A Fenton (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mr N Fenton (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mr D Finlay (17.04.23 to 31.12.23) Dr U Gillen (01.01.23 to 17.04.23) Mrs Carole Laverty (01.01.23 to 31.12.23)_ _Mr J Leckey (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Dr M Little (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs G Matchett (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs S McCormick (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs A McCutcheon (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mr D Orr (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs Ann Rosa (17.04.23 to 31.12.23) Mr G Simpson (01.01.23 to 31.12.23) Mrs R Taylor (01.01.23 to 31.12.23)_ All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 3 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **Principal Office-bearers** Clergy: Rev J Kernohan Church Secretary: Mrs A Fenton Church Treasurer: Mrs K Martin Church Warden- Clergy: Mrs Ann Rosa Church Warden - People: Mrs C Laverty ## **Independent Examiner** JM Wallwin Chartered Accountants. 74 Ballantine Gardens, Lisburn BT27 5FB ## **Bankers** Ulster Bank 18 Bow Street, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 1BN All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 4 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023** ## **CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND OBJECTS** The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish, (“the Parish”) is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of the Parish, 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 Christian religion, the Parish has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to our cultural and religious heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of the Parish. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## _**Worship**_ Worship is central to the life of the Parish. Our rich variety of worship is based on the services contained in the Book of Common Prayer, with a balance of word and sacrament. Two services of worship are held each Sunday – one at 11.00am and one at 6.00pm. Every Wednesday a celebration of the Eucharist and Intercessions for the Sick is held at 10.00am. We follow the liturgical framework of the Church of Ireland so that, in addition to the normal weekly services, we observe all the main Christian festivals as well as certain saints’ days. ## _**Children in the Parish**_ A Sunday School is available for all parish children over the age of 3. Children come to Church for the opening prayers, collects and scripture readings before moving into the Church Hall for lessons in the basics of Church of Ireland/Christian teaching. On the first Sunday of each month, children remain in Church to participate in the family service and listen to a children’s address by the Rector. On the third Sunday of each month the children come into Church to receive a blessing during Parish Communion. ## _**Pastoral Care**_ Pastoral Care is provided primarily by the Rector to any member of the parish who may so require it – e.g. the hospitalised, the sick, the elderly, the disabled, the housebound or anyone who requests for a visit. (While generally restricted to members of the Parish, pastoral care will under special circumstances be extended to anyone within the parish boundaries.) Each Monday the flowers provided for the preceding Sunday services are delivered to 2 or 3 parishioners who are ill, housebound or have suffered a bereavement etc. All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 5 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## _**Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals**_ The Rector provides help, guidance and support for the families involved before, during and after these services. _**Church Organisations**_ meet as described in the following paragraphs. _**The Church Choir**_ practises usually weekly or fortnightly and provides a lead throughout the year to Parish worship. _**A Discussion Group**_ meets weekly from September to June, led by the Rector, to examine topics relating to Anglican worship, theology, doctrine, and Biblical studies. _**The Mothers’ Union**_ (MU) meets monthly (with the exception of the summer months) with a variety of speakers. They host occasional other MUs/Ladies Groups and engage in joint functions with other MUs in the area. **Eglantine Bowling Club** meets once or twice each week, and the members compete in local competitions and tournaments. The Club also runs Summer Bowls from May until September as well as occasional other special events. The Club membership includes non-Church members and, as such, it plays an important role in reaching out to others and promoting church life within the local community. _**The Flower Arranging Class**_ meets weekly with the exception of the summer months. Non-Church members are very welcome. _**The Craft Class**_ meets on a similar basis to the Flower Class and members can work at their own speed on any project they wish. Again, it is open to non-Church members. _**A Rainbows, Brownies and Guides Unit**_ meets each Monday evening and is very popular with families in the local area. **A Youth Group** (BLAST) has been established within the last year and meets every Friday evening. ## _**Special Events**_ Occasional special events and suppers are convened to provide an opportunity for fellowship and fun within the Church and wider community and to raise monies for Church funds and charitable causes. Of particular note during the past year were a candlelit concert featuring local talented singing partners Bella Duo, a quiz night and a winter fayre. As a result of these and other activities, the Church was able to provide donations totalling £3,200 to the following charities: Dementia NI; Versus Arthritis; Friends of the Cancer Centre; Lagan Dragons; United Society Partners in the Gospel; NI Air Ambulance; and, Habitat for Humanity. On **Remembrance Sunday** wreaths are laid on the two War Memorials in the Church and on the graves of the 21 young airmen who rest in our graveyard. All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 6 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **Public Benefit - Summary** Public worship in the Parish delivers Christian witness and outreach contributing to the spiritual well-being of the participants while at the same time reinforcing Christian values. These services are open to all. Leaflets providing information on what we believe and why, are placed in the entrance of the Church. There is a parish website which gives details of our times of worship and provides information on parish activities, which are also highlighted on our Facebook page. In addition to the donations made from parish funds to local Charities, a number of parish members contribute via Missionary boxes to projects abroad. These activities indicate Christian outreach to and concern for the wider community. The children of the parish are being instructed in the Christian way of life with particular emphasis on the ethos of the Church of Ireland. While primarily for parish children all children are made welcome. Our mission and outreach to the community is reflected in all the varied activities mentioned in the previous sections which go on throughout the year. Parish organisations are not restricted to members of the parish. Access to parish records etc. is granted on request. The Trustees have established a Safeguarding Trust panel to ensure the Child Protection policy of the Church of Ireland is implemented throughout our parish. Details of Safeguarding Trust have been published in our parish magazine and information and contact numbers for panel members are displayed in the parish hall. We also adhere very strictly to our Health and Safety Policy, and routine Health and Safety inspections are conducted. There was no private benefit provided by the Parish or resulting from its activities. ## _**Compliance with Public Benefit**_ The parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for NI guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped achieve the Parish’s objectives, as well as providing public benefit. While it is difficult to quantify the achievement, benefits, influence etc. of the Parish on the individuals whose lives we touch, the Rector and the Select Vestry (Trustees) are confident that the Parish is playing its part in fulfilling the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 7 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ **Financial Review** ## **Year end Dec 31[st] 2023** ## **Receipts - £121,436.37 - increase of £16,815.66** ## **Payments - £ 96,474.52 - increase of £4,996.74** ## **Endowment – Bequests and Legacies - has increased as below** RB General unit trust £ 1,376.66 gain CIT unit trust (£502.51) loss ## **Gift Aid – increase of £3,763.09** ## **Summary** Funds remain in a strong position . Electricity / Oil prices have reduced slightly in 2023 though still remain high in comparison to previous years. We must remain vigilant on usage until prices stabilize. Our contract with Power NI has now expired , I have received a quotation going forward which I will share with subcommittee, slight reduction. Donations remain healthy with Standing orders proving to be a reliable source of valuable regular income. Spending has been minimal with only necessary repairs being made to Church and Rectory. All other costs remain within budget. ## **Reserves Policy** It is the policy of the parish to keep £15,000 in reserves to cover unforeseen emergencies and short term cashflow differences between income and expenses. This policy will be kept under review throughout the year and will be formally reviewed in 12 months’ time. ## **Going Concern** The trustees have 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 and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 8 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_ ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Governing Document and Constitution** Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs parishes and parochial organisation. Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. ## **Appointment of the Select 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 become accustomed members of the parish for at least 3 months may register for membership of the General Vestry so long as they subscribe to the funds of the parish by recorded giving either regularly or by a one-off donation. This in turn allows them to attend and vote at General Vestry meetings and to stand for election to the Select Vestry. The General Vestry meets at least once a year, and the Select Vestry is elected as part of this meeting. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a year, they may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the numbers of terms which may be served. ## **Pay and Remuneration** The Incumbent (Rector) receives a stipend in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. During 2023, the Rector received a stipend of £36330, a locomotory allowance of £7,000 and an office allowance of £925. ## **Organisational Structure** The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. It consists of the incumbent, two churchwardens, two glebe wardens and not more than 12 other members elected at the General Vestry Meeting. It is chaired by the incumbent. Members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how the funds are to be applied. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 7 times and the average attendance was 76%. ## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the Statement of Receipts & Payments and Assets & Liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 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: Geoffrey Simpson Nicholas Fenton** All Saints’ Church, Eglantine Parish Page 9 of 9 _Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC 101582_