The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, Dromore
Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023
The Trustees present the Annual Report and Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and
Liabilities for The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer. Dromore for the year ended 31 December
2023.
Objectives and Activities (the wording suppliedfor Choritable Objectives and Activities were approved by
Generolsynod in 2015.1
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The prfnclpal function of The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, Dromore is to support the
advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of The Cathedral Church of Christ
the Redeemer. Drorno￿ the whole mission of the Church, pastoral. evangelistic. social and ecumenical.
Being open to and engaging with souety 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 athIan￿Ment of the Christian religion. The Cathedral Church of
Christ the Redeemer, Dromore 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 Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, Dromore.
Achievements. Performance & Public Benefft
During the reportirE period. No.32 Church Street, the neighbouring property to the Clayton Memorial Hall.
was purchased and the front farade painted. This has secured the boundary of church properties situated
next to No.32.
The exterior of the Rectory was painted in order to improve the appearance of the property and make it
more watertight.
The Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer is situated in the heart of the town of Dromore and seeks,
through all of its activities. to have the town of Dromore, and its inhabitants. at its heart.
Principally. this has been achieved under the following headings:
Pastoral Care
The provision of funeral servi￿5 for those who have been bereaved_ The ladies of the Parish provide
funeral teas when requested by bereaved families.
The delivery of pastoral support for those who have been identified as in need or have presented
themselves as being in need of pastordl support. A structured model of visitstion to those with more acute
needs continued during the reporting period.
Staffing
During the reporting period. our Sexton left on 6th January 2023 and a new Sexton was appointed on ioth
May 2023. A new Organist was appointed on l October 2023.
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Trustee< Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)
Worship Servi
Regular Sunday serVi￿S were held at 8.30am, 10.(Xlam. 11.30am and 6.00pm. Services were also held on
Ash Wednesday, Wednesday evenings throughout the season of Lent and each evening in Holy Week.
A monthly serviTr in the Mountvale Nursing Home. was held on the first Thursday of each month for the
benefit of all residents and their famity members.
During the reporting period. a monthly seNice on the first Friday of each month was commenced in the
Beeches Fold for the benefit of the residents.
In addition to the foregoing, a number of more occasional servi￿5 were hosted, namely a service of
Installation of new Archdeacon to the Cathedral Chapter, Thanksgiving Service celebrating the 8
anniversary of the Girls, Brigade and Community Carol Se￿1￿.
A 'Big Sing, Service of music themed on kingship and a Garden Party were held to celebrate the Coronation
of King Charles.
During the reporting period, a seniice of Praise, Prayer & Testimony was held on the 1st Sunday evening of
each month. something which has been a great Sour￿ of encouragement and blessing to all in attendance.
Services for Children and Young People
The Parish provides weekly instruction in the Christian faith through the provision of Sunday School and
Girls, Brigade. Both groups are open to the whole community, Sunday School meeting on a Sunday
morning during the 10.00am service and Girls. Brigade meeting on a Tuesday evening.
A Holiday Bible Club was held for a week in August for children of primary School age.
PULSE-A Youth Fellowship for teenagers. from both the church and community. met on a Sunday evening.
8lble Study
On a monthty basis. a Parish Bible Study enabled participants to learn more about the Christian faith and
assisted them in their personal development.
Life Group
During the year. a morning Lrfe Group was held where adults were able to consider the Christian faith.
through a variety of material.
Gra￿ Course
A morning and evening Grace course was held during the reporting period, with opportunities for the wider
community to deepen the Christian faith.
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Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 {continued)
Prayer Course
A morning and evening Prayer course was held during the reporting period where people could grow and
deepen in their prayer lives.
Men United
A Men's Group was established for men of all ages within the Church to meet monthly for fellowship.
Motherg Union, MATCH, JOY. Craft Class and History Reading Group
These groups continued to meet during the reporting period.
Oirtreach and Mission
During the year, the Parish furthered the social aspect of the Gospel through support, both financial and
practical. for the work of other Christian agencies. namety Wia Wings and Youth for Christ in Dromore and
our link Diocese of Mandi in South Sudan.
Throughout the season of Lent, parishioners were encouraged. through the °Jar of Gra￿", to give, pause
and pray: the prO￿edS of the Jar of Grace were forwarded to the Diocese of Mandi to support the work
and ministry of Bethsaida Clinic through the provision of basic equipment.
Additionalty, substantial financial support was given to the DI0￿Se of Mandi in South Sudan as they
responded to the pandemic in their context with very limited resources.
SOMA Mission - During the reporting period a weekend of Mission was held with various activities and
serVI￿S to present the gospel to attendees. These activities were facilitated by an international
organisation called SOMA (Sharing of Ministrie5 Abroad).
Support for other Charlties
In September. the Parish hosted a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Can￿r SupporL
On Saturday 30th September 2023. the Dean was accompanied by ten other parishioners on a sponsored
cycle from Dromore to Newry in support of the work of Southern Area Hospice. Newry.
On Friday 9th December 2023, the Dean led a sit￿Irt in the town in aid of the work of the Southern Area
Hospice. Newry.
On Sunday 10th December 2023. the Cathedral hosted a community Carol Service with singers from all of
the schools in the town participating as well as the Parish Choir and SOMA. The offering retrived at this
service was given to the work of the Southern Area Hospice. Newry.
Ukrainian Refugee Famlly
The Cathedrdl Church family continued to provide a range of prnctical. financial and emO￿nal support to
the family who came from Ukraine to Dromore in November 2022.
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Trusteeg Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023 (continued)
The Dignity of the Person
Through everything the Parish is involved in and delrvers, the digntiy of each individual is recognised and
respected. This is specifically upheld through the Church'sSafeguardin8Trust Policy and the provision of an
environment which reflett5 each person's value in God's sight.
Cathedral Open Days
The opening of our historic Cathedral to anyone in the communty during July, August and December did
not resume during the reporting period.
Compliance with Publlc Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's gUIdan￿ on
public benefitto ensure that the activitie5 entered intoduring the year have helped to achieve the Parish's
objectives and activitie5, as well as providing public benefit.
Financial Review
General Account. The main sources of income are derived from General and Freewill Offertories. Hatvest
Gift Day and Gift Aid Tax Refunds. The total of these decreased by 4.34% overthe previous year.
Overall Cash PosTtion. The Church has 3 numberof Bank Accounts with an agg￿gate credit balance atthe
end of the year.
Cash Reserves Policy
The Trustees, policy relating to cash reserves is that sufficient funds should be held in reserve to finance
foreseeable Capital and Ministry projects.
Going Concern
TheTrustees have reviewed the budgetsfortheyearahead andare satisfied that there are adequate funds
in place to ensure thatthe Parish can continue its activities and the Financial Statementsforthe yearended
31st December 2023 can be signed off as a goin8 concem.
Structure. Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charitv
Chapter111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The
Select Vestry members are the CharityTrustees.
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TTh￿eeg Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 20231continued)
Recrultment and Appolntment of Select Vestry (Trusteesl
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 congreBation 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 stsnd 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 reelected annually and
there is no limit on the number of term5 which may be served.
pay and Remuneration
The Trustees confimi that the Incumbent is paid directty by the Parish and receives Stipend, L(Komotory
Expenses and Office Allowance in accordance with the figures approved by the General Synod of the
Church of Ireland. The Curate Assistant receives payment in accordance with the rates approved by the
Diocesan Council.
Organisational StfUtturÈ
The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. The Selert Vestry consists of
the member of the Clergy serving in the Parish. the Curate Assistant, the Church Wardens, the Glebe
Wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the General Vestry elected at the General
Vestry.
The Select Vestry is chaired by the Incumbent or other member of the Clergy officiating in the Parish.
Select Vestry members are responsible for making decision5 on matters of general concern and importan
to the Parish including deciding how Parish funds are to be applied.
The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members. Special meetings may be convened at any time by
the Chairperson or the Church Wardens subject to adequate notice being given. In 2023 the Select Vestry
met 11 times during the year and the average attendan￿ was 86%.
StatÈmÈht of Trustees. Responsibllltles
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trusteeg Report and the Statement of Re￿ipts ar
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,(lJJ requires the Trustees
to prepare a Statement of Income and Expenditure and a Statement of Assets and Liabilities for each
financial year.
The Trustees are ￿sponSible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the
Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any ttme 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 detettion of fraud and other irregularities.
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Trustee< Annual Report for the year ended 315t December 2023 (continued)
Independent Examlner
The Independent Examiner. S M Vint & Co, have indicated their willingness to continue in office, and a
resolution cOn￿mIng their re-appointment was passed at the Annual General Vestry Meeting.
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
Very Revd S G Wilson
Mr S P Cochrane
Date: 19 August2024
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