Glenavy Parish Church Trustee’s Annual Report
1 January 2022 - 31 December 2022
Glenavy Parish Church
2A Belfast Road
Glenavy
Co Antrim BT29 4LL
NI Charity number: 101737
Trustees
Rev. Linda Cronin Trevor Wilson Alma George Heather Campbell Claire Wilson (from 27 April 2022) Lorna Addis (from 27 April 2022) Stephen Addis Rosemary Taylor John Taylor Janet Bell Stephen Campbell (from 12 October 2022) Jill Wilson Beth Brown David Steele Irene Calvert (to 27 April 2022) Frances Dunlop Derick McClurg (to 11 October 2022) Graham Chipperfield Sandra Price Maynard Porter Vicki McCullough Valerie Campbell (from 27 April 2022)
Purpose
The principal function is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of the parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the practical delivery of the tenets of Christianity.
As a result of activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Parish has custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the Parish.
Public Benefit
The charity trustees have complied with their duties in line with the Commission’s Public Benefit statutory guidance. Regular worship and reaching out into the community have been carried out successfully throughout the year to fulfil our statement of Public Benefit.
Achievements
Glenavy Parish comprises three churches - St Aidan’s Glenavy, St John’s Crumlin and St Andrew’s Tunny. Sunday morning services are normally held in each of the three churches on the first, third and fourth Sunday of the month. On the second Sunday, café style church is held in the morning, alternating between St Johns and St Aidans, with a shorter ‘said’ morning service held in the alternate church (no service is held in St Andrew’s on the second Sunday of the month). One service (from St Aidan’s, Glenavy) is filmed and streamed.
The Parish followed the NI Executive guidance and requirements in respect of COVID 19, and the ending of the associated control measures. We gradually relaxed the measures in place in each of the three churches, enabling a return to normal gathering and mixing, while at the same time ensuring provision for those who still felt vulnerable.
With the lifting of COVID 19 restrictions, the Vicar was able to provide more face-to-face pastoral care during the year, supplemented by telephone support. A confidential prayer chain also provides support for those in need.
The Open Door, ministry to older parishioners and older people in the local community, continued to maintain contact with people in the Parish, as well as non-parishioners from the wider community. With the easing of COVID 19 restrictions, it was possible to hold three ‘special’ Open Door in-person events in St Aidan’s Church hall. These were held at Easter, Harvest and Christmas, with morning coffee or afternoon tea, musical entertainment, and an opportunity for the older generation to meet together and chat. All three events were well attended and enjoyed by all.
The Open Door walking group continued to meet, providing a valuable opportunity for members to safely meet together outside, for a walk, friendship and fellowship on a Wednesday morning twice a month.
Several Saturday morning ‘pop ups’ with a sale and coffee, were organized by the ladies in St John’s Church, raising money for charity as well as a social activity for people from the church and the wider community to meet up over a cup of coffee.
At the other end of the age scale, activities are also organized for children and young people. Sunday School (for all children in attendance) meets on a Sunday morning, three Sunday’s a month during church services in each of the three churches (on the second Sunday in the month an ‘all age’ Café Style church is held, alternating between St Aidans, Glenavy and St John’s, Crumlin).
During the year several ‘family’ craft mornings were also organized for children and young people, including one at harvest (with a pumpkin theme) and at Christmas.
In May 2022 the Parish held a very successful fun day to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, supported by grant funding from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, and open to parishioners and non-parishioners alike. We were blessed with a beautiful day to enjoy a range of activities, including a display of memorabilia relating to the 70 years of the Queen’s reign, music from Dynamic Brass and the ‘Swing Gals’, with face painting and bouncy castles for the children. Everyone enjoyed strawberries and cream and a slice of celebration cake. A tree was also planted in the church grounds to commemorate the occasion.
Unfortunately, the Girls Brigade Company was unable to resume in September 2022.
The Parish continued to support a Youth for Christ project in Crumlin, including a weekly ‘drop-in’ hosted in St John’s church hall. The church halls are also used by a range of other community groups regularly.
A small number of maintenance and repairs were required and undertaken across all our churches and halls to ensure that all facilities remain safe and fit for purpose.
Safeguarding policy
Staff and volunteers have been given training in the care of under 18s and vulnerable adults, according to the guidance and principles of the Church of Ireland as set out in the policy folder ‘Safeguarding Trust’. A dedicated Church of Ireland staff member is available to us for advice by email.
The training includes awareness of both the various kinds of abuse and of behaviour which may indicate abuse has taken place; also instruction in keeping appropriate boundaries when interacting with those in their care, in keeping records of incidents or accidents, and in the use of social media and portable devices for communication. Case studies in a group setting have been found to be helpful.
Data Protection
Following the introduction of the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UKGDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Parish continues to ensure that it only collects data that is necessary and takes appropriate measures to safeguard the personal data that is held.
Governance and Organisational Structure
Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity 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 at the General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry members 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 that may be served.
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 (the incumbent), the church wardens, glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other elected members. The Select Vestry is chaired by the incumbent, and meets regularly, at times agreed by the members. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens.
Finance
The church finances are managed by the Hon Treasurer who reports monthly to the Select Vestry.
Closing balance of the church bank accounts at 31 December 2022 were:
General account £46,048.56 Building account £59,333.63 Business investment account £72.93
As well as general wages, Diocesan levies and running costs of the Parish we also regularly give to a number of local and overseas charities chosen by the Select Vestry.